PNT day 4 – miles 26.5 to 42.1

Total GPS mileage for the day: 17.54 miles

Total elevation gain: 2662 vertical feet

Listened to: Unfollow by Megan Phelps-Roper for a little while but mostly I sang The Brady Bunch theme song at least 500 times

Mood: 😊

Weather: ☀️☀️ highs in the upper 70’s

Steps taken: 41,748

Whew today was a day. I’m really glad I took that zero yesterday because today would have killed me. As it was, it was one of the better days I’ve had on trail. I went up and over Brown’s Pass which had no snow and amazing amazing views. Like jaw-dropping amazing. I took so many pictures. I just kept stopping to look. I’m very clumsy so if I hike while looking at the scenery, I will definitely fall.

Speaking of which, I took my first two falls of the trip today. Both times were on over-grown sections of trail where I tripped on a root or rock that I couldn’t see. I’m fine, just a little bruised. The second time I fell into a patch of stinging nettles because I’m talented. Luckily I remembered that the crushed up leaves of broad leaf ferns will sooth stinging nettles and I felt very proud of myself when that worked.

My appetite and nausea issues seem to be improving. I made a concentrated effort today to stop every couple of hours and rehydrate and eat a small amount of food. I was able to finish almost everything I had allocated for today which is probably twice as much food as I’ve had any other day this trip. That’s an especially good thing because my watch says I burned over 4000 active calories today.

Mentally it was a good day. I had a hard time at the end but the sun was out all day and I mostly felt happy to be on the trail and see the amazing sights of Glacier.

Physically I also felt pretty good most of the day. The last 2-3 miles I was really struggling, my feet were very sore, my legs and my hips were complaining with every step and mentally I was exhausted after almost 11 hours on the trail. I think 17 miles is too much for me at this point in time but I did it and I’m proud of myself! I’ll probably stick to 14-15 mile days for a little longer.

I dragged myself into camp here at Head Bowman Lake and got to eat dinner with some other hikers staying here. I also ran into that PNT hiker I met at Goat Haunt yesterday morning. I have a feeling we will keep leapfrogging each other for a while. I’ve discovered the secret to me eating dinner and not skipping it is to eat before I set up my tent. Once I get in my tent I’m done.

Today marked some fun milestones though! I’m officially on the longest backpack trip of my life as I passed the 40 mile mark. Today was also the longest day I’ve ever carried a full pack (not a day hike) and I *think* it’s the second longest day I’ve ever hiked period.

Tomorrow is a town day which means I’ll be done with my first of twelve legs of the trip! I have an easy 14 miles into Polebridge where I’ll pick up my first resupply box, hopefully take a shower and do some laundry and get a pastry from the famous Polebridge Mercantile. I’m hoping to make it into town by mid-late afternoon and spend the evening hanging out in town. I’m not sure yet if I’m going to stay in town or try to hike out in the evening. It’s a bit up in the air. Last night in Glacier tonight!