Sleep was better last night. It appears to be getting better the more I stay on trail. Just getting used to the environment I guess.
The concern at this site was a bear. It was known to go after bear bags and canisters at night. Also, when I went looking for water the evening before I saw some fresh bear scat, disturbing. So Dennis and I followed proper bear procedures, cooking and eating away from camp and, storing food away from camp. We had a bear canister and Ursack (fancy bear bag). No issues, everything was in it’s proper place in the morning, whew!
We figured we’d better fill up with more water before leaving camp so I headed out to our secret water source. This time it was early morning and again, with bear warnings in my mind, I was a little nervous. One of the things you should do hiking in bear country is make some noise. A bear bell, talk, sing, whatever. Just let the bears know you are there and don’t startle them. Well I started to sing, it was kind of embarrassing though. Through my early morning head fog, and from being a Grandpa, all I could remember were kid songs! Here I am, hiking through the woods, singing like a dwarf from Snow White. Probably scared the bears away permanently.
Left camp with a lot of water and still ran out before reaching the South Platte river. Now relaxing by the river and getting our fill of cold water. This was a milestone, Drips (trail name for Dennis) first segment completion of the CT! Yes segment one is done.
We relaxed here awhile rehydrating and watching folks play by the river.
We looked ahead to the next section again, water issues. Next 10 miles have no water, not only that, no shade. It’s the Hayman fire burn scar.
We decided to haul as much water as we could up to the first campsite and then get a very early start in the cool morning air. We tanked up with water, 8 liters worth, then up the big hill to the top of the ridge above the river. Found a nice campsite with views. Lots of wind but they calmed down before long. Dinner and off to bed!
Keep on truckin’ you two! Love the blog and the pics! Making me thirsty talking about the water…do you treat it at all?
Thanks! Yep, always. I use a filter that takes out 99.9% of the nasty stuff. Dennis was also adding some drops to take out the rest.
I’ll send you the words to “If your happy and you know it” song. Will calm a bear in no time.
Nice! Ok, so to Randy’s comment (above), bears only attack unhappy people. It’s a well known fact. Just clap your hands, stomp your feet, sing you’re happy and you know it, and the bears will leave you alone. It’s true. I read it on the internet.