Day 94 - Smoke, Swimming and Snow - July 8
I awake at the camping spot on the saddle before the sun rose, packing up my bright blue tent. I have 23 miles to hike today to reach the road at Etna and thumb a ride, so there’s no time to waste today. I walk through fields blooming with yellow flowers, none as spectacular as yesterday’s show. My mind wanders as I climb up a long hill after passing a paved road with little traffic. Reaching the top of the climb, the trees clear and present a view of a foggy forested valley. I see the occasional patch of snow near the trail. The next climb is a short but steep switchback cutting across a rocky slope. Two patches of snow greet me with icy impassiveness. The first is well trod and I walk across easily. The second presents a problem. It begins as a ledge of thin snow beckoning out to me over the trail. I can see that it is hollow underneath. I’m not interested in the invitation to posthole deep into the rocks below. I clambered over the boulders on the side of the hil
