CDT Thru-Hike Week 7. Indian Peak Wilderness Colorado

Blow-Downs Blow.

Devils thumb and the hike up to it were great. Nice tread, amazing views, and friendly hikers. But coming down into the blow-downs before Grand Lake sucked.

The slowest 1/2 mile on the trail took over an hour. Trees on top of trees on top of trees. Sometimes I was 20 feet off the ground. Trees were laying in every direction. Tops of trees were shredded with the shrapnel dispersed between the branches waiting to cut my legs. It looked as if a tornado hit.

I carefully walked from tree to tree seldom touching the ground. The stubby branches cut at my legs and my pack. Thankfully someone marked the route with pink ribbon.

Finaly I saw the end with a trail crew patiently cutting away with hand saws one log at a time. I thanked them for their service and hiked the miles of trail they had been cutting since last September’s wind storm.

 

 Grand Lake, Colorado

My backpack thru-hiked the AT and the PCT but sadly it wasn’t going to make the whole CDT. I named my pack “St. Bernard” after the story of the patron St. Bernard. Easing the burdan of hikers of the alps. And supplying rescue dogs in times of help.

My pack had a hugging feeling to me. It had my sweat, blood and tears. And adventures through the years. I called Osprey packs and they sent me a new one to Never Summer Outfitters.

I was very stinky so I jumped in the lake at the town park and then headed to the shop. Next I was directed to the back of the store where I loaded all my gear into my new pack. It was sad to say goodbye but my new pack felt great.

 

Before leaving I played a song on my trekking pole flute. The owner, a Big Agnus rep. and some employees filmed me as I played. An employee had a degree in flute performance. When she played, it was amazing. Vibrato and all.

I took my pack and headed to resupply and do laundry. Lots of thru-hikers were hanging at the laundromat. Most of us slept behind a local church.

 

 

 

 

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