There are thirteen of us in town right now. All of that group will be
starting from Cheif Mtn. The ranger said it’d be “extremely stupid to
try the highline now”. I hear that a few SOBOers started that today,
and I’ve heard that there are six people who have started from Cheif.
I’m leaving this evening. Guests are coming in an hour for a backyard
bash of falafels and wine. My pack is strewn around the back room. My
backup gear needs to be thrown in a box. I’m still loading my GPS, and
I just bought a new camera. Talk about last minute.
Tonight I fly to Seattle and then on to Spokane. I’ll take a taxi to
the train station for the 1:30am ride to East Glacier. I expect that
I’ll meet other thruhikers on the train platform. Can’t wait to rejoin
the tribe!
The Easton, blue, short stakes that tarptent provides are garbage.
I’ve broken about half of the ones that i’ve used and won’t rely on
them ever again. Personally, I suck it up and carry Y-Stakes. They’re
worth their weight. I also use rocks if needed. And I LNT to a high
level for sure.
I haven’t used the Moment yet. I’m bringing it tomorrow on my CDT
hike. Pushing on it’s weak points with my hands (a great test for
tents), it seems weak in the wind. i’ve tied extra cords on the
attachment points to avoid a collapse. I plan to carry six stakes for
it as well. I’m still concerned about it’s windproofness though.
And here I set out, in what I anticipate to be harsh weather.
Hopefully this tent works out!
Whew. It’s my last night in town, and I’ve pretty much given up. I’ve
done enough. I’m ready to go out with friends and not worry about it!
The last major things that I haven’t dealt with yet include loading
maps and tracks on my GPS. I’m sick of that project, screw it!
I’ve also got to buy a new camera. Not happy with the one that was
supplied. I’ll walk up the street and buy one at the local photo store
tomorrow. Other than that, my maps are packed. I’ve got food ready for
Canada to Helena. And then another box to Sula Country Store. I
wrangled my grandmother and my uncle into sending me a box a piece.
Food of their choosing. That’ll be interesting!
I’m back from my first post surgery recovery. I learned that I’m the new caretaker of a plate and six(!) screws. Got my stitches out and my shoulder looks mostly normal again. I have to wait three more weeks until I can even start physical therapy. Then I do that for 3-6 months, twice a week. I have to keep my sling on for at least another month. There is a 10-15% chance that the bone won’t heal.
I’m disappointed and at a loss as to the future. I can’t sit on my parents couch much longer and wandering around SF has been done so much. I need something substantive to do.
I feel…
I'm Jack Haskel 