Big climb on the menu this day. 3 miles and 3080 ft elevation gain, with a 2080 descent to Morning Star campground via Triple Divide Pass. This pass is considered a hydrological apex wherein melt off from this pass flows to three separate oceans: Pacific, Atlantic and Artic Ocean (sort of)

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We tread through a lush forest and watch as the striking jagged grey peaks loom ever closer. We take our time. We have all day to make 14.7 miles. The sky was still remarkably “clear” considering the volume of fires that are burning west and southwest of our location.

During our approach to the pass, we ran into our first CDT thru-hiker. “Pop Tart” was walking to the border and then back to East Glacier where he’d continue his SOBO trek of the CDT. We mentioned that he could always get a ride back from the border, but dismissed the notion, saying that he had “nothing but time”, and ‘who wouldn’t want to spend two weeks in GNP’.

Two thirds up the pass, we spied a herd of sheep frolicking in the remaining snow drifts. Nearby were several massive rams under the shade of a rock pile watching with indifference.

We crested the pass and enjoyed our lunch with probably one of greatest views in the world. https://photos.app.goo.gl/Fb9EpTqSN4wEuTro7

It was here that Jan earned his trail name, Sheepgoat. The man is part sheep, AND goat. Denmark’s highest elevation is 400 ft, and yet Jan climbs with little to no effort…compared to us. Granted he’s at least 10 years younger, but the man is a machine. He also can’t tell the difference between a sheep and a goat…hence Sheepgoat.

We could have stayed atop the pass much longer but what goes up, must come down. In this case all the way down to the Morningstar Lake campground.

After a short nap on a bridge we continued to the campground with visions of taking a swim, but we were greeted by a fastidious horde of mosquitoes. At least they respect the DEET.

The campground was mostly full, so we squeezed into a space not far from the privy.

We dined with some nice young couples at the food prep area, and were entertained by their repeated attempts to launch their food lines over the bear hang pole.

After awhile, we clued them into using a weighted bag to get the carabineer and line over the pole.

Sheepgoat got treated to his first trail magic, as another couple had extra ‘ground hog’ tent stakes. Now he didn’t have to use his big plastic yellow ones that he got at a convenience store.