Hope Has passed

With still a big day to get into twin lakes (about 24 miles), I woke up a bit early to get a good start. The day still had lots of climbing before getting down into twin lakes. 

The trail was smooth and clear. Over the first pass there was a big cornice that I had to climb down, but it wasn’t all that sketchy. Beautiful open views of the valley below. 

Honestly, I don’t recall much about hiking this day. It was pretty smooth sailing and I’m writing this a few days later. The last pass, called Hope Pass, was a doozy though. With over two miles of climbing more than 950 feet of incline a mile made it very tough. 

However, what made it tougher was the fact that Lauren left me. Climbing up the mountain side, with thunder storms rolling in (I didn’t see any lightning close by, so decided to risk the pass and make a move for it), and trying to have a conversation with someone halfway across the country was tough. Especially due to the topic. It made for slow going, but I kept pushing through and eventually got down to the side trail to the road into twin lakes where I promptly showered, posted up at the local bar, and drank my sorrows away. 

Don’t really feel like getting into the details or talking much about it, but the point is now I’m not only solo on the trail, but solo in life yet again. I’m definitely shattered, as I really thought I found someone for life. But the distance is hard for anyone, let alone a new relationship. It’s already been hard going, and I’m curious to see how much harder it gets now. Being all alone in the mountains letting my mind wander for 12-14 hours a day going over and over things isn’t always the greatest. But I’ll do my best and persevere as much as I can. I’m about 1142 miles into the trail now, a few more weeks and I’ll be half way.