Sunday, September 29th

Sunday, September 29th. Day 103

Today's miles = 15 Total CDT miles = 1, 559.6

Molasses, Baboon, Emily, DC (a 2011 AT hiker), Natalie, and I had all planned on meeting at 8am to do the hike over Hope Pass today. By the time we had everything situated it was after 9. Once we dropped off one of the cars on the other side of the pass (everyone except Baboon and I were only hiking 8 miles) it was after 11. We all hiked the 5 miles up 3,000 feet to Hope Pass at 12,000 feet. The climb up was pleasant and only had snow the last 500 or so feet up. We took it slow and all enjoyed the hike and the beautiful scenery. The hike down in my opinion was even more beautiful than the hike up.  We entered an aspen forest right as the sun came out and glistened off the wind blown leaves of the trees.  It was a perfect Fall day in an absolutely perfect place. I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful morning.

After we all made it back to the one car Baboon and I said goodbye to everyone else and continued our hike.  We made it to the base of another pass before setting up camp for the night. We have 53 miles from this point to the road to Salida. 53 hard, cold, snowy, windy, high elevation miles. I've never looked forward to the desert so much!