CDT – Day 113 – Sawed Cabin Lake M2443.3 to Goat Flat M2473.8

8/15/15 Day 113 – Sawed Cabin Lake M2443.3 to Goat Flat M2473.8 , 9223′

Cowboy Camp – Nights Spent Alone: 15

30.5, 2280.3 Trip Miles

6 am to 8:00 pm

Day’s of Snow: 9 – Day’s of Rain: 41 – Days of Hail: 19

# of Zero days: 11

Gila Crossings Final Total: 221

Tick Count: 4 (4 more crawling on me)

Wanted List

Mountain Goat

Grizzly Bear

Sasquatch

Black Bear – SPOTTED

Bighorn Sheep

Velociraptor

Mountain Lion

Beaver – SPOTTED

Unicorn

Wolf

Buffalo

Critter Count

9 Chipmunks

5 Ground Squirrels

4 Squirrels

2 Pika

1 Deer

1 Bear

1 Toad

Totals

1) 618 Pronghorn*

2) 438 Elk*7

3) 309 Chipmunks *5

4) 183 Deer*2

5) 154 Marmot*4

6) 130 Squirrels *9

7) 120 Lizards*6

8) 116 Wild Horses

9) 74 Ground Squirrels*10

10) 62 Pika

11) 48 Cotton Tail Rabbits *8

12) 30 Prairie Dogs

13) 22 Horny Toads

14) 17 Jack Rabbit*3

15) 14 Moose

16) 8 Snakes

17) 5 Coyotes

18) 5 Moles

19) 4 Black Bears

20) 4 Porcupine

21) 3 Toads

22) 2 Mouse

23) 2 Fox

24) 2 Rattle Snakes

25) 1 Beaver

26) 1 Badger

27) 1 Skunk

28) 1 Weasel -Long Tail

*259 from car, *2 – 48 from car, *3 – 1 from car, *4 – 2 from car, *5 – 2 off trail, *6 – 1 off trail, *7 – 9 from car, *8 – 3 off trail *9 – 1 from car, *10 – 6 off trail

We had thunder & lightening storms for the early part of the night then the wind went into overdrive. I was up at 2:21 am to pee and then at around 3 am all three of us were up due to the wind. I told the guys it was just me farting. Around midnight I started smelling smoke. By the time we got up the air was filled with thick smoke. Rumor has it Idaho had a bad storm that caused a ton of fires.

The day started with a cross country trek that was straight up to start. It was short but painful. The day as a whole had five major climbs probably equaling 7000-8000′. It was a tough day but we finished early.

I was listening to my headphones and thought I should really take one out so I can listen for bears. No more than a minute later I heard a branch break, headphones still in mind you. I took one out and looked around. I spotted a brown object to my 1 o’clock. It was a bear! I quickly turned my camera to video and filmed him/her. They didn’t see me at all but must have gotten wind of my scent as they retreated back down the hill later when Toast tired to get a pic.

The smoke wasn’t terrible but I’m sure it wasn’t good for us to be breathing it all day. The trail was super rocky at times but one new section that was butter smooth. My feet hurt after I stop for more than twenty minutes then start again. It goes away after like five minutes. Weird.

Tonight I’m Cowboy Camping. This is the first time since the night before Cuba, NM. My hands are freezing just typing this. It’s going to be cold up here on this saddle. There’s just enough breeze to zap the warmth in my hands. I put my pack next to me to block the wind. Hopefully that will help.