Day 18 – Change of Plans
July 10, 2012
Start: stealth camp south of Owl Packer Camp
Finish: Cottonwood Lakes
Today’s miles: 38.2
Total miles: 506.6
Splats: 1
Divide crossings: 0
Wildlife:
Finally, a respectable start! I was on the uni and riding by 6:30 this morning. Riding in comfortable temperatures throughout the morning was nice, and I made good time. Thoughts of a shower and laundry in Seeley Lakes had nothing to do with my motivation.
After some good climbing, the route turned to trail (vs. dirt road) to round Richmond Peak. This was my favorite section of trail yet. At the high point, the trail turned to reveal spectacular views of an alpine basin. I decided it would be a great place to sit and have lunch. As I finished lunch, I felt a pinch on my back. Ants were on the attack! I brushed them off and decided it was time to pack up. I then discovered my pack, gloves, and even the uni were covered in bees! Throughout the day, I noticed a progression between the various annoying insects that battled me. The morning’s mosquitos and flies turned to bees for midday, then horseflies for the afternoon. Tonight, it’s back to mosquitos and less annoying but abundant moths. I went to hang my bear bag and returned to find moths swarming the tent and uni.
Yesterday I raced the butterfly. Today, I raced the horsefly. I spent a few miles battling it out with one fly. I watched my shadow intently, and when I saw the fly’s shadow approach, I’d try to grab and squish it. I was unsuccessful with the squishing, but I hit it pretty hard a few times. I’m amazed I didn’t splatter myself on the ground through all this. At least the company kept me occupied.
Speaking of splats, I had a decent one today that I think was caught on the GoPro cam. I was filming my descent along the basin, a narrow trail passing through dense, stubby pines. A downed tree branch caught my leg, and I went down. I suppose it’s better that I went down instead of being impaled through the shin. It’s also good that the trees were there to prohibit a never-ending fall over the near-vertical slope—still my favorite section of trail.
I rolled into Seeley Lake around 3:00 and made my way to the grocery store and motel at the far end of town, about 2 miles off-route. I had pretty much decided that I’d get a room for a shower but was feeling a little conflicted about it because I had been thinking about taking a rest day in Lincoln, which is only another two or so days away. Well, when I arrived at the motel, there was a sign that said the office was 1 1/2 miles back in the direction I had come from. No way was I going to ride an extra 3 miles to spend 80 bucks on a dingy-looking motel. So I resupplied at the grocery store and went to a restaurant to drink coffee and eat a big salad, burger, and fries.
I left stuffed but invigorated. Not staying in town should work out better logistically; I just have to suck it up and deal with these really nasty clothes for another two days. Once back on route, I realized that, yet again, I forgot to get lunches for the stretch. It’s okay, though, as I have lots of extra oatmeal.
