Oh slackpacking. How I love this concept. Just me, a few snacks, water and minimal gear. When I arrived in Lincoln two days ago, I really didn’t have a solid plan. But with no water on trail, it became abundantly obvious that I would need to come up with a viable plan. What a difference a couple of days make. To think I was trouncing through streams, rivers and creeks daily and now, even the springs are tapped dry. So you regroup and adapt.

Big news for my hiking future. I found a partner. I met Fearless in Many Glaciers on my T-Minus One Day, the day before my permit started. She had just finished hiking from Chief Mountain to Many Glaciers and had much intel to share. Best information on trail comes from thru-hikers. She has been 2-3 days ahead of me but in Lincoln, I finally caught up with her.

After sharing all tales from the trail, we agreed to slackpack together. We caught a ride from a local named Michelle and off we went. Our first day on the trail was incredibly challenging with tons of elevation and descent. But the beauty of hiking on ridge lines is my delight. It was stupendous. We had great conversation and by the end of our day, it was clear, we could hike from Montana to New Mexico together. She is a kindred spirit, has purpose and focus, great sense of humor and intends to finish this trail! That’s what I need. A committed partner who won’t let the pain and suffering get in the way of finishing what we started!

The trail is glorious, even without water. It is so beautiful with hundreds of wildflowers, succulents and plants. My hardest issue is getting the miles done, in between all the photos, googling and gargling along the route.

Two days of slackpacking is an integral part of recovery. I still covered my miles, and my speed on the trail is virtually the same, with or without a pack. About two miles per hour including all my breaks. But what I notice is my shoulders, back and feet don’t ache like they do when I’m carrying a backpack. It makes me really take pause as to why am I carrying a backpack at all! If only I had a Sherpa or George to carry all my gear. This could be such a different experience. Any takers? All resumes will be excepted!

But then reality hits me like a two by four. The only way to make this happen, I need to put on my big ol backpack and meander down the trail. Honestly, I wouldn’t do it any other way. Well, maybe I would, but that’s not my reality.

Both days of slack packing, I only saw two people. One each day. The trail is thinning out, which I knew would happen south of Glacier but not quite so soon. God is up to something and He will let me know when I’m ready. Until then, I’ll keep placing one foot in front of the other and thanking Him for all that he has prepared before me. Happy trails.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬-‭30‬ ‭NIV‬‬