Today consisted of more ridge lines with grassy meadows and thick forested sections. This is a beautiful section with long grassy ridges and great views.

At one point we took a break and Pat told me that we have different goals and I may need to eventually break loose on my own.  He has lots of respect for me wanting to finish the CDT, but he just wants to have fun and pushing 20+ miles is too much for him.  He wants to invite Erin and others to join him on the CDT and they can’t do 20 mile days.  I said OK, but I’m disappointed and sad. This was supposed to be a thru hike and now it is something else. But I understand. His goals have changed and he needs to do what is right for him.

I basically agreed but said I was hoping he would get used to bigger miles and we could stay together for as long as possible.  For the short term we agreed to finish this current section and go into Helena together.  We would see about anything after that.  I suspect I will be doing the rest solo.  I’m sad and relieved at the same time.  Fighting him over the 20 mile day thing is getting old, and he is constantly dropping hints about other side trips he has planned with his family later in the summer. I am determined to finish the CDT this season, but I will miss my friend though.

Tonight we are camped on top of a grassy ridge. It is beautify but very exposed. We hiked off the ridge a short distance and found some snow to augment our dwindling water. While making my dinner I found my first tick of the trail on my pack as it laid in the grass. It was smaller than I expected so I will have to keep my eyes open.

Later on a cheerful hiker named Marco came along and asked if it was ok for him to camp with us. I said sure and had fun visiting with him. Marco is a logger from Switzerland. He rolls his own cigarettes, so I had fun watching the dexterity involved.

I retired to my tent to watch a NetFlix video only to discover that I did not have the required adapter to go from my battery pack to my new phone (a Pixel with a USB-C plug). I then realized that I had absolutely no way to charge my phone and it was already almost dead. No videos, no camera, and no GutHooks! This was a disaster! In desperation I told Marco about it, and he says “You might just be in luck!”. He pulls a complete cable kit out of his pack with about 5 cables and assorted adapters. And there is a perfect 5 inch long USB to USB-C adapter. He gave it to me and said I could keep it because he didn’t need it. Wow! Who would have thought I could find such an odd cable this far from anywhere just when I need it! I will be eternally grateful to Marco and his generosity!