CDT Day 77: July 21, 2025
Start: 1554.4
Stop: 1561.6
Today’s Miles: 7.2
Total CDT miles: 1233.4
I slept so dang good last night, the wind was blowing and the night just felt perfect. We stayed up late for hikers, laughing and cutting up with Gary. We shared wine and stories and it was a good time. Gary started to get a little-almost flirty with me and occasionally with Wolf, too. Firefly picked up on it without a word and started to insert himself between Gary and me or Gary and Wolf-all without being obvious. It was kind of refreshing to see someone just “get it.”
People assume a 74 year old is just being friendly-but the little touches here and there while constantly directing the conversation back to Wolf or I gets exhausting and creepy. I’d like to say I doubt it was intentional.. but at times it felt intentional, and causing a scene wouldn’t have helped any. So, Firefly smoothly took care of it after he first noticed me being uncomfortable. And no scene was required to be made. Seriously awesome dude.
This morning the birds were wide awake early, but I refused to get up until after 8am-not that my bladder was going to give me much more time than that anyway. Redline quickly packed and walked to the diner we ate at yesterday while the rest of us sipped coffee and contemplated being awake. Sadly, he text soon after that the restaurant was out of propane so they weren’t cooking breakfast. Ugh.
Gary offered up his refrigerator and kitchen to us while he went into another town for his physical therapy appointment. Pika made scrambled eggs and I cooked up some bacon, and we made due. I felt bad for being disappointed, but I wanted another huge breakfast like yesterday, this wasn’t going to cut it.
Once Gary got back from his appointment, we all packed up and loaded into the truck. Everyone else had sent a resupply box here, but sent way too much food, so I took what they didn’t want and then we got a few extra things from the general store before Gary dropped us off at the trailhead around 12:45.
I hiked in just over 7 miles, Pika is ahead of me and Wolf is probably a mile or less behind me. Redline and Firefly BACKTRACKED about a mile.. because, at midnight we’re all starting the 24 hour challenge! We’ll get up at 11:30pm, pack up, and start walking by midnight and see how many miles we can get by midnight tomorrow night. Insane, right?
It’s 61.2 miles from the pass we got dropped off at into Rawlings, Wyoming. The guys want to do at least 62-70 miles, Wolf wants to do 55 miles, and Pika and I are leaning towards 50 or more.. so that’s why we’re all staggered. The last 36 miles is all road walking, so we’re hoping that helps make it happen. We’ll see! It’s 5:35pm and I have some sandwiches prepped and I’m ready to go to sleep now so I can wake up in 6 hours!
Fingers crossed it all goes well and everyone stays injury free. Pika, Wolf, and I have decided that if something happens and we’re not feeling it, we’ll just camp like normal and make whatever is left a 2 day stretch. As kind as Gary was for letting us camp in his yard, I’m really looking forward to a hotel room and a bed to myself! So, that might be motivation enough to keep pushing tomorrow. I guess we’ll find out!
Wish us luck! Goodnight!