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Day 74
We prove that we don’t need snow to get lost. When we do find the trail, we’re soon treated to our first view of Mt. Lassen. For quite some time I’ve noticed Pete’s feet rolling more & more inward when he walks. Foot pain forces him to don our already-worn spare pair of shoes, and…
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Day 73 (Pete)
In all yesterdays rain we forgot to notice, or celebrate, that it was an entirely snowless day. There was not a speck. The last time that happened was our descent into Kennedy Meadows twenty two trail days ago. There were patches here and there; but, I didn’t have to put my foot in any of…
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Day 73
The rain stops, but the plants hanging over the trail still retain plenty of water to keep us soaked. A long descent lands us in Belden Town. To keep it short, we end up in a trailer/bar/buffet. We eat and the locals drink, and everyone is the butt of a few jokes. At dusk we’re…
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Day 72 (Pete)
It began pouring about a minute after I capped the pen. It lasted all night. We packed up in the rain. We ate breakfast in the rain. We ate lunch in the rain. It didn’t rain during dinner! We did pitch the tent in the rain. Right now its raining. All our cloths are wet.…
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Day 72
It rains all night, then all day. We learn what it’s like to have no escape from it for a day. We imagine we might find out what it’s like to live for several days in it. Not comfortable. At least we are not trying to travel through a drought with only one water bottle.…
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Day 71 (Pete)
Both today and yesterday I have felt very weathered. Perhaps I am getting sick. Maybe its just two bad days in a row. It hasn’t happened before. That, however, is no reason that it wouldn’t be happening now. We spent the entire day traversing wooded ridges. Seldomly we would descend down into an overgrown canyon…
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Day 71
I’ve adjusted my pack, my routine, and my sleeping position to ease my lower back & hips, and it may be helping. It’s easier to walk this morning. The land is lush, rain threatens throughout the day. I try to retain my optimism to help Pete – he complains of feeling a little sick. Really…
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Day 70 (Pete)
The light was pretty much gone as we hurriedly ate a desert of mom cookies. As there have been clouds looming all evening, we used the last bit of day to pitch ol’ blue land. Now I can lay down and recount the days events by head lamp. Every building in Sierra City could qualify…
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Day 70
When we pack up in the morning, my hip is so painful that I can barely walk. I’m thrown into a dark mood, I can no longer ignore the doubts I’ve been having. Pete really proves the strength of his friendship to me when we discuss the possiblility of ending the trip early. He somehow…
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Day 69 (Pete)
After four days to Burney Falls we will be half way done with the miles, sort of. The things I have learned so far: The world is very large and can be imposing. I am very small. Yet, I have the ability to move across it as I please; and, in many ways, I have…