AZT Day #1 – The hike

AZT GO!!!

I woke up several times during the night after traveling. Basically all of Friday night, and I had only slept a total of at least 3 hours before waking up at 5:30 and just existing. I got ready and went to have breakfast around 6:00. I ate some sausage, a peanut butter bagel and went out to wait for my ride.

My shuttle arrived early and luckily it was just me and one other person at the first hotel so we were able to get up and leave, went to the next one and picked up a German couple and another solo hiker. We started the mile, hour and a half drive to Montezuma Pass with a pit stop where I bought a Red Bull and an Uncrustable, which is a fan favorite where we took pictures of Uncrustables in pretty spots. My nice location ended up being the gas station because I ate it before I could take another photo. However, I later got clumps of nerdy gummies in a pretty spot!

I got very excited when we approached Montezuma Pass and I could see all the mountains I found. So excited that we stopped at the visitor center and the shuttle driver gave us free tissues. He was very kind and the scarves are really pretty. I took a photo in front of the visitor center. They had a Junior Ranger sign outside, so I took my photo with that so I would have proof I was there.

I filled my water in the water tank. Even though I already refilled my water at the visitor center, I drank more and more so I could stay hydrated throughout the day. It was about 6 miles. to the first source of water, which was a bathtub, and it was the best water of the day. It was nice and cold, and it was pretty clear that it was flowing, which I didn’t expect it to be flowing. I thought it was a stagnant bathtub pond, but it was really nice and cold. In fact, I cooled myself down by eating my lunch and drinking water while sitting there.

My goal was to go between 6 and 8 miles. to the next water source, which the next day I discovered was dry. I got about six more miles before I ran into the lone hiker who was cowboy camping, and I thought maybe I could join them and cowboy camp with her, I asked her and she said okay. We chat. I soaked my dinner cold and made my bed for the night. We had dinner and went to bed. My dinner was pretty unpleasant, but I ate most of it, which I’m glad I did considering I usually find it difficult to eat when I’m on the road. In fact, I ate all my snacks the first day I expected to eat or wanted to eat, I should say. My goal for the day was to get through the climb on step one, which was the hardest part, and it was up to the task. It was quite difficult being the first day. No trails and a lot of water with 5 days of food, but it was really nice. It wasn’t very hot, which was nice. We actually started the morning and it was pretty windy and cold, so overall a good first day.

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