I was certain this was going to be a weather day….but I made it to Castlegar. I’m so happy I’m here but it was a very difficult day.
The plan was to get up at 0600, ready to roll at 0700. It poured rain all night, and when I woke up at 0600….there was no sign of it letting up. My fly moved a bit because I was sleeping on a wooden pole platform, and I wasn’t able to stake the fly, so the bottom of my sleeping bag got wet….not a big problem…. I don’t use the bottom 1/3 anyways!!!!
I settled in for a weather day…..at 0715 the Quebec boys came to tell me that they were leaving….they could see some blue sky!!!! It took me 0.5 seconds to decide that I was going too. They were already packed and on their way to breakfast. I quickly packed up….my tent was soaking wet, but I rolled it up….wrung out some of the water, and I was ready to go.
I didn’t want to waste time with breakfast, so I bought a cookie and two homemade granola bars, ate half of one and I was in the way. At 5 km was the start of the big hill…..the biggest hill….a monster hill…and I wasn’t even afraid! 1100 meters over 22 km. There had been two smaller hills with 150 meters before the monster.
I started…and was pleasantly surprised….2-3% grade….things were going well. A bit of rain, but mostly sun, so I stripped down to my t-shirt….and kept on going. Eventually I noticed that I had done 2/3 of the distance but only half of the elevation gain. That can only mean one thing…..the majority of the elevation gain was at the end….ughhhh!!!! This is when it started to rain….then hail….then snow….then more rain! Eventually I made it to the top….i was looking for the sign….eventually I found it….across the ditch - high up on the slope…too far away for a selfie! Well I tried anyways.
Now I was ready for the downhill…..but it was cold. I put all my clothes back on, and full gloves…..and I froze for the 2 hours it took to get down. I was so happy to get to the campground and hop into a hot shower. Luxury!!!! I hung my tent to dry out, and the campground lady put us under a shelter! So kind.
Now we are in a pub….warm and dry, and finally some food. All I ate today was 1 1/2 granola bars, and the cookie, and two bottles of water. I am ready for a bacon cheese burger and a beer!!! So glad the day is done, and so glad I did it! Plan for tomorrow is Nelson then part way to Balfour ferry.
Most of the way there wasn’t any service, so I received all the texts and comments near the end….just when I needed it most….thank you!!!!!
2 comments:
You are one determined lady! Koodos to you Lucille for pushing on when most would give in! Am I surprised! Not!
Wishing you sunny skies ahead and less grades!
A tough day indeed for a gal who is more than capable of meeting the challenge. I shivered thinking about the downhill run wet, brrrrrr. Hope that is the last big one. You really do amaze us Loosewheel. Hope it was a hearty thick dark beer.
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