Here in the State of Jefferson, it’s been hot and dry. Water has been scarce and there are long stretches with minimal shade. The trail drops 5,000 ft to pass right through the tiny town of Seiad Valley (and then climbs right back up again). Our strategy is to hike early, rest in the shade for a few hours in midday and then push on into the evening. Hiking late isn’t my favorite. I get hungry and tired, and it’s mentally hard. On one of these late evenings, hiking into the dusk, Kicks stated bluntly, “I’m hurting and I’m hungry and I need to fix one of those things.” We ate, stopping right there and plopping down in the dirt to cook. Then we walked on a few more miles to find a spot of flat ground.
The State of Jefferson
The State of Jefferson
The State of Jefferson
Here in the State of Jefferson, it’s been hot and dry. Water has been scarce and there are long stretches with minimal shade. The trail drops 5,000 ft to pass right through the tiny town of Seiad Valley (and then climbs right back up again). Our strategy is to hike early, rest in the shade for a few hours in midday and then push on into the evening. Hiking late isn’t my favorite. I get hungry and tired, and it’s mentally hard. On one of these late evenings, hiking into the dusk, Kicks stated bluntly, “I’m hurting and I’m hungry and I need to fix one of those things.” We ate, stopping right there and plopping down in the dirt to cook. Then we walked on a few more miles to find a spot of flat ground.