Day 123 To Brooks Lake

I got an early start even though everything was still frozen.  I need to modify my tent breakdown procedure when it’s so cold.  My fingers froze and I couldn’t feel the tent bag to get the tent in it.  It took like 5 frustrating minutes. 

Cabin near the trail and Soda Fork

I started off well enough with good energy and enthusiasm. I had breakfast on the porch of a ranger cabin and zoomed up the first big climb and met many Nobos – Smooth, Bear, Tazbaz, Maps, Spooky Noodle, Family Size, and several more. The trail climbed out of the Soda Creek drainage, over a wide ridge and then dropped into the South Buffalo Fork. There is a YouTube video of a guy named Nope crossing here in 2018 at the height of the spring runoff. In the video the river was really raging and it swept him downstream a ways getting him soaked. Fortunately for me it was a pleasant and refreshing walk across the river with the water not even reaching my knees.

South Fork Buffalo River

My hives continue to improve, but the blisters are popping leaving raw skin behind that hardens into a sickly crust.  Pretty gross. I sure hope I don’t get an infection.  I started to feel low on energy around midday and it quickly turned to outright exhaustion.  I eventually fell asleep with my head on my pack in some shade around 2:00.  I woke up 20 minutes later a little confused about where I was. The wind was blowing through the trees and the sunlight danced through the leaves. I just laid there and watched it for a while waiting for my wits to come back. Eventually I felt a little better and then guilty about not making any progress so I got up and continued on.

It was hell going over the next two ascents, but I did it.  I am now camped at the foot of Upper Brooks lake on a small hill.  It is beautiful and I am the only one around – I wish I had someone to share it with.

Upper Brooks Lake

I did 20 miles today, which leaves 6 miles tomorrow to reach Hwy 26 where I will try to hitch into Dubois. I wish I felt better today. The trail was great, the views spectacular, the weather was great, and still minimal bugs like the last 3 days.  But I just lurched through it all like a zombie.  Tomorrow is all downhill, so hopefully it will be easier on me.

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