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Day 9
Starting location: Breckenridge
Ending location: 1 mile past Guller Creek
Distance: 19 miles
Elevation gained: 4800 ft
Photo: campsite at 10700 ft
1 word summary of the day: records
It was a record breaking day today! First of all I hikes over 19 miles, which is over 30km, and is the most distance that I've ever hiked in one day. On top of that distance, I had to ascend almost 5000 ft in elevation!
But I was feeling good after climbing over the crest of the Ten Mile Range (where i saw a mountain bighorn sheep i think) and reached the camp that I was thinking of camping at around 1:15pm. Since it was still so early and no signs yet of the forecasted afternoon thunderstorms, I decided to push on another 6 miles to the next camp. It will also get me closer to the pass that I need to climb tomorrow, and it's best to ascend those passes in the morning when it's cooler and less likely to storm.
The second record of the day was that I hiked through a ski resort! The trail goes right through Copper Mountain ski resort and you actually hike under the chairlifts and on some of the ski slopes. It was very weird to look up and see chairlifts and look down and see the golf course!
But as a result of those extra miles, I think that I'm ahead of Brandon and Cynthia. I haven't seen either of them since the start of the day, though I did leave word with a hiker back at the earlier campsite that I was going further. It's 7pm now, will have to see if anyone turns up later. Time for some relaxing and reading for a bit before bed - I was up at 5:15am this morning to hit the trail at 6:30 so bed will be early tonight!
- comments
Mark McNally Nancy, Great to hear your trip is going well. Just back from vacation and read your daily blogs. Sounds like you should consider the IronMan Triathalon when you finish the trip based on the shape you're in. Forest fires sound like no fun although seems like they may have scared away the bears (hopefully)
Jeff Stephan It sounds like a fantastic trip Nancy. I think you burned more than 5,000 calories on this 19 mile day so make sure you order a couple of Guinness with your next steak dinner (which includes dessert) at the next town you come across - I hope that image helps you slog it through any tough patch Good luck! The gang at Sonia's cottage were and are rooting for you.