CDT Day 10 (5/28/23)

Miles 226.9 (Pink line mile 57.6)- 253.9 (Pink line mile 84.6) (27 miles)

Verbatim

It’s a tired sort of day on trail. And the sunlight is hot! Even in the Gila. I fell in the Gila twice today! Oopsies. They happened one crossing after the other. The first was more detrimental. I initially fell forward but slipped in a way which had me land on my back side. So, both sides of me got wet. My pack got wet. My shorts and sweater got wet. Ironic thing was, before I crossed I looked across the stream and saw the work of the relenteless sun beating down on the ponderosa pine, slab rock, and dry grasses. I was chagrined at the realization that there would be no more shade cast by the canyon walls. About thirty seconds later, however, I was gratefully drying my things out on the other side.

I thought about getting naked, to dry everything out faster, but then was anxious that Fixie would come around the corner and see me there. I do not want to sexualize any part of me right now. Although, the fact I’m even concerned about that shows how sensitive I am to the whole notion of physical chemistry. ———————.

I’ve got about 9 more miles until I’m out of the Gila proper. The pink alternate continues on for quite a few more miles. I’m excited to get out of the river, even if just for the notion of progress implicated by the changing scene. It’s not so many days to Pie Town, nor from there to Grants. I’m expecting to catch a few more hikers in Pie Town. I’ll be intrigued though if there are many left of any actual hiking substance. (Damn Andrew. That was really judgmental. What the hell?) I guess it’s feeling a little lonely out here.

I’m resting at Snow Lake in the evening shade and all is well. There’s water 5 miles north, which means my carry out and tomorrow is easy. I’ve been massaging my achilles with the burning salve I got in Silver City and that’s nice. I’m imagining the pleasure of trail running with Nathan through golden fields like these. Life’s good. If only for a moment. I’m sure I’ll start cursing again as soon as I’m walking. Thankfully the next section is prettier and more mountainous than the land before the Gila. It’s good to be onto the next stretch. And, I think I’ve done my food right. There should be enough, if poor in variety. Peanut butter/nutella wraps just don’t do it for me. If I’m out of other things, there’s eggs in three days at Davilla Ranch. Should be fun to get service tomorrow evening. I’ll call Nathan I think.

Just had a super flowy 6.2 miles this evening out from snow lake. Talked to some locals and learn the five red raccoon things I saw are Quadimundi (coatimundi). :)

Post Note

Ah man. What a good day on trail. I love that section out of the Gila, by Snow Lake (a reservoir which is the first substantial body of water on the CDT for northbound thruhikers), and then up into the foothills. I remember popping a very bloody blister while resting by Snow Lake. I remember watching a family with kids all playing and eating dinner. It felt lonely to watch that. Made me want to have a family. I remember that morning just needing to sit down. I was desperate to make miles for some reason that day. The fatigue was definitely beginning to accumulate. When hungry, tired, and hurting the mood on trail can get pretty low. But you know, if you don’t walk you don’t eat. You can eat now, maybe. But unless you walk you won’t be eating tomorrow. And you need to eat. G-d you need to eat.

So yeah, sitting can feel like salvation. And then after you’ve sat for a while you get kind of antsy, and the weather or angle of the sun has changed, and you finally stopped thinking about her and you can move on with your day.

I remember the guy I talked to who taught me about the Coatimundi had so many tattoos. He was awesome. Turns out he was with the family I’d been watching earlier. Said he was Snake huntin’. Not to kill. No no, but to adore. Okay, “adore” is my word. But this guy literally just wanted to find and see the Snakes. He had snakes tattooed all over his body. He asked if I’d seen any, to which I said no. Then shared that I’d seen an animal I couldn’t identify and didn’t know existed. He was so excited to share with me. And then we were buddies and loved the animals together. Then I walked up the hill and drank water from the headwaters of the middle fork of the Gila, a stream polluted with a million cow patties. Mm. Yup. Fuck the cows. I want Snake water and Coatimundi water. No cow water please.