Stumbling on tricky trails

Day 117

Date: 26.08.2022

CDT Mile: Mile 2'353.5

Miles hiked: 25.3 miles / 40.5 km

Elevations: 5'673 feet ascent (1'730.2 m Aufstieg) / 6'726 feet descent (Abstieg 2'051.5 m)

Camping at: 7'687 feet / 2'344.5 m

I hardly slept last night. My tent wasn't pitched on a levelled ground, therefore I wasn't comfortable. But we hiked out to a beautiful sunrise on a ridgeline with breathtakings view. From the fire close to the town of Salmon a light smoke fog was over the mountains in the distance and the sunrise added its beautiful colors, making it very mystical. We started off with a very long downhill climb. Even though it was steep and for the most parts on hard rocky ground (easy to trip over rocks), we made good progress. Then an uphill followed. Today was either uphill or downhill in the forest or burned area, all day long! I stumbeled once very hard and just about managed to not fall on my knees and hands! I think that I re-hurt my right hip/ leg again, when trying to avoid a fall. I was so annoyed! It hurted quite a lot again and I kept on humbling on. Apparently, also Cheetah tripped over the same root and was not sure if she broke her big toe (doesn't seem to be broken). I will see tomorrow morning how it goes, it got a little better in the afternoon. My right leg and hips have been better the last two days. I need an hour in the morning where it is still painful and I struggle a little, but once my muscles are warmed up, it doesn't hurt much anymore.

Once we reached Big Hole Pass, right on the boarder line between Idaho and Montana, we stopped for lunch and hiked nearly 14 miles by then. After lunch we mostly climbed through a burned area, which was massive, from a last years wildfire. This section of the trail was being closed and has just been re opened this year. It included many steep climbs and beautiful views over forestry hills and mountains (if not burned!). But luckily some trail sections have been made new, cutting out 2 steep climbs! However, today I kept on tripping over rocks or roots. Not as hard anymore as in the morning but it still isn't good. I don't know if I am more tired cause I didn't sleep well last night, or if I don't lift up my leg high enough while hiking because it hurts and hence keep on stumbling.

We stopped for dinner at 6 pm near a spring before we hiked on less than a mile more and found a beautiful camp spot in the (not burned) forest. We haven't seen any other people or hikers today. Tomorrow it's only 6 miles to Darby, and I am already looking forward to breakfast. I hope we get a hitch soon!

---