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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Fried Green Experience 