I had a good breakfast at Lambkins in Lincoln. After dinner last night I really didn’t want to try Lambkins again, but it was the only place open. Funny how breakfast was so much better than last night’s dinner. 

Deanna and Linda (who run the Sportsman Hotel) picked me up at 8:45 and drove me back to Rogers Pass. On the way out of town they stopped at the ranger station so I could see the Lincoln Bear. This is the 3rd largest grizzly recorded in Montana. It was pretty cool although a little sad to see it stuffed in a display.

Deanna and Linda are really nice and caring older women, but while driving Deanna asks me if I vote. I thought “Uh oh”.  I said “Yes”.  Then she asks “Who did you vote for?”  Sigh.  I need this ride. The rest of the conversation was decidedly uncomfortable. Apparently I’m one of those liberal hikers just because I think Trump is a fucking idiot. I had to listen to them tell me that he’s super smart.  Their arguments and reasons for supporting him were ridiculous, incoherent, and completely out of touch with reality.  So there you go. Fortunately it wasn’t a long drive and I was out before I said something really bad. Too bad – my last memories of them have definitely been soured by this conversation.

When they dropped me off I saw a hiker exit the trail from the north onto the highway. I went over and we talked for ten minutes or so.  I started to think I’d seen this guy before.  I asked his name and sure enough it was Moonshine.  I said you’re the helicopter guy!  He said “helicopter guy” with me and we laughed.  He was one of the first to try the high route through the San Juan Mountains in Colorado this year.  The San Juan’s are buried under record snow this year, and a storm came and dumped another foot of snow during his attempt and he got in trouble. He pushed the SOS button on his InReach and was rescued by helicopter.  He made a very informative and honest video about it and posted it on YouTube.

I left Moonshine to his hitching and proceeded north on the CDT.  Later on I ran into a group of 6 guys doing trail maintenance for the CDT.  I said “Hi” and was thanking them for all their hard work.  The 3rd guy down was looking at me and said “I think I know you”.  I looked at him and suddenly realized it was Nick.  Nick from Australia that I talked with for about an hour two weeks ago with Pat.  “Nick!” I said with a big grin and he smiled and we shook hands.  The others were watching this and one says “That was a Kodak moment.  I wish I had my camera”.  I guess we were both so excited to see each other we had big grins.  We talked for a few minutes and Nick warned me about big bear tracks around Caribou Peak.  Exactly where I’m camped right now. 

I have my food triple wrapped in my tent with my stinky socks and shoes on top.  I hope this is sufficient.  I’m high on an exposed ridge in between some rocky outcrops just off the trail. There is a cliff nearby with a lake far below. I’m 20 very tough miles in right now and the scenery is amazing.  The mountains have a lot of up and downs and I’m really worn out.  Good night.