Day 45 - 15th May - Lake Watanga to Iron Mt. Shelter - 13.3 miles

We circle the lake edge until we reach the dam wall and start climbing steeply up a ridge. We have great views of the lake as we climb over two hours steadily to the top. This ridgeline is parallel with the lake for the rest of the day.

It is a great day for wildlife. We see our first rattle snake - it is shedding its skin right next to the track.

We point it out to two young men hiking for the day - they are thrilled to see the rattlesnake and say 'thank you ma'am'. Although this form of address makes me feel about 100 years old, it is the height of politeness and respect to address a woman as 'ma,am', in the same way as you address a man as 'sir'. It takes me time but I get used to being called  'ma'am'. When I asked one hiker why he called me 'ma'am' he took the time to explain: 'From the time I was about six years old, if I didn't address a lady as ma'am, I would be walloped by my Pa.'

We also see a terrapin, some toads and two baby bears moving really fast descending from a tree as we approached. They were a black blurr - and we looked anxiously for mother bear . We knew she was there somewhere.

We arrive at Iron Mt. Shelter and put up the tent. Just in time. The afternoon thunderstorm arrives. We share the campsite with a young college man, who is out for a few weeks hiking during the break. He does not have a trail name yet, but is later to be called 'Fly Boy' because all the flies are attracted to him. He is carrying a huge load and it is topped off with a 2 litre water container perched on top.

During the night, we hear our water container being dragged away from the tent. Digby shines the torch to see a raccoon with the handle of the container between his teeth. Our first and only encounter with a raccoon. The only thing we know about raccoons is that Davey Crockett wore a raccoon hat with a long tail. It is about the size of a cat.