Trekking/Hiking 3:30:00 [3]
shoes: Montrail Mountain Masochist
We set the alarm for 6:00, packed up and were on the trail just before 8 with the goal of trying to get done around lunchtime. Our packs were lighter and our spirits high as we rehashed all of the jokes we'd been sharing over the past few days. Although they won't make sense to anyone else, we came up with a whole host of what we believe are lucrative business ideas, including:
- brie flavoured energy gel
- a new TV show for kids where Kristen is a nature detective
- a mountaintop countertop business (but we don't deliver)
- wine gums that actually have wine in them
- Squeal - a vegetarian dehydrated fake bacon product
- Mrs. Tiny's backcountry fusion cookbook
The weather was a bit sketchy again today with threatening clouds that fortunately didn't turn to rain until we were down The Crack and on our way back to George Lake. We got to the East end just after 12:00 and celebrated with a group hug before bemoaning the trek back on the park roads to our car in the pouring rain. We drank a beer (okay, two of us did, and then split Mrs. Tiny's), ate some chips, changed, and then started the journey home.
I am so so glad that we managed to get this adventure in this summer. The park and the trail were stunning and while my dogs were barking by the end of each day, I absolutely loved it and can't wait to try something longer. If I were to do this trail again, I'd take at least 1-2 more days to be able to enjoy the campsites and mountain tops along the way even more, as we were always conscious that we had to keep moving. I am especially grateful that Mrs. Tiny and Allison agreed to join me on this adventure as we had so much fun together. Mrs. Tiny's previous backcountry experience was invaluable and Allison broke some massive physical and mental boundaries. We are all a bit bug bitten, rashy, bruisy, scratchy and tired today but also all agreed (well 2/3 so far) that we wished we were still out on the trail again this morning!
Actual trail time was 4:15 with 45 minutes deducted for stops.