The Marmots name in reinforcements!

‘Twas the night time earlier than the essentially the most difficult hike of my life. Climbing up the 2000 foot ascent to Argentine Cross after which one way or the other navigating the sketchy traverse between Mt Edwards (13817) and Grays Peak (14254), additionally the very best level of the path. Camp was arrange and I had fetched additional water so I’d be prepared within the morning.

The First Wave

I used to be tucked in and able to sleep. 4 am would come too quickly. After which! First got here a number of deer galloping via my campsite sending reverberations via my tent! After it quieted, I used to be starting to go to sleep when one thing tripped over the man strains for my tent. Uh oh! Was that simply the deer frolicking or was it ….

The Marmots

I clapped, I banged on my cook dinner pot, I hollered …. The noises went away, however not for lengthy! So I went exterior and test pecked all the pieces. Made positive all the pieces was beneath the vestibule of my tent. Humorous. My water bag was not filled with water. I have to not have tightened the cap sufficient. Okay. Time to sleep. I wake to extra noise and aa bizarre flop sound. I as soon as once more go exterior to see an harmless trying bunny (Is that this only a marmot decoy?) munching on flowers. And my water bag (CNOC) mendacity within the dust ten toes from the tent. Empty .

Morning: Marmots 1 , MB 0

I pack up quick as a result of now I’ve to get water, too! I get to the stream and replenish…. However there’s a stream of water popping out of my bag. These devious creatures had slit my bag. Now I couldn’t haul additional water for this lengthy day, simply including to the problem.

Noon

Attending to Mt Edward’s was not the issue. Doing the insane ridge with vertical drop on one facet and the ever transferring scree/talus on the opposite facet and no actual path to observe….. that was the issue. By the point I navigated to the facet of Grays Peak (I discovered to curse on this traverse) I used to be so drained and so low on water I practically determined to overlook the height. Then a sort gentleman shared some water and I pet his canine for some time (at all times a superb factor!) and so I continued. People are fairly good beings for essentially the most half! I reached the height and talked to some Indian gents who captured this drained however blissful face!

Down down down

Dang! The hordes of people that climbed Grays from the opposite facet had it made! An actual path! Water! Switchbacks! Pals! Wow! The wildflowers have been additionally pleasant on the best way again down! Staying on the trailhead tenting areas made essentially the most sense so I started to arrange camp when to what did my questioning eyes did seem…. However one other CDT hiker named Winner! We had such enjoyable hanging out and consuming and chatting. He even fastened my Marmot sliced CNOC bag! MB and Winner 1, Marmots 0!

Wildflowers!!

Wildflowers are nonetheless blooming and making me blissful. Fall is sneaking up on the mountains, with some colours already altering. Good people are throughout, like those who informed me to lookup at this rainbow within the cloud.

Have a good time the great in your world!

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