Continuous hiking. Mile 109.5 to 266.2

This is a selfish hike. It truly is. I'm abandoning society in pursuit of the temporary bliss in the outdoors. I'm no longer contributing to society. Just spending money to be happy. 

And yet, I've been rewarded with the best of humanity. Never have so many strangers wanted to start a conversation with me. The hikers are happy and sore. The non-hikers are fascinated and full of questions. Everyone wants to give to each other. The notion of "pass it forward" is law here. I love it! But I don't understand it. 

The theme of this section is closures and companions. 

By mile 109.5 our group had grown large. We started a hiking train. It was much different than the lone hiking before. Too many people in my opinion. Luckily we encountered our first fire closure. About 15 miles were closed, but there was a 20 mile detour to Idlewild around the closure. I was surprised to find out that most people chose to just hitch to Idlewild instead of walk the detour. We were now just 4 people. The ones who wanted to walk to canada, no skipping. 

I've now made it through the 2 closures of this section with nothing but my feet to guide me. The hard part of navigating the big closures is over. I'm 10% done. Just 2393 miles to go. 

Just before we arrived in Big Bear Lake at mile 266, we hiked 27 miles through a snow storm. It was the hardest day yet. We camped on snow. I woke up to frozen water bottles and frozen shoes too stiff to fit on my feet. I waited for the sun to rise and melt them before finishing the trek to Big Bear. 

Cars and planes are easy. Walking is a chore. 

Yet now more than ever, I am seeing more. 

What's the point of going faster, if you don't see anything. 

As I walk I see life changing, wonders that the day will bring. 

Sage bush of the desert, lying low to the ground

Changes to the mountains, with tall pine trees abound. 

The sage becomes pine.

A bush grows to tree.

Hills become mountains.

Growth all around me.

Life springs upward with the rising elevation.

Does it chase the sun? What is its destination?

As I climb the peaks, am I doing the same?

Chasing the sun in this never ending game. 

But at the top of the mountain, the pine shrinks to lichen. 

Is this life's respectful bow?

Does it understand the sun now?

I climbed so high to reach you, but I know I never will.

Am I a better man for trying, or was this all for nil?