Follow the ridgeline

Packing up camp and ascending back to the ridge. Treading fast through miles of trail passing from barren broken scree through tall matchstick spires of grand conifers. Jumping innumerable fallen trees blocking the way, some meters wide, and nibbling on berries the whole way down before reaching Gold Mine Creek and coming full circle. 24 miles in two days at elevation with the packs. Not too bad, good practice for the daily rigors to come in the months ahead, living at much higher elevation in the second tallest mountains on Earth. The Andes (!)

Filthy, sore, and creaky. Sunburned faces, days old stubble and windblown hair, blistered feet and white salt stains on our shirts we treated ourselves to a monstrous dinner back in Portland at a local Lebanese place well known for good food and heaping portions. At times like this too much of a good thing can be wonderful. Ravenous, filling our bellies, and not feeling a tinge of guilt. Passing into a deep contented food coma of sorts....

What a great weekend. Food for the body and soul.