Back in the incredible glass shelter in East Glacier, recently shower and well fed, I look back in the last 5 days of walking through the glacier National Park.
The backdrop
It is true, there is so much wildlife that you can see here. I saw several Grizzlies, an alce, Bighorn sheep, mountain goats, a pigmeo owl and many marmers, land and squirrel squirrels.
The landscape was really majestic and impressive. Being Swiss, I am used to beautiful mountains. But the glacier was something else, sincerely.
Glacier National Park is impressive.
The conditions are incredible. When we were inside, there were only 3 small snowfields to cross. It is not necessary, not risky, no traction is needed.
Bunny Bugs, a friend of the PCT, with whom I have walked about 600 miles (1,000 km) in Noctal and Oregon, went down from Alaska to join me during the first month. He arrived in Switzerland for a brief visit last year too, and I must say that I have never spent a bad time with insects. He is a super fun hiking partner and I feel very lucky to start this long way with him.
This was the beautiful and incredible backdrop for my time in Glacier. That said, it was a true roller coaster emotionally. Let’s start the trip.
When Bugs and I arrived at the East Glacier, we were deprived of sleep and a little disoriented. The entire mood was very different from that of a bubbling pc city. Do not be evil, the city is incredible! And the glass viewpoint is a paradise through the hiker. It was just a bit different.
The only ones
There are fewer hikers who are heading south on the CDT than in the north direction on the PCT. All in the shelter had already walked through the National Park, so Bugs and I were the only ones who were heading to the northern terminal to more than 80 miles to the north.
Hitching to the extreme north.
We expect the worst of the downpour, but we still stayed for almost an hour in a soft drizzle, to get a hitch. It took us two different cars to reach the terminal, where we were the only ones again.
Cold and soon wet, we start with a muddy and slippery path.
«This is no longer the southern California.»
Soon, we stumble upon the first impression of the bear leg deeply printed on the soft mud. Then fresh scat. So, even more and more leg impressions.
Welcome to Glacier National Park. This is no longer the PCT.
Bango and slippery path with the first bear print
Great mountains
We were «Hey -Bear», a lot while we slide and slide along a narrow mud path through the lush weed and a valley.
A lot of weeds the first day.
After an hour, the landscape developed before us: a wide valley, a bed of a natural river, huge and impressive mountains around us. The clouds separated and soak the sun as we walked on wild flowers, scarcely mottled with groups of young poplars.
It was absolutely impressive.
A different permissions system
During the rest of this short day, we followed a small stream until we arrived at Camp Elizabeth Lake, where we were supposed to be.
For the CDT, there is no general permissions lottery as for the PCT; Instead, you must organize your national park permits yourself. With that, you can’t simply start your trace and see how far it comes. The park ranger gives him a permission for a different camp for each night, and will have to continue with that itinerary. Very different from Happy-Go-Lucky stumbling with the Socal desert in the first month of the PCT.
That first night on the path, I slept little. I was not lying in my store paralyzed by fear, listening to every sound that came from the forest that surrounds us. But somehow my subconscious kept me alert and awake. So my second day began even more tired.
Beautiful, but not my best sleep night.
New path, old problems
The landscape was new and exciting, but I was very tired walking through that first pass. My old lesion for excessive use really began to bother me. It hurt a lot.
In the pass, we saw our first brown. A great man with enthusiasm running from one place to another, hunting squirrels and ducks. Once, the impressive bear even followed a duck in the lake, splashing while swimming behind him.
Even with this emotion, the day felt long and hard, since the pain was hitting me and worried me.
A little breakdown
When we arrived at our camp next to the Many Glacier Hotel, I knew I needed a collector. So we already had great hamburgers of the city on day 2nd envy to the northern linings that would celebrate their walk here.
Perhaps it was sleep deprivation that had accumulated for days. Maybe it was concern and frustration for my injuries. Or the intense «hiker bearings» resulting from them. Maybe it was the warm and fatty food that tired me so much. It was probably all of the above, but when I slowly crawled down the stairs to the place of our camp, I suddenly began to laugh hysterically: «What have I get in? I’m never going to get to Mexico!» Laughter became a desperate groan. Bugs stopped and turned to me. «Wait, are you real?» «Yes, insects! I’m having a small mental breakdown … but let’s continue walking towards stores, we don’t stop.»
Then, we continue to limp the stairs laughing a hiker on day 2. On how you should never quit on a bad day, again, especially if it is day 2. And when we were in the bears box, brushing our teeth, I told Bugs Bunny about my sixth grade students writing and singing a song for me. I never thought he would need his words of breath as soon as I thought about his lyrics that night.
A good night of sleep
I know through Hoking. It’s not about feeling better all the time. Nothing in life, is I right? But it is important to move on
Like bugs and I did on that ladder. Keep ahead for now, keep walking until you are in your comfortable store and have slept well. Fortunately, I finally had that night.
The next morning, everything turned to better.
We had a 28 -mile (45 km) day in front of us, so I gave my more special breakfast gachas that Bugs had brought me from Alaska.
The park rangers of the park that had issued our permission a few days ago had noticed next to the impression «Millaja not advised» but also «Tru-Hikers». We had walked for a long time on the PCT together and we both feel safe in the Ranger office.
Now, we went for coffee at the strange Swiss theme store of the hotel and we left quickly, knowing that it could be a long day for me with my wounds.
I had been stretching, unfolding my foot and taking my supplements meticulously, and seemed to show: I was able to walk with little or no pain. We walked along the picturesque current where Bugs had seen an Alce swimming, while sitting in the hotel lobby yesterday. But today there are no alces, only a lot of birds and different flowers. Slow but constantly, the path first took us to the morning’s glacier waterfall. I had been taking the initiative for a while, and something about advancing to this beautiful meadow with mountain cliffs and bright calculations while calling «Hello bear!» Aloud made me feel so strong.
«With every step I feel strong»My students had sung me: «With every step I feel strong.» I felt that he leaked in me and saturated my bones. It was magical! I had a pass in front of me and up was especially difficult for my wounds. But it was fine. Better than good. All doubts have gone, I enjoyed every step and ran through the pass on the other side.
«A heavy backpack but your heart puts light. I swear, you are destined for this life. Your heart is very wild and free.»
Something was changing in my mentality. After stumbling with astonishment through unknown landscapes for 2 days and crying for general exhaustion the other night, now everything began to feel natural and familiar.
I thought for myself: «I’m back, baby!»
Back on the way
I am back pushing through the thick weed, the disgustingly hot moisture of the morning dew that comes out of the sun.
I returned to the look of disbelief and fascination in people’s faces when they ask me where I go.
Gather Huckleberries again on the fly. Just mature now, but even tasty.
Back in Huckleberries and seriously gross sunhouse.
Asked again how I got so quickly (seriously, I rinsed in that transmission!).
I am cold back soaking my couscous and being a really proud chef when eating it.
I returned to the cosmetics of the hikers of the Odor Day from distance (do everyone use coconut conditioner these days?) And wondering if they also smell. Because I have smelled myself again. Not in good sense.
I’m back running after bugs trying to catch up. But it seems to be back in walking quickly. In addition, I am probably not writing thoughts like these while walking.
Loving my sweet coffee Sweet Trail coffee again with unique passion.
I am back on the wounded feet, the legs of cramps, the pinched neck and «Yes, I can continue!»
I am back to dig Catholes and I look forward to the toilets for hours.
I am back to calculate miles, snacks and water is on the fly.
I’m back to be «Cruisy» and «destroyed» and «Send it» and «Be slow.»
I am back in the sensation of extension of overcoming the crest, feeling the wind in my sweaty face and finally get all the views.
Ask me if there is something more cozy than getting into my sleeping bag.
I am back to wake up before dawn and be happy to do everything again.
I’m back on the road.
