Rockies - Day Two

Written on 7/10/98 - Thursday

I am currently sitting on on the slopes of Dark Mountain, underneath the Bridal Veil Falls, eating, and observing one predatory chipmunk approach my bag with caution. It is as if he knows that I am watching, and is counting on me to slip up so that he can crawl inside and raid my supply of granola bars. I have attempted to scare him off by taking a photo of him, but alas, to no avail! He is my only worry in the world now, excepting my decreasing water supply. I misjudged how thirsty I would become over the hike, and only brought one container. What remains will hopefully be enough for the return journey.

I have concluded thus far that I worry far too much about what tomorrow will bring, things and duties that are required of me back home, the rest of the summer, the school semesters, and so forth from there. I must begin with all earnestness to concentrate my thoughts on the current moment, in order to not worry about tomorrow.

There is far more time to be made out of the day than we give it credit for. I'll stop here for now, for the mist is wetting my pages.

--

I have just had my first full pipe of tobacco, sitting here by the fire. I can see how it could be pleasing if one can get the hang of it. Nonetheless, it was quite entertaining to smoke a pipe on the slope of a mountain.

I am rather frightened of hiking up to Lawn Lake tomorrow. It will be a long 4 1/2 mile hike, uphill most of the way. I do hope I can get out of here on time to get on the trail before the sun starts to get hot.

I saw my first--and hopefully last--bear today. It came upon me while I was going to the bathroom in the woods. It was one of the most terrifying moments of my life: defenseless and pants-less! However, the bear, as soon as I moved in surprise, turned tail and ran away. I spent the better part of the hour talking to myself and reading Thoreau out loud to alert any other creatures to my presence.