Day 22: April 15, 2023
AZT mile 307.0 to 327.5
Hiked today: 20.5 miles / 33.0 km
AZT ascents today: 1488m , descents: 622m
AZT hiked to date: 40.9%

Today’s feature was the climb up Montana Mountain. The name sounds repetitive, which aptly describes the path that was persistently steep and rocky. In the heat of the midday sun, climbing was a real chore. At the top, we had just enough reception to phone Gary.

After leaving in the rescue helicopter,  he was taken to a town called Superior, where his cousin/friend was able to collect him. Gary is staying with Jim for a few days while he sorts out a flight back to Seattle where he can attend to his problem knee.

After a well-earned lunch break, we made the steep descent down Montana and, for a while, followed a creek, crossing it frequently as the path wound from one side to the other. After collecting and filtering a litre of water each, we headed up another steep ascent. This section of the trail is in a bad state of disrepair. Much is overgrown with thorny branches, and the path has been heavily eroded. Sometimes, we were jumping across short sections which had washed away entirely. Although it was a steep ascent, this time we were often in the shade, the temperature had dropped, and we had a pleasant breeze to help cool us down.

Nevertheless, it was another stretch of hard work, so, after summiting, we started to look out for a suitable campsite. We found a flat tent site close to a creek, and after eating a delicious freeze dried dinner, we are ready for bed.