Have you ever tried pooping in the woods while a giant swarm of mosquitoes incessantly attacks you? I have, and I can tell you it isn’t pleasant. Welcome to mosquito hell.
The day started out pleasantly enough. A couple of short climbs over mountain ridges led steeply down into narrow creek canyons. While trying to cross Piute Creek over a log jam, I stepped onto what looked like solid wood and my leg immediately plunged deep into the dark water. Let that be a lesson to never trust wood as a foothold. It was a minor inconvenience however, and I continued trekking over another small pass and along pretty Wilma Lake. By the time I got to Falls Creek, I had hiked 17 miles and was about ready to find a spot to set up camp.
Unfortunately Falls Creek turned out to be a muddy marsh, and as I walked ahead with one eye out for a good tentsite, the mosquito hordes descended. I quickly put my head net on, only to trap several mosquitoes inside it with me. Smashing those I could see I ran ahead, bloody mosquito corpses rolling around the bottom of the net. The only thing to do was to try to keep moving fast enough that the vicious bugs didn’t have time to land and add another bite to my already swelling body. I had never hiked more than about 20 miles in a day before, but I kept on pushing well beyond that in hopes of reaching the end of this hellish nightmare swamp. My legs burning, I put earbuds in and started playing Linkin Park songs to keep me going. The trail often disappeared into the thick mud, forcing long detours to the side or risking getting my feet stuck. I imagined sinking down into the bog, the mosquitoes feasting on my ailing body as darkness fell. Some hiker would find me in the morning, covered in muck and swollen beyond all recognition.
After what felt like hours, I finally made it to some higher ground firm enough to pitch my tent. As soon as it was set I plunged inside, bringing a few of the bugs with me. Most remained stuck outside, and with a mixture of glee and horror I watched them cling in their hundreds to the tent mesh. I just hoped they wouldn’t be there in the morning.
Russell on the Road 