Blue Mountain E2E - Day 2

 

There were some pretty views today, but there are often pretty views.
Today was really about the rocks.

Today's Stats:

Distance: 24.2km
Elevation Gain:  845m
Weather: Ideal - 8ish degrees, mostly overcast but some sun periods

Thoughts from after 

Today was all about the rocks in the second section.  The first "technical" section I'm very glad I was following someone who knew where they were going, because I don't think it would've occurred to me to take that route ;).   And after the first one when it occurred again later (albeit not *quite* so intense) at least I had a concept of how it'd work and where to consider looking for the next marker.   This section was so incredibly cool, but I have to admit, fairly exhausting.  Esp as w the bugs, stoping to take a break was less than enjoyable.  The last part didn't involve rocks, but they'd taken so much out of me that I was definitely ready to be done at the end and not at all thrilled about the last little hike through the woods after the "final" checkpoint.  Sheesh.   Still, for a day I honestly didn't even expect to start, I'm pretty proud to have finished.   And I actually have legitimate hope for tomorrow now!

Live Posts:

22:10:

Today’s map

May 25, Blue Mountain Bruce Trail, northern section

20:22

Day 2 End to End

15:30: 3rd set of pics:

So I’d been making good time till the rocks, after the rocks I admit I was tired - more muscle tired than pain (win!) but still definitely tired. Was not good about food or water today. Fail.

The last couple kms, all downhill, my knee reminded me it wasn’t happy so those were less fun. Even worse was realizing that after the final checkpoint was still a ~.5km walk to the car? Rude.

But overall fun day, esp since last night I wasn’t sure I’d be able to make it, and that middle section w the rocks was incredible. 5/5 stars. Highly recommend. Wear really effective bug spray

15:34 2nd set of pics:

Knee was not an issue today? Like not completely sound but also able to navigate stairs and not really obviously lame when I started. As I warmed up it got better. By the end I was sore again but only in the last couple kms.

Which is important cause the section after the first rest stop was insane. Incredible but insane. Rocks bigger than I am we had to go up or down (I wish I’d taken a pic of the first down!). I had to be v strategic to navigate that without risking extra injury but I managed. At points the only indication of a trail was the blazes - find your way across the rocks to the next blaze.

15:30 1st set of pics:

We started in Blue Mountains and hiked south about 22kms. There was a detour I was really disappointed about around the scenic caves. Detour itself was horse country, so lovely, but I’d been looking forward to that part of the trail!

9:26:

About 10k in. Phone is being temperamental so no live update pics today but it's going really well and stunningly gorgeous.

8:02:

Stunning Start!

7:42:

Let the games begin!

6:26: So... Do I meet the criteria of Sound? No. Am I going anyways? Yes. Are you surprised by this? That might depend whether you actually know me ;)

Follow up - slightly twingy but not bad. Jen volunteered to be my backup plan and come rescue me if that changes. Also didn’t sleep last night so not sure what nuance that might add.