Day 4 of the AZT

Mileage: 13.5

Weather: Sunny – 30-62 temps

We started the morning coming down the mountain campsite and back on the snow covered trail. We got an early start because we knew the low temperatures would allow the snow and slush to harden and make it a little easier to walk on. It did help but inevitable we would have soaked feet. Within .5 our shoes and socks were drenched. I could feel my feet just swooshing around in my shoes. The footprints from the previous hikers were becoming more slush and it made it even harder to walk. Bottom line…walking in snow just sucks but as a backpacker, you embrace it and try to get to camp soon enough to allow you and your shoes to dry! Good luck!

We stopped for a lunch about 4 miles in since we found a crossing with a bear box full of water and a restroom! Score! If you are a backpacker then you know what it means to have a luxury of a toilet even if it is an outhouse! During lunch we took our shoes off and let the sun beat down on us! It felt great. Although we both knew as soon as we hit the trail again, we were restarting the cold wet process again.

The terrain was harder today especially with the snow. We were through 8 miles of burnt forest that looked like awake zone covered in snow. We both ended up having sun burned faces as the sun beat down and the snow was reflecting back on us.

We met up with a backpacker checking out the trail. He is supposed to start his journey in a couple days. It’s his second time doing it and he is trying to set a record of 13 days! That would be amazing if he makes it but this snow will make it a challenge!

We set up our tent on the best spot we could find which was at a slight slant but we managed. We watched the sunset and ate our dinner. It was relaxing. It was time to get some sleep so we can turn in.

Shortly after starting to fall asleep I heard a noise. Then suddenly Family Mule felt something under him. He lifted up and we could see something under the tent! He got out of the tent and lifted it…WE WERE ON A MOUSE COLONY! Yuck!! We had to move our tent over a foot and then shined the light on the ground. The mice were running out of the hole and one was trying to run up family miles leg, he was kicking it away from the tent. After the battle, we were able to get some rest.