JOHNSON LAKE, MT
The day started at Page Lake, which was a nice camp spot. It was a pleasant day as we headed out, but it turned out to be pretty challenging. We had 4 big climbs to do and a 5th one at the end for our camping spot. The climbs are tough, but the views in the Anaconda-Pintlar wilderness are worth it.
After lunch we started to get hail, then sporadic rain the rest of the day. At 4 pm I stopped halfway up our 4th climb. When HoJo came by he sat for a short while but then got cold due to everything being wet and started hiking again. I followed behind a few minutes after. Down the trail I came to a split in the trail and verified turning left. I wondered if HoJo missed it and went straight, but there was nothing I could do about it. As I started up the climb it became more likely he missed the turn. I arrived at our dinner spot Johnson Lake and did not see HoJo. I made my dinner in the rain as HoJo came by, both of us cold and wet. We agreed to camp here and forego the 5th climb. We’ll try to make up some miles tomorrow.
Boy, does a dry tent and warm sleeping bag feel
good after a day like this. Embracing the Brutality!