Day One to Thrashers Cove

For those of you who said I was crazy to do this, you were right. This is by far the most difficult thing I have ever done. Day one, thankfully one of the hardest days was a million times harder than I ever imagined it would be. We started the day with eggs, bacon, orange juice, home style potatoes and a very, very delicious cup of coffee. Our bags were packed and ready to go and we were at the docks by 8:30. We weighed ours packs at the dock and mine weighed a glorious 39 pounds. I am the smallest person in my group and have already been named little legs... I guess that's better than big ass. Haha
There are 10 of us, 9 are women. Also at the docks waiting were 2 young couples and a group of four Chinese from Edmonton. We will probably see them often as they are the only people we have seen heading north like us.

The 8 of them got the first shuttle across the channel to the trailhead followed by the 10 of us on the 2nd one. We still started at 0845 ahead of schedule. As we waited it started to rain but too warm for rain gear....I just let it rain down on me. It was a 10 minute boat ride if that. We walked off the boat ramp onto a tiny, little beach and there, 20 feet in front of me was my first test of strength. A ladder. This one very high and completely vertical.

First one up was Chris, our guide, then Cindy, Jan then my turn. Adrenaline kicked in... I didn't look down and I didn't look up... just at the next rung, 3 points of contact. It was difficult and we were all feeling anxious. Clumsy me, dropped my poles. Luckily one person at a time and never stand at the bottom.

Once we all managed to climb to the top, we began the very, very long trek through the woods. The trail was very muddy, with roots everywhere and fallen logs to climb over and under. Many technical spots which involved climbing roots or rocks around massive trees. Some bridges that had been destroyed by the elements in the winter re routed us through some difficult terrain. Bugs aren't too bad at all...only one rest stop near a creek had some feisty little buggers but that's it. We filled our waters at a creek and treated it, the 20 minute wait to drink it felt like forever.

I was the first to fall and hold the record at 3 times. Once slid down on my ass and twice from loss of balance. No injuries however once I was maneuvering around a tree with only a collection of giant roots to secure me and my one leg slipped straight down to my thigh between two roots. I had to pull myself straight back up to avoid breaking my leg. With an extra 40lbs on my back this was no easy task. The thought of a broken femur and the worst possible location for rescue had me seriously questioning my decision to do this. The biggest challenge aside from the amount of steep climbing (yes my quads are screaming) was how slippery everything is. The descent to Thrasher's Cove was intense. 4 more ladders to descend. I believe I have reached muscle exhaustion. My legs are so tired they feel unstable. My hope is that I can recover by morning so I am able to repeat.

Arriving here at this beautiful beach was initially a scramble to find a spot to put up a tent. Most of the beach is covered in driftwood, massive logs and whats not covered is in the high tide line and nobody wants to wake up with the ocean hitting their tent. Our kitchen was set up quickly and a lunch spread of salami, cheese and crackers was laid out. After pitching my tent and getting organized,  I finally explored my beach. It was early afternoon when we got here. We hiked 7.8kms in 5 hours which is actually good time in these conditions. I've been soaking my aching feet in ice cold ocean water and have cleaned up, changed into camp clothes and compression sleeves are on the knees. We have had tea and now just wait for dinnertime...I plan to eat well and sleep like I never have before. Tomorrows agenda has yet to be decided... back up into the treacherous woods or walk along the slippery boulder beach. (My vote is for the beach)
Dinner was pasta with sundried tomatoes and tomato sauce with parmesan and it was delish.

The last bit of sunlight has left the beach area and we are comfortable by the fire. It turns out a man has hurt his shoulder having fallen today multiple times. A man from his group came to us hoping for a radio and although we were intending to use our means to get help, Parks Canada have arrived. Randomly they came by our beach asking if everybody is ok and this injured man is now being taken out by rescue by boat.

A bit of a reality check for the rest of us on day one. The fog is rolling in and the damp cold that I feared has arrived.