Part Four: Hiking My Feelings in the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne - Yosemite National Park

PART FOUR // Bear poop everywhere

We finally made it to Pate Valley, our first place to call home on this trip. I was motivated by three things in the last few intense miles: a promise of a swimming hole, vegan Mac n Cheese from Outdoor Herbivore, and the prospect of a seeing a bear.

Prior to this trip, as far as I'm concerned, bears may as well have been unicorns. We hiked 600+ miles during the Hiking My Feelings Tour last year through areas known for bear activity like Yosemite, Glacier, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and up and down the east coast where black bears are aplenty. Did I see *one* bear? Nope.

So to me, 🐻=🦄. Mystical creatures of the mountains and forests, best left to my imagination, apparently.

When Barry and I were preparing for this trip, he sat through the meeting with the ranger who confirmed there had been a lot of bear activity in Pate Valley. Of the seven people we saw on the trail the first day, only one group had seen bears, and they saw them in Glen Aulin, which we wouldn't pass through until day three.

So when we rolled up on our campsite, dodging bear poop with every step, I thought maybe this would be the night. 🤞

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not looking for a cuddle puddle with a bear. I just want to see one from a safe distance and witness their majesty and beauty. That's all. Casual bear observations. No harm for either party.

Did I get that on night one? Nope. But I did get to jump in this swimming hole, allow my eyes to roll all the way back in my head when eating the "Cheddar" Mac from Outdoor Herbivore and enjoy the first of my saving grace beverages: Oleo Life (dehydrated then rehydrated) coconut water with CBD. Hydration + relaxation = crucial for muscle recovery after 12.42 miles and 3,692 elevation change while hauling 33+ pounds on my back.

PS if you've seen my talk on tour and remember my "Ariel moment" gone wrong in the ocean while hiking the TCT, this moment, captured beautifully by Barry, was my redemption. 🧜🏼

Part 5 tomorrow!