Snow provokes responses that reach right back to childhood.” —Andy Goldsworthy
Saddle east of small spring to Squaw Lake Intersection
14.5 miles
Wired and I got an early start to tackle Knifes Edge, a difficult, extremely steep, and icy snow crossing. After a successful traverse of Knifes Edge, we found Silly Chili waiting for us high on a ridge. He had a nice night camped by himself.
We have been seeing periodically on the trail a great group of CDT thru-hikers that Wired has been hiking with: Sweetfish, Strider, Ninja, Drop.n’ Roll, and Love Note. They are all super nice and work together as a team.
The Weminuche Wilderness area is high, large and diverse. The mountains seem to have many shapes, colors, and sizes. A sad thing that has happened to much of the forest is a beetle has killed literally most of the trees, making the forest a very spooky place. The Continental Divide Trail fortunately stays high on the divide. The altitude and air here feels like 14,000 feet when it is only at 12,000, making it very hard for me to breath when climbing uphill. It is startling and very humbling.
BTW: Snow can be very challenging to hike on.
Great photos. That second photo of Wired on the steep, snowy mountainside really gave perspective to what you were dealing with. Stay safe (all of you).
I know. Right? That is Knife’s Edge. It was super icy and took courage. I was so proud of Wired. She does not like steep traverses!
You are doing awesome !!!! You are hiking in some challenging conditions ! Your photos are beautiful ! Keep on rockin!
Boy howdy we are. You would love it. I look forward to your comments. You KNOW how hard it is to do this kind of terrain. One foot in front of the other.
Sorry about the altitude! Seriously, ugh! Those damn beetles!!!! When we were in Colorado @ whatever national park was there it was the same thing. Nothing by beetles trees as far as the eye could see. Spooky AND devastating!
Seriously!!!!!
These pictures surely show how much work it is to hike this area. Wow, I am exhausted just reading about your challenges. Slow down Silly Chili and smell the roses!
Yes, I keep telling him he has a nice camera and to take pictures. Not sure he is listening. 🙂
Love your posts and love the black & white pic. Adds flavor! You are doing great and just know you will get better physically soon! Thanks for sharing your hike with us. Laurie
Hello Laurie,
Thank you for sharing. I wish the photos would post full quality from my iPhone. Thanks for your encouragement.
Love the photos Rockin! Say hi to Wired for me!
-GoalTech
I certainly will!!!!! Thanks for the compliment. It is hard even stopping to take a photo while hiking with such fast hikers!
Keep up the good work. Altitude is such a challenge until you acclimatise. One foot in front of the other until you do. Wishing you the sleep of the just. No coffee for SC!
I have a new strategy…I need more caffeine and candy to keep up with him with no caffeine. Not sure if he is going for that one!