Going radio silent for hopefully about 9 days. Currently in Nelson but hitching back up to Pelorus Bridge tomorrow morning and starting my attempt at the Richmond Range. Due to scary camp fire stories and lots of warning from locals, I'm not taking this section lightly and rented an emergency beacon. Too many tales of cliffing out and getting lost in low hanging cloud. I have a window for weather it looks like, so will try to get through the peaks before anything big can come in.
Body is looking much better after 3 days of meds. If things start to deteriorate again, not taking any chances and hiking out. Gotta respect the money maker; these feet don't work fo free.
Lots of nerves and excitement and trying not to do anything stupid. Don't ford rivers at high flow, check. Wait out storms in huts, CHECK. The pack will get lighter as you go, copy. On the steep sections, channel Kelli Roemer: Grind. It. Out.
Note: Nelson is apparently the place to talk forestry. Rode next to a timber faller on the way here and chatted today with a Canadian who owns a small timber track outside of town. Nice to relax and talk about something aside from the normal backpackers conversation. The faller even showed me some sweet pictures of his work site out on the Marlborough Sound.
After reading the newspaper today, I hope everyone is taking stock of how lucky most of us are. There are some cruel people in this world, and we can't be afraid to face them even if we fear their actions. While there are "safer" places, we can't be afraid to expose ourselves to the world because of a fear of random acts of violence. We stand a better chance of being injured any time we get in a car or eat an unhealthy meal. I thought a lot about my friends and loved ones today, and I know that we all suffer from and find joy in the art of living. I hope that everyone found a bit of joy today, even if only briefly.
Thinking of home.
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