CDT - Day 44 - Backtracking and Excessive Bushwhacking
Pacman and Jammin decided to chance the sketchy traverse, but I decided not to risk my life. I backtracked about half a mile and dropped down into the valley. From there, I bushwhacked my way up 1,100 feet to rejoin the trail beyond that insanity. I made it back to the red line by 9:30, and my legs were not happy with me, but I did it. I never did catch up to Pacman and Jammin. My route-finding alternate to the traverse cost me a couple of hours, but at least I didn't die. After several hours of hiking, thunderclouds rolled in and it started snowing. I quickly threw on a few extra layers to stay warm. Then, just like that, after 30 minutes of bitterly cold snowfall, the sun came back out and I had to take off all the layers I had just put on. I hiked about 12 miles before finding a spot on top of a hill to camp. I was close enough to the trees to duck down if lightning became an issue, but it ended up being a calm night.