Miles: 25.3 

Total Trail Miles: 1319.1 

Ascent/Descent: 5987/2951 ft 

Start Time: 05:43 

End Time: 16:44 

Temperature: 29°C (84°F)

I intended to start earlier today to finish the climb before it got too hot but I hit snooze a couple of times as I was really tired, still set off before 6 so I was content. Only ET, Izzy and Hot Pants had already left and I caught them up within a couple of miles. I was glad I had started the climb yesterday to break it up as it was long. This section was mostly in the trees through and the morning sun only started to hit me in patches near the top so I was grateful for the cooler shade. We crossed the big river a couple of times, once by bridge and then on a log. It was nice to see the waterfalls in the morning light. I took a breakfast break 1.5 miles from the top at the last water source for 6 or so miles. I made it to the next water by 11 and took a quick snack break, stretch and topped up water again. ET and Hot Pants caught up just as I was getting ready to leave. It was mostly walking through burn today, I could feel it in my throat and smell it. Every now and then you would hear a loud crack and a dead branch would fall to the ground, once post close to the trail. It was sad to see all the dead trees but a good reminder of how fragile our planet can be when we treat it so poorly. I walked on for another hour or so until I found a good spot for lunch, I lucked out and found a shady spot in a patch of alive trees. I took an extended break here and didn't set off again until a little after 1:40 but I only had 9 miles left. The last 9 miles my shins really started to hurt though and my pace slowed and I worried a bit about them. Hopefully I can just walk it off over the next few days 🌊