Now in Darby, Montana

I arrived in Darby, Montana yesterday, only to hitch another ride up to Hamilton, MT, where I stayed at the home of Will Moss, who is a reporter for the Ravalli Republic, and he will be doing a story on our hike from Canada to Mexico.  This evening, Will came down to Darby to do an official interview with six of us here at the Travellers Rest, and I think we are all excited to read the article that he's going to publish.  When I get to Lima, MT, I promise to publish a  link to the article.

Mynext stop will be in Leadore, Idaho, where I will just re-supply.  Following my stop in Leadore, I will go to Lima, MT, where I will take my next zero day.  I will be eager to publish more pics and journals from my hike.

Montana has been really beautiful, but buggy.  I have never seen more mosquitoes in my life.  I have also been plagued by deer flies, horse flies, and black flies, but it is the mosquitoes that have been really relentless.  I know that the weather will get warmer over the next few days, and I am hoping that the bugs do not get any friskier than they are already.

I got seven packages here in Darby, and I am thankful for all my friends and family who sent items.  Thanks so much!

I will have pics loaded on my flickr page, and I just uploaded my recent journals, so I encourage you to check them out.

Hiked into Butte, MT

Okay, actually I did not literally hike into Butte, Montanta, but I got off the trail at Pipestone Pass, where Wahoo picked me and George up yesterday.  I am taking a much needed rest day here at the Comfort Inn here in Butte, and I am hoping to see a bit of the National Folk Festival this afternoon.  I have uploaded pictures to my Flickr account, and my Trail Journals site is just about updated. 

I am really enjoying the hike on the CDT, despite challenges from climbs, weather, bugs, and road walking.  I just had a foot massage from Lou (PCT 2003), and I hopped into the hot tub here at the hotel.  I think that I will be rested and recharged for my continued hike on the CDT.  I am so thankful for Lou and Wahoo meeting us here in Butte, and providing us with so much trail magic.  In fact, they will be slack packing us for the next 25 miles to the Interstate 15.  Absolutely unbelievable what they are doing for us.  Thanks trail angels!

Re-Supplying in Helena, MT

I am in the most awesome town of Helena, Montana.  This place is great!  I like the vibe here, and people have been very friendly.  I just got back from hearing a harp concert by Deborah Henson Conant at the Myrna Loy Center.  She was brilliant.  The awesome thing was that we got in for free - definite trail magic!

I am heading back on the trail, and I will get back off again on the 12th, when I meet up with Lou and Wahoo (PCT 2003) at Highway 12 near Butte.  I will have more updates and pictures to upload when I take a day off there in Butte.

I am doing well, and feeling strong.  Nonetheless, the trail here in Montana has challenging climbs and descents.  The trail literally goes straight up and down these mountains.  Navigation has not been a huge deal, as I am with a pretty competent group of hikers.  To this point, I have not really been lost on the CDT.

I hope to have some pictures and video uploaded before I leave the hotel tomorrow.  I am not sure how much I will get done, but I hope to at least get pics done on Trail Journals and Flickr.  Check them out.

Freefall

Taking a Day Off in Lincoln, MT

I arrived in Lincoln on July 1st, and I have been resting after a strenuous, yet rewarding hike through the Bob Marshall and Scapegoat Wilderness areas. The CDT is a lot of work, and my waistline is reflecting the number of calories I have burned in the last week. Yikes!

I am leaving on the 3rd of July, and I will hike into Helena on Monday, and then turn around on Tuesday, and hike to Butte, where I will take another zero day.

I have just updated my trail journal, and I am in the process of uploading pictures to my Flickr account. I am hoping to get a few videos on the blog tomorrow, so please be patient as I try and get some of this stuff done. This whole digital diary thing is a lot of work!

I am feeling great, and my legs are growing stronger every day. I love being in the wilderness, and it has been a real pleasure to be "home" for the last few weeks. The amazing thing is that I get to stay at "home" for another 5-months.