Day 70: Bad things come in threes

Day 70 – 6/30/16

Miller Creek 1120.41 to 1146.73

Total miles: 26.32

Today started off great. I actually got a semi-decent night sleep.  We were on the move by 5:20. My Achilles tendons were a little stiff but a few ibuprofen and a few minutes to warm up took care of that problem. The first couple miles were pretty easy and then we had a 1,200 foot climb.

The climb was easy and I didn’t have any problems keeping up a decent pace.  There was a short descent before going right back up.

We walked along a ridge for several miles. I could see Lake Tahoe off on the distance. We also passed by several ski slopes. Including Wolverine Bowl. It would be a black Diamond.

We finally began to drop down and we stopped for lunch at the bottom next to a creek. This is when my day started going south while I was trying to head north.  My left heel was hurting a bit and when I took off my shoe I had a blister.  I haven’t had a blister in 66 days! Guess new shoes and all. I also was having severe chafe in the nether region. I examined the tender area and used a wet wipe and applied some neosporin. Just touching the area stung.

We set off again, uphill. I had to walk bow legged, as if I just got done with a long horse ride.  A sad cowboy hobbling down a dusty trail.
Even with my ridiculous new gait I reached the top without further issues. Although, it is quite hot. My watch was showing 97. I check to see if I have service and go on Amazon to order a new shirt since mine is definitely growing something. Also, it seems no amount of washing will help with the smell. I complain to 5 Star about my chafe. Now I’m wondering if I’m having a reaction to the laundry detergent my dad gave me. 5 Star suggests going commando. He turns around and I pull off my underwear. We are at the top of a ski slope and there is a strong breeze. The increased airflow up my shorts is quite nice.

I call my mom and tell her to send my shirt with the next resupply she sends and also to add another thing of bug spray.  We talk for a bit as I make my way down over the snow. I really should be paying attention to not falling given my propensity to wanting to slide down snow covered mountains.
I make it halfway down when I start to feel sick. My stomach hurts and each step, even downhill, requires a lot of effort. I start to worry that I pushed my luck on getting water from a creek and not filtering. I really don’t want giardia.

I get down to the bottom where there is a creek. 5 Star is across the creek sitting on a rock. I feel bad since he probably has been there for awhile and he wanted to put in big miles today. I tell him I’m feeling terrible.  We sit for a while before starting a 1,200 foot climb.

I move slowly up the mountain. Each step  tiring. I feel like I almost need to puke but I don’t. I have to take frequent breaks and undo my hip belt. I eventually see the top and can see 5 Star near the top sitting. He is probably only a tenth of a mile away but it takes me a good 10 minutes to reach him. I can barely get one foot in front of the other. I just want to be done.

I get to 5 Star and collapse on the ground.  We sit for a while before continuing on. At the top I can really notice all the smoke from a fire. It seems to be getting thicker in the direction we are heading. We walk along the ridge for awhile dropping slowly.

We come to where there was a tent g spot but some idiot couple is there. With a fire. 1. Can they not see all the smoke? 2. We are in a fire ban area. There was even a huge sign saying no fires. 5 Star informs them that there is a fire ban. I’m sure they don’t care.

We walk off towards some trees hoping to find a spot to put up our tents. We do put it’s kind of crappy. I’m on a slope but I don’t care. I just want the pack off and to lay down. After an hour laying down I feel a bit better. Here’s to hoping tomorrow is a better day sans stomach issues.