PNT day three – miles 26.5 – 26.5

Total GPS mileage for the day: 0

Total elevation gain: 0 vertical feet

Listened to: Erin’s Diary by Lisa McGee

Mood: 🙃

Weather: 🌧️⛅️

Steps taken: 2882

Well, I took an unplanned zero day today (for those not up on hiking lingo, a zero day is a day where you don’t hike, a zero mileage day). I certainly didn’t expect to take a zero two days into the trip but my feet haven’t been fully dry in a couple of days and they’re starting to look a little bit worse for the wear. I’m also having some chaffing on my legs, I think due to having wet pants all day every day. Additionally, it’s supposed to rain today but be better tomorrow. So this morning, I was able to change my permits so I could stay here at Goat Haunt another night and then go to Bowman Lake tomorrow.

I feel a little embarrassed taking a zero so early in the trip but it’s also too early in the trip to be having foot problems so I need to nip that in the bud. Plus I decided I could really use a day off before a 15+ mile day to Bowman Lake. It gave me a chance to dry out and rest and recuperate a little.

I’m also having difficulty eating. My appetite is always poor in the backcountry but the last two days, I feel nauseated immediately after eating for an hour or so afterwards. Plus it’s not fun to eat in the rain so I’ve been taking very short lunch breaks on the trail. As a result, I haven’t been eating much so now I’m feeling the effects of burning 3000+ active calories per day while only eating less than 1500. I’m hoping with some rest and a chance to fully rehydrate, eat whenever I can and drink some electrolytes, that will improve as well.

I got to meet another PNT hiker today, the first I’ve met so far. And apparently I’m trail famous, he knew who I was before I even said hello. He had been told to watch for the girl in orange. He also said he saw a grizzly bear in the same spot I thought I might have seen one my first day on trail. So that makes me think I was right.

I took a long nap, ate more than I have since I started the trail and charged all my electronics. I also had a tiny bit of cell service out of Canada so I was able to talk to my wife which made me feel a lot better too. It was a good day and the weather seems to be improving so hopefully that bodes well for the next two days to Polebridge. I struggle with so many consecutive days of rain, it really affects me both physically and emotionally.

There’s a motto in long distance hiking that says “Hike your own hike,” sometimes shortened to HYOH. It means don’t worry about how many miles others are doing, what gear they’re carrying, where and how often they stop, or anything else. Just do what is right for you and don’t compare yourself. I’m trying to remember that, that I may be taking an early zero today but there will be other days that I’ll be hiking through while others are stopping. Happy Trails!