Up at 4:30 AM this morning. Feeling good. It’s a nice 60° outside. Getting an early start this morning I have a lot of climbing today. Between here and Lincoln I’ll go over the Continental divide twice and I think I have six or 7000 feet of climbing in the next 65 miles. But, The day off has done me good and I feel ready to go.
7:03 AM 10.4 miles in. I started in Helena today at 3800 feet I’m at 4448 feet now still a lot of climbing today. Just turned off the highway on the gravel. The dirt road is still wet so it’s gonna be a long hard slog up to the first continental divide peek.
7:36 AM 12.7 miles in at 4952 feet and climbing. I’m in Helena national Forest there are private houses on each side of the road back in the trees tall pine trees quiet nice area. Eating a piece of carrot cake I bought at the gas station and some orange juice.
8:45 AM just topped priest Pass at 6042 feet. Nice cool morning lots of climbing but not too bad…some 13% and 14% grades but I’m feeling pretty good.
9:50 AM 21.9 miles in at 5800 feet stopped at a big field. I got a muffin that I bought a couple days ago having some early lunch…cranberry muffin and Gatorade nice morning.
12:07 31.5 miles in I got to the old Empire mine…old gold, silver, copper mine. Nice day. Taking a break having some beef jerky and Gatorade. Keeping it short….need to keep moving…lots more climbing to do today
2:38 PM 45.3 miles in still climbing the second big peak today. It’s hot and this climate is steep some 14-15% grades that I just have to get off and push.
3:36 PM 37.5 miles and 7030 feet I think I’m at the top of the last climb. And there’s a thunderstorm moving in so I need to get off this mountain.
Missed a turn and am off my route. Tried to correct by going down a side train…big mistake. Went down about two miles and it deadened. Had to backtrack the two miles and added about 500 feet of climbing.
5:25 pm. Finally made it to Lincoln. A very tough day. One of the hardest climbing days I’ve ever done. 6,352 feet of climbing over 70 miles. I’m worn out. Finding something to eat and hitting the sack.
Pics:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/mqz87s8035nmfy8/AACLF4H5Dne1erSVWQUL35roa?dl=0
