CT 7.9.15 Day 7 and 7.10.15 Day 8

Days on the trail: 6 and 7
Days total: 7 and 8
Miles today: 17.1 and 19.4
Miles from Denver: 88.8 and 108.2
Approximate elevation gain: ~6500 feet
Location:Kenosha Pass to Gold Hill Trailhead Segment 6:0.0 to Segment 6:17.1, Day 8 Segment 6:17.1 to Segment 7:3.5 (ish)

Hitching a ride from Fairplay.

Top of Georgia Pass. A little chilly and prepared for rain. 

We struggled a bit getting a hitch back to the Kenosha pass trail head but eventually a young man named James pulled over in his jeep full of biking, camping and other miscellaneous outdoor gear. There was literally no room for both of us to fit.  I was so happy he was willing to help that we made it work. Crouched over with a bicycle fork resting on my lap sitting on top of a folded over seat, we arrived at our destination 20 minutes later. I'm amazed by the generosity of the people we have met on this journey. It seems that the people who wouldn't be able to help are the most willing to do so.

Getting back on the trail and picking up our pace was a difficult but eventually we got back up to 2/2.5 miles an hour. We only had enough food planned for 3 days max so our packs were relatively light. We had a section that was uphill for 6 miles in order to get us over Georgia Pass and we sort of rushed through it for fear of bad weather. (You do not want to be at high altitude after 1200 for risk of lightning and thunderstorms increase greatly). The rain held off just until we went over the pass, around 2pm, when we had to "pull over" and wait under trees while the lightning passed us by. 

Looking back over Georgia pass during a break from rain. 

All in all, we hiked our most miles in a day; 17 total and didn't take much of a glorified break to eat or rest. I'm struggling with getting enough calories because I have no appetite and no interest in taking breaks. Whenever we stop for a standing or sitting break, it is that much harder to get back up and going again. My food consumption today was one poptart, a couple handfuls of trail mix, 150 calorie tuna packet with two miracle whips and one relish in a tortilla, and bite of a cliff bar. No dinner. I met another thru hiking woman who was struggling with the same thing.
The next day we took our time getting ready and got on the trail around 0930. We played leapfrog with three college students we met yesterday named Austin, Jen and Lindsey. Whenever I felt defeated because they passed us David reminded me that they were super young, and it was ok.

Coming down the mountain on day 8. 

Day 8

We had a bit of an incline during the middle of the day, but having Georgia Pass behind us made this incline much more doable. The rest of the hiking was pretty tame and we finished off section 6 by 3pm. With no campsites for at least 3.5 miles in to section 7, we decided to press on. We were tired and weary, but determined as this would make the following day's pass a little less difficult. 

Coming down switchbacks into Breckenridge. Off in the distance is what is coming up. 

Going through town, or at least a neighborhood, was hot and miserable. We had already been exposed to a lot of sun by this point and there was much more to come. Going up the first foothill seemed a huge struggle for my tired legs and sore feet. At the beginning of section 7, we had just accomplished 15.5 miles. I was not looking forward to another 3.5+ miles of all uphill.Eventually, we settled on a campsite near water and in a secluded location. I did not sleep super well, but woke up ready for a difficult day ahead.

Switchbacks we came down.