Posted by 26.6 miles
Based on the south side of town for the last few days I had four mile to walk through town. I looked at the option of caching an Uber through town but it was just too expensive and too long to wait for four mile. I started to walk expecting it would take an hour and a half.
Only a quarter mile from the motel a random hiker on his way to work saw me and pulled up offering a ride. Normally I’d be a bit suspicious when random people stop when my thumb is not out however I quickly judged from the fancy car with leather interior that this was genuine offer so wasn’t worried and jumped in. I’ve forgotten his name but the drivers work was in the opposite direction to where I needed to get to. He went out of his way, turning around, to get me to the trail head. He was an environmental scientist for one of the mines in the area.
I had more roads ahead for the morning before eventually reconnecting with the Red Line around 11:30am.
With a seven day resupply my pack was super heavy and I was keen to off load some weight by taking an early lunch. Not all of my food fits into my bear proof bag so it will be interesting tonight. I will have no option but to store some food in my pack inside my tent. All will be double bagged in smell proof bags and then put inside my pack liner.
The Redline was single track for the rest of the day and some of the best groomed trail so far.
Late in the afternoon I pulled up at a spring late to top up water and met some south bounders. They told me of trail magic at the next road junction.
Sure enough a couple of coolers with ice cold drinks and snacks. I grabbed a can of coke and bottle of Gatorade.
I put in a marathon and ended up camping just off the side of the trail in a saddle after the last climb of the day.
I wandered down trail to cook dinner away from my tent. I’m not sure if the smell attracted a grizzly or a deer had just wandered into camp but returning to my tent 5 minutes later I see a flash of movement and an orange body dart away and crash through the scrub. It was getting dark and I didn’t get a really good look to confirm what it was. The wind was at my back and the animal likely smelt me before seeing me. It was a mere 20 metres from my tent.
Just to be sure I took every precaution with food storage overnight, walking my main food bag well away from the tent and securely tying it to a suitable tree and double bagging all remaining items with a scent in my pack. Bear spray will be kept handy tonight.
Thunder storms passed over as the sun went down bringing some light rain. I’m hoping it might clear the smokey air.
Mick Beckers 