Category: Uncategorized
Day 119 – October 24
3 Highlights: • Hot springs dip mid-hike • People sharing food like we’re a charity case: fruits, bars, burgers… you name it • Seeing the cliff dwellings where Native Americans lived in the 1300s Daily Summary: • Distance hiked: 26 km • Starting point: Gila 83 • Ending point: Gila 57 • Weather conditions: Hot… Read more
Day 118 – October 23
3 Highlights: • Stunning vistas of the Gila Canyon • Finding a hot spring before camp • Enjoying dinner by the fire Daily Summary: • Distance hiked: 38 km • Starting point: Gila 119 km • Ending point: Gila 83 km • Weather conditions: Very cold in the canyon until noon Reflections (Challenges, Insights, Musings):… Read more
Day 117 – October 22
3 Highlights: • A Gatorade from a successful elk hunter • Spotting a skunk on the road in the early morning • Entering the stunning Gila Valley Daily Summary: • Distance hiked: 43.5 km • Starting point: Gila 163 km • Ending point: Gila 119 km • Weather conditions: Sunny Reflections (Challenges, Insights, Musings): Woke… Read more
Day 116 – October 21
3 Highlights: • Vistas from the top of the climbs • Lunch break with a tent-drying session • Nature’s treats: New Mexico pine nuts Daily Summary: • Distance hiked: 42 km • Starting point: Aragon Well • Ending point: Gila ~163 km • Weather conditions: Sunny but chilly Reflections (Challenges, Insights, Musings): The day started… Read more
Day 115 – October 20
3 Highlights: • Spotting elk again along the trail • Coffee and generosity from hunters • Breakfast at Davila Ranch Daily Summary: • Distance hiked: 40 km • Starting point: Davila Ranch • Ending point: Aragon Well (~km 4228) • Weather conditions: Sunny but chilly, max 13°C Reflections (Challenges, Insights, Musings): Started the day with… Read more
Day 114 – October 19
3 Highlights: • Breakfast with the crew in Pie Town • Eggs and a hot shower at Davila Ranch • Finding my resupply box Daily Summary: • Distance hiked: 21 km • Starting point: Pie Town • Ending point: Davila Ranch • Weather conditions: Snow, hail, and rain Reflections (Challenges, Insights, Musings): Woke up several… Read more
Day 113 – October 18
3 Highlights: • Meeting “70” at TLC Ranch • Eating pie with other hikers in Pie Town • Warming up in the Toaster House while it snowed outside Daily Summary: • Distance hiked: 47 km • Starting point: km 4101 • Ending point: km 4149 • Weather conditions: Crazy winds, windy with sand Reflections (Challenges,… Read more
Day 112 – October 17
3 Highlights: • Three hitchhikes when I needed them most • Genuine human interactions on the trail • Reconnecting with friends and family Daily Summary: • Distance hiked: 38 km • Starting point: Grants • Ending point: km 4102 (2 km left on Cebola alternate) • Weather conditions: Cloudy and windy, mixed with sunshine Reflections… Read more
Day 111 – October 16
3 Highlights: • Cappuccino and exchanging my Darn Tough socks • Relaxing at Motel 6 • Getting picked up by a bus to avoid a long walk Daily Summary: • Distance hiked: 30 km • Starting point: km 3947 • Ending point: Grants • Weather conditions: Mixed—dark clouds and light rain Reflections (Challenges, Insights, Musings):… Read more
Day 110 – October 15
3 Highlights: • Trail angel water after 20 km • Clouds and shade—a rare gift • Companionship on the trail with Semper Dry and Hop Daily Summary: • Distance hiked: 52 km • Starting point: km 3895 • Ending point: km 3947 • Weather conditions: Mixed Reflections (Challenges, Insights, Musings): Woke up in the middle… Read more