A Frozen World

• Day:  2
• Start:  10.4
• End:  24.2
• Miles:  13.8
• Hours:  10
• High temp:  41
• Low temp:  28
• People met:  25 thru hikers


I wake to a hard frozen morning, my tent polar are frozen to the grommets. My hands ache after breaking camp. I start hiking straight away to hasten the heat generating. I'm wearing two additional layers plus my gloves. Blessed warmth comes soon as the hike is uphill. A forest if rhoadies, no blooms yet, graces the trail. They are a refreshing break from the bare forest.


 


 

Views from the trail



The is plenty of water here, I'm carrying 2 liters, but could get by with 1. 


By noon the forest warms about all its going too and I drop 1 layer. 


 

The first real view


 

The first hint of Spring at Woody Gap


I pass a granite marker honoring  a teacher, Woody, who taught school for logging town children in 1906. 


Cloud cover starts in and the forecast is for rain followed by snow tonight. I reach Lance Creek my designated camp location. The place is packed with hikers, I estimate 23. I move on, climbing out of the draw looking for a flat spot that is unused. I find just a perfect spot out of sight of the trail and level with just enough drainage to keep the water away from my tent. I setup expecting rain and snow.  Rain starts in spurts as expected, then continues at a steady pace. So far my pitch is keeping me dry. Once again spent and sore from the trail, I happily welcome my bed and sleep.