I decided to stay at this awesome shelter, an old barn with amazing views. I arrived late in the afternoon and thus decided not to push the nine extra miles to the next hostel. The weather was bitter cold and we were expecting low temps and freezing rain. SURPRISE. We woke to about 5-8 inches on snow and crazy winds. "Know-so" who was sleeping next to me had packed up at 5 am covered in snow and chilled to the bone to hike into town ASAP. I didn't even hear him leave. I am beyond thankful that I have not sent home my winter gear, as most hikers have.
The nine miles were arguably the hardest thus far. As I post holed through the snow, and pushed on upward over a bald exposed to brutal, bone chilling, knock you sideways winds I began to cry. I thought why!? I thought about frostbite on my fingers and face. I looked down, attempting to find footprints ahead of me that were too soon wind swept over. "I just need to keep going. Just keep walking. You just need to get over this bald and back into the woods. It can't be that much further. Thank god I have these trekking poles. I can't feel my fingers. Just keep walking. This is steep. Where is the top? You can do this. My god this sucks. I just need to get back in the woods. Is this even the trail?"
Needless to say I made it! Misery loves company, and I am in a hostel, warm, full and joking about today with a room full of hikers!
What a day!!!!
Awesome view from shelter!
Just making some dinner!
Frost making potatoes
Saint filtering his water
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