Day Before Tomorrow

It’s dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door.  You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet there’s no telling where you’ll be swept off to.  ~Bilbo Baggins

Last pre trip post!  As promised, a bit of gear talk prior to the trail.  As well as a few of my pre trip musings and goings on in East Glacier village.

The Gear

If you’re interested in a fairly complete list, my profile has a public gear list.  It was helpful for me for organization.  And to see roughly what my pack base weight is.  Apparently around 16 lbs for now.  There are odds and ends I have that I may trim later.  I have more luxury items than I did for the PCT.  Though most of my gear is lighter than what I used then. Perk of having a ‘real’ job vs being a ski bum, I suppose.

In particular, the camp shoes will be a nice addition.  If yesterday’s hike is any indication, then this will be much wetter  than the PCT.

The Feelings

I’ve spent the past few days on the train here and hanging about Luna’s hostel.  It has given ample time for various conflicting emotions to bubble up prior to starting the hike.  Excitement and nervousness as well as both self-doubt and confidence.  I’m sure I’ll feel better once I’ve actually started, though.

The last weekend prior to leaving, my uncle passed away.  There isn’t a realistic way that I can go to the funeral, however, between the permits, commitments, and having time to complete the actual trip before winter hits Colorado.  It does leave me with some feelings of sadness, guilt, and selfishness, though.

Pre-trip Slackpack

Yesterday I slack packed the section of trail between East Glacier and the Southern border of the park.  Slackpacking is simply backpacking but with the overnight gear taken out of the pack.  Also sometimes called hiking, but slack packing is fancier.

Anyhow, it’s about 15* miles long.

Edit – Apologies for the sideways portrait, still learning the ins and outs of this mobile interface.

Aside from being a warm up, it cuts almost a day’s worth of hiking from the section between East Glacier village and the Benchmark ranch. I’m anticipating that being one of the harder food hauls of the trip, so anything to make it a bit easier is welcome.

Final thoughts

Wrapping up as the hostel is getting crowded and pushing the limits of the wifi here.  Accidentally lost the first draft of this post due to it.  Hitting the trail tomorrow.  Next stop Chief Moutain, then East Glacier again!