Oh boy, what a day we had. Looking back on the CDT, I would say day one in the Bob was the hardest day. It was Lincoln Log City for miles and I was totally unprepared for that. Number One mistake was wearing shorts. Number two mistake was going off trail and thinking that making your own trail is a better idea than backtracking. Neither are good but the latter is better. Today is up there with the toughest day in the Bob!

Our morning was quite nice. Me and Fearless were packed and out by 6am. We headed to the spring as we dry camped last night and needed to refill. When we arrived at the creek, Mad Martigan was packing up. We all had breakfast together, then hit the trail.

We saw a sign that showed that we were in a new state. From Montana to Idaho, but from what I believe is we will be skirting the two states for quite awhile. Once off the road and back on the trail, we found a blueberry patch that continued on for miles. This slows down a hiker because there is no way you can keep your pace while stopping every minute or two to pick blueberries. Needless to say, we were slow going but our antioxidants were increasing!

Lunch stop was at an old abandoned log cabin. We sat on a dilapidated porch eating tuna, beef, sticks, beef, jerky, and bars. Not the best lunch, but about the only thing we have at this point. He stayed for a good hour, then headed up, and I mean UP the mountain.

The afternoon climb was over 3000’. And it seemed to go on forever. This is when I decided that I don’t think I like thru-hiking anymore. I used to be able to climb mountains in a single bound. I’d head up the hill and within an hour or two, I was up and over it and on the downward slide. Well that isn’t the case anymore. It takes all I have to finish up my measly ten miles.

Around 5pm, Fearless and I stopped for dinner. As soon as I had gathered my ingredients for beef soup with noodles, the thunder rolled in. You’ve got to be kidding! This is starting to be a common occurrence. I ate quickly, packed up and was ready to hit the trail. Fearless was still trying to eat her meal and it just wasn’t satisfying, so she packed too.

Out last climb was 750’ up and over a ridge. The problem was its’ thundering and I’m not too excited about being exposed to an electrical storm while on a ridge line at 8000’. This is a big problem and I knew it. Instead of bailing, which would’ve been the prudent thing to do, I continued onward and prayed fervently.

Once we reached the top, we ducked behind the mountain and skirted around towards the spring that we intended to camp at. The good Lord spared us and kept us safe. And it was only by His grace, we arrived.

Lessons learned today. Plan your afternoon hikes to be at lower elevations with lots of protection from thunderstorms. Realize while hiking in Montana or Idaho or anywhere else on the Continental Divide, that the chances of afternoon thunderstorms are highly likely. And most importantly, don’t hike on ridge lines when storms are approaching! That’s just downright irresponsible.

Fearless could see the distress on my face and knew we were in trouble. She said something that really gave me pause, and helped me realize the influence that I have. She said, “I thought I’d be safe hiking with Kelly Baraga.” This stopped me in my tracks and made it abundantly clear that I am the most experienced to say when we go, and when we don’t. So promises made, we will not be hiking on ridge lines during afternoon thunderstorms ever again. Done!

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.” Psalms‬ ‭46‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬