Through hikers do 20 mile days because they have to cover hundreds (over a thousand) miles. Recreationally, I try to stay around 10 miles a day. So I would have done this in 3 days. Which I think would have made a big difference to your experience. Sounds like Becka was the veteran showing you how to do it. But my experience is that you NEVER let someone else to your land navigation. Maybe because I am confident that I am better than most at it and because every time I trust someone else, they take a wrong turn. At least if I make the mistake, I can't blame anyone else.
How terrified were you of bears?? You seemed oddly chill about it lol. My wife and I did a couple hikes in Yellowstone when we were there a couple months ago and we were terrified. I mean almost to the point of not hiking at all. I’m from the east coast with virtually no bears. And most will 99.99% of the time just run away. I’m never scared of a bear when I hike but there…I couldn’t stop thinking about it and it made it hard to enjoy. But I still did love it!
I was a little scared, but fortunately was hiking with my sister who has worked at Yellowstone for the last three summers and has lots of experience hiking in the backcountry. We carried bear spray and tried to make noise as we hiked, so the bears (if there were any near us) would be aware of our presence. We didn't run into any bears at all thankfully.
I get a stick about a foot long when doing a bear hang. Wow 10 miles the first day is a lot! 20 the next day holy cow! What an amazing hike!
Through hikers do 20 mile days because they have to cover hundreds (over a thousand) miles. Recreationally, I try to stay around 10 miles a day. So I would have done this in 3 days. Which I think would have made a big difference to your experience. Sounds like Becka was the veteran showing you how to do it. But my experience is that you NEVER let someone else to your land navigation. Maybe because I am confident that I am better than most at it and because every time I trust someone else, they take a wrong turn. At least if I make the mistake, I can't blame anyone else.
Who's your friend?
How terrified were you of bears?? You seemed oddly chill about it lol. My wife and I did a couple hikes in Yellowstone when we were there a couple months ago and we were terrified. I mean almost to the point of not hiking at all. I’m from the east coast with virtually no bears. And most will 99.99% of the time just run away. I’m never scared of a bear when I hike but there…I couldn’t stop thinking about it and it made it hard to enjoy. But I still did love it!
I was a little scared, but fortunately was hiking with my sister who has worked at Yellowstone for the last three summers and has lots of experience hiking in the backcountry. We carried bear spray and tried to make noise as we hiked, so the bears (if there were any near us) would be aware of our presence. We didn't run into any bears at all thankfully.