Wow, what a day. I met Dirtmonger this morning as I was breaking camp. We talked for a while. He has been doing 20-25 miles a day. Last year he did the Continental Divide Trail and he is doing the AZT in high gear though he admitted to finding tougher than expect. We talked about easier miles ahead. He asked me — and this is a question only a thruhiker would ask — if I was doing any other thruhikes this year. After all being able to start the ZAT so early in the season, and it being only 800 miles leaves most of the North American hiking season available for other trails. I told him that I plan on finishing th elast 250 miles of the Great Colorado Loop. His plans were for the Hayduke Trail, Colorado Trail, and Grand Enchantment Trail ~ 3000+ miles. So he has plans. Then in a puff of trail dust he was gone.

Today there was inclement weather. I was fortunate and only experienced bitterly cold winds during the ridge walk. They weren't as cold as Hutch's Pool, but wow. I'd say scorned woman bitter. Numerous places in the distance appeared to be getting some rain too, although I never felt more than a few drops. Looks like tomorrow's mountain got a soaking however. The real trial today was the hike down trail 120. "Trail" my ass. That was bushwhacking from cairn to cairn. Lots of it was through and across dry streambed but other sections were through overgrown forest. It was ludicrously technical walking especially while favoring my left foot. Oh, and I got poked and gouged by various angry plants a record number of times today. My arms and legs are tore up.