4/19/23
Day 119

This was my first time hiking Cathedral Ledge, ever. I’ve never been one to want to visit the popular areas of The Whites, which is why the majority of the trails I haven’t seen are ones that most have. It was a really nice day for a hike, and although chilly and spitting snow, I very much enjoyed the day. There really is nothing like walking on dirt, mud, rocks, and roots. I genuinely feel like all winter I was doing something else because to me hiking will always require touching the earth with my feet, smelling the soil with my nose, and feeling the sun warming my skin. 

Walking on dirt, though, is causing me to have to relearn how to hike, to relearn how to pace myself, and how to be lighter on my feet. To fly over the tops of rocks, and to let my lungs keep up with my legs. It’s the usual spring transition that happens every year, but I don’t remember it being this hard before. Perhaps that’s because I’ve never spent so many days walking on snow in the past. Either way, I’m relishing this season. 

Daily Miles: 6.83

Daily Vert: 1934’

Overall Miles: 1212.73

Overall Vert: 351,258’

Trace: 51.1% -> 51.4%

Trails:

Echo Lake

Bryce Path

Bryce Link

White Horse Ledge Trail

Red Ridge Link