Dion Pagonis, who with Andrea Rego and Buddy Backpacker hiked to Wolf Creek Pass with Og, commented on my previous blog post: “From my point of view, we were holding onto our dear lives through the most physically demanding rigorous escape off alpine hell. Thank goodness you know how to spin a story! Now all we did was just walk across a lot of snow.” LOL! So now I know that Og (aka Porter) downplays danger so as not to terrify me! Anyway, here’s Og continuing north from Spring Creek Pass.
The trail is gorgeous, though, even in rain.
I hike in with Og at each trailhead then hike out solo to drive to the next trail town. At the next trailhead several days later I hike in to meet him, then we drive to town for his resupply.
Og starts hiking most mornings by 6 a.m.
Amber was dismayed to see that Og burnt a hole in his next day’s map while cooking dinner on his alcohol stove.
Og’s 8 oz. tarp protected him from high winds on an exposed ridge in the south San Juan Mountains. 
Hope you all had a happy Fourth of July!
Wow, what an undertaking! Thank you for your chronicles, and best wishes to the three of you.
Thanks so much, Frank! And as a follow-up to your recent technical question about the 80-lb. pack, right after I responded, Porter met a football player doing a short segment of the trail with his buddy, each carrying a 90-lb. pack, which is insane! When he heard Porter was carrying a base weight of 8 lbs. plus food and water, he said he’d be terrified to be out there with less than he had. Yikes. Wilderness skills are far better to have than more stuff.
That last photo is so beautiful, it almost looks unreal. If anyone asks why Porter is doing this, just show them that photo.
Melanie, you’re always so awake to beauty! I agree, that photo shows why Porter is doing this, extraordinary beauty out here!
Mountains are a beautiful sight. Hike on as they invite you further.
The mountains do indeed invite one further, Julianne! I’m hiking further in on the CDT after I drop off Porter at a new trailhead, today a good long hike in the Holy Cross Wilderness. Absolutely stunning! Hope you’re getting in some good hiking yourself!
In awe of you both as always!
Love,
BLG
Brenda, in awe of you and your writing! Big hugs!