April 17, 2007

Ed, the owner of the Bluebird Cottage Inn, provided transportation back to the trailhead at Highway 74.  Ed and I began our hike today in gloriously beautiful weather.  I wanted to be able to enjoy the beauty of this part of the trail.  The crisp morning air and the clear blue skies afforded me that opportunity.  I hiked to an elevation of 6780 feet which has been my highest to date.  There were several blowdowns blocking the trail which was an additional challenge.  Doing the limbo with a heavy pack under a monstrous tree hurts.  Stepping over a monstrous trunk with my pack hurts, too.  I was sure to bang my poles all around the blowdowns to warn any snakes.

At one point, Ed and I hiked upon a snow patch.  In it was a perfectly sculpted snowball.  Yep...I threw it at Ed.  Ed suggested that Guy probably made the snowball knowing we'd put it to good use.  We hadn't seen Guy for three days, but Ed's remark was right on.  Within minutes, we hiked upon Guy who was taking a break trailside.  Guy informed us that Brew Crew, a German hiker, had formed the snowball.  The four of us...Ed, Guy, Brew Crew, and I all camped a mile off the PCT at Cedar Springs Camp.  I've yet to meet another woman thru-hiker.

It is cold tonight and I'm bundled up in all of my clothes inside my Cocoon liner inside my zero degree bag.  I'm cozy and just hanging out listening to the wind.  "Be sure to take the time each day to just sit still and listen."