Posted by 0.0 miles
Today was a fantastic zero day off in town catching up with friends, relaxing and finalising some chores.
A sleep in was well needed for recovery.
Unfortunately on checking emails, it looks like my credit card details had been stolen and a number of unauthorised purchased made in Sydney. It was a scramble to cancel this card and set up a new digital one I can use over here as the physical replacement would take way too long to send over to the US. The bank was awesome, answered my call at what ever time in the evening it was at home and had me sorted out in 20 minutes. They will lodge disputes and fraud investigations on my behalf. Luckily the fraudsters only ripped around $750 off my card – it could have been much more.
I was treated to a home cooked breakfast of eggs, potato hash and coffee – always a good thing.
My last night camping before Monarch Pass my sleeping mat developed a new hole and slow leak. With access to a bathtub I was able find it and patch it with supplies readily on hand from my hosts. It pays to stay with hikers!
POD drove me to the post office so I could send my ice axe and some other gear home but unfortunately it was closed being the federal holiday of Juneteenth. That’s ok we’ll return tomorrow before heading back to the pass.
Next it was off to Walmart for a resupply. We spotted X-Ray walking the road on the way and POD immediately pulled over to offer him a ride further up the road to Poncha Springs. The look on his face when the car pulled up and I stuck my head out to say “What’s up X-Ray?”. We saved him a few road miles in 90 degree heat which he was stoked with. Continuing onto Walmart I purchased my resupply in no time. By now it’s pretty much a standard menu with the occasional trial of new foods. This resupply will have to fit into a new bear proof bag which I’ll carry from this point forward having purchased and mailed to Disco & POD’s house a few weeks ago. I looked to purchase one before leaving Australia however the cost plus shipping was way too prohibitive. Much easier to purchase over here.
Anyone with in an interest in sport will know the Soccer World Cup is on at the moment. What I didn’t know was that Australia was playing the US and my hosts along with a bunch of their friends set up a special screening of the match along with BBQ skewers of steak, shrimp and veggies; Vegemite and cheese toasties, followed by an chocolate cake to die for whipped up by POD. And of course beer. Some Fosters came out but who drinks that?
It has been the day off I needed to rest, reset and refocus ahead. I’m recommitted to hike the next section and we’ll go from there. X-Ray will be a day ahead but it would be good to catch up with him on trail if can catch him over the next 6 days.
Mick Beckers 