Date: 2015-06-30
From: Smarts Mountain

To: Glencliff
Miles today: 20.1

Despite having not slept on my roll mat for days, I fell asleep quickly and only woke up a couple times. The sleeping pills have really been a game changer on this hike. I woke up at 6 and looked out the shelter window. I could see blue skies and everything looked wonderful. It was really a beautiful morning, so it was a shame that I was stuck in the shade, stomping through mud puddles. By 7.30am, my feet had been submerged in mud multiple times, despite my best efforts. The trail was also like a path of destruction. There seemed to be hundreds of fallen trees that covered the trail, and I had to figure out ways around them. At some point, I lost a sock liner and my little sweat towel, which I had been drying on my pack. Now I just have one sock liner, which is incredibly useless. I think they must have gotten caught on a branch when I fell over. The morning wasn't too bad aside from the mud. It was a good hike down. But then there was a hike up Cube mountain. It was a bit rough, and got harder at the top. There was a rocky climb, but it was made even worse because there were no white blazes. I spent literally ten minutes wandering around this rocky ledge trying to find the trail, since there were no blazes and no indication of where to go. I eventually found the trail behind some fallen trees. I soon learned that instead of white blazes, the trail was indicated by piles of balanced rocks. This was extremely dumb. The rest of the day seemed to go by in a bit of a blur. The mountains were unpleasant to climb. I ended up stopping for lunch in a section that was filled with a million mosquitoes. It was a bit of a challenge to eat with my head net, but I managed. About 3pm, the rain started again. At least there was enough tree cover, so I stayed dry, at least my upper body was. Still, by then I was really tired of my feet getting constantly muddy and wet. I had a moment where I felt extremely bored with the trail. It was just so monotonous. At least the podcasts gave me something to focus on. I wonder how many hours of podcasts I've actually listened to these past few months. I eventually got to the road crossing and made my way to the hostel. The hostel is cheaper than some in the north, with good reason. The shower and toilet are separated from the house, under a tarp outside. The bunks are house in a building that's probably worse built than most shelters. There are significant gaps between the wood panels, I can see outside. It is at least dry and I'm warm. There is an added bonus to this hostel though- so many of my hiker friends are here. Big Ben, 10 Speed, Sputnik, Brother Luie, Not Yet. There were so many times when I said and heard "I thought you were ahead of me!" Odie took myself and Sputnik to the shop (also petrol station). I only needed a couple snacks, and got some cereal and chocomilk. Most of the hikers here tonight are planning to zero tomorrow because of the poor weather. I'm considering it too, even though I really don't want to. I just want to get into the Whites, but we are predicted a thunderstorm and heavy rain tomorrow. I absolutely do not want to go into the Whites and go above the tree line if I'm going to be completely exposed to a storm at nearly 5,000 ft.