Valemount / highway 5

I am in valemount now.

At the bike shop I replaced my back rack, and got myself some bear spray, and some bear bangers. This, cost too much, and I will have to attempt to conserve my remaining funds.

Nevertheless, I think it was a good investment, as I now have some defence from bears. The next haul features a lot of empty mountainside, with few towns, or parks to speak of. This means stealth camping, and a very real risk of bears. It's also funny to think that I'm carrying a restricted weapon.

The heat has been turned on, it's somewhere between 30 and 35. This is why I leave early in the morning (even if today had a late start.)

My BC hippie beard is beginning to come in, I'm starting to look like a mountain man. I'm not sure how far I'll get today, and I suspect that the next three days will have cell service that is patchy at best.

I'll probably make kamloops in three days, if I keep up this pace. It's pretty much downhill from here.

HOWEVER:
On thre topic of hills, there's a big one on the way. The road goes up a kilometer in elevation between kamloops and merritt. That... Will perhaps be the singgle most difficult physical undertaking of my entire life. My bike + gear probably weigh in between 125-150 lbs. Plus my own ass.

I'm almost tempted to try and hitch a ride up that...