Wednesday, September 12th.

Wednesday, September 12th: Todays miles = 21.5. Total PCT miles = 2,043.6.

I could not get up this morning. Maybe it was because I hiked in the dark last night or because I took 5 days off in Bend (to visit my brother) but whatever it was kicked my ass. I didn't get moving until after 9am. Yesterday was this first time hiking in my new shoes. I bought a pair of Keen shoe-boot things in Bend hoping they will make it through the rest of the trail. I have been hiking in Solomons for over 4,000 miles and I was slightly nervous about changing my brand of footwear. I was right! If I thought yesterday sucked... Today was a horrible foot day! I have been lucky all this time because Solomons treat my feet amazingly (except for the fact that the shoes die after 300 miles). I never have blisters or hot spots. My feet never hurt. Two days in these Keens and I don't want to take another step. I'm telling myself that they just have to be worn in a bit but thats a new concept for me. I've never had to wear in my other shoes, they just always fit my feet perfectly. One good thing that these shoes offer is support for my legs. Usually I have sore legs by the end of the day but the Keens seem to support them much better than I'm used to. Hopefully in a few days and another 75 miles or so the shoes will be more comfortable.

The scenery today was amazing! I hiked through a few different glaciers and even above glacial ice patches (with rivers flowing underneath!). It was one of the most beautiful days in Oregon so far, although the ground was frozen this morning when I woke up. Last night got cold enough to freeze the ground and even to create tiny ice crystals on my tent. The afternoon warmed up for about an hour then the cold winds came back and cooled it right back down. Its almost constantly cold now. I left Bend with a fleece that Sarah, my brothers girlfriend, lent me. My fleece is being sent to Timberline lodge (3 days from now). I have worn the fleece almost the entire time since I left Bend. It would have been a miserable stretch without it. I know I'll need both fleeces soon, plus my jacket. I wear my thermals all the time now, along with my fleece hat. I don't want to imagine how cold its going to be in another few weeks.