Entering Silverton, I felt more rundown than I had going into Pagosa Springs. After not sleeping well the last time I was in town combined with a fresh week of exhausting snow travel, I was ready for a few days rest before setting off again. When Juice, Fastball, and I managed to secure a hitch…
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Pagosa Springs provided a welcome respite from the grueling conditions of the San Juan’s. At least, Pagosa Springs would’ve if I had been able to sleep. When we arrived in town, every room in the place was booked; nevertheless, in true hiker trash fashion, we were able to jump in with Reality Check and Melon,…
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Mile 648 – 717 After four days in Chama, I had found a group to venture into the San Juan Mountains with. The conversation in town was dictated by the path ahead: who had made it through and what they had experienced. Hikers were splitting into two groups: those who were going on the high…
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Miles 565 – 647 When Cheshire Cat dropped us off at the trail from Abiquiu, I still hadn’t determined how far I wanted to go that day. There were rain clouds on the horizon and I knew I needed to find a sheltered campsite. Six miles later, I finally found such a spot in Oso…
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Mile 388-564 I didn’t run into any rabid dogs on my walk into Grants; the comments on Guthook said to look out for them. When I arrived at Lava Flow Hostel, I wasn’t certain I was at the right place. The outward appearance had a less than friendly look, but upon entering the forward-most building,…
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Do-do do-do do-do do-do… The early riser Apple alarm chimes softly from the tangle of the sleeping bag. Half asleep, I attempt to untwist myself from my silk sleeping bag liner as I feel around for my phone in the jumble of gear in my small, one-person tent. To keep my electronics from draining in…
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Mile 295-374 I really wanted to leave Davila Ranch early. I truly did. I was awake at midnight; I could’ve just rolled off my mat and hiked to Pie Town. I could’ve gotten up with Little Brown at 4 AM, when I woke up again to the sounds of his alarm. I was up at…
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Mile 182-294 The goal of getting into Doc Campbell’s Post the next morning was to re-supply and leave. Upon checking my pack, however, I realized that I had lost my gaiters at some point along the Gila. Before flinging myself into a full-scale pack dump, I remembered Topo had mentioned earlier that another hiker, Cat…
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Mile 92 – 181 No rain fell from the sky my night out from Lordsburg despite my preparations. I awoke later than I normally would’ve after a restless night sleep and continued my way across the vast plain that stretched north of the small desert town. Mountains loomed before me, but I still had a…
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Miles 0 – 84 The departure is always the hardest. Saying goodbye to friends and family, who you may not see for another five or six months, definitely stirs up the old tear ducts. “You’ll see us again! You’re coming back!” are the constant words of comfort. It doesn’t do much to help. I always…
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Fried Green Experience 