Day 11 – Slacking Over to Copper

Between the town of Breckenridge and the resort of Copper is one very tall mountain ridge that runs for miles. It’s about 7 miles up, 3 and half miles of ridge line and 5 miles back down. There are super amazing views because so much of it above tree line.

Unfortunately this is also the section that took out my feet four years ago. Because of the free bus system, it’s easy to do the whole thing in one go as a slack pack. I was limping waiting for the bus. Slack packing is where you leave your stuff with a person or in a hotel room and hike with just water and snacks. And here in Colorado your rain gear & sunscreen because you never know.

This time John did the hike over the mountain while I rested my feet another day. Having a car meant he could start at 6 am instead of waiting for the bus. While I tapped and shipped boxes of food, John climbed over the ridge.

Having a car also meant I could pick him up just when he finished at 12:30 because it was starting to rain for real. If I had gone, it would have taken us hours longer.

No luck replacing John’s beachball shaped pillow at REI. No luck on more Saltstick’s either. John and I are kind of the opposite- I need to make sure I drink enough water, and John needs to make sure he doesn’t drink too much without taking electrolytes.

One more visit to the grocery store for snacks and Old Bay. On trail you want your food to taste more. Saltier, spicier, sourer and more like Old Bay.