I’m going to hike the Colorado Trail this summer. I’m a little anxious, excited, fearful, doubtful, all the feelings when you’re taking on a new challenge. It will be my longest and most difficult hike by far, with many big days and big drops, high altitude, fairly long stretches above treeline, chance of rain and thunderstorms, and youyes, the possibility of pumas. Yes. It will surely take me out of my comfort zone.
In preparation I read Pacific Crest Tests by Zach Davis and Carly Moree. Although I’m not doing the PCT, I heard this is a great book for mental preparation. And it is. As Zach instructed me in the book, I diligently made lists of why I am doing the CT, what I will gain, and what the personal consequences will be if I give up.
Here is a partial list of my reasons WHY.
I am hiking the Colorado Trail because:
- I can when others can’t. I am physically capable, I have the means and the time. If not now, when?
- We all face varying degrees of physical or mental restrictions as we age. I want to seize the moment and enjoy life while I can!
- I want to experience beauty and majesty.
- I want to spend more time outdoors in nature than inside the city.
- I want to challenge myself mentally and physically. I feel good when I achieve difficult things.
- That’s why I’m retired. This is what I worked for. This is my way of showing gratitude to my mind and body.
- I have a husband who loves me, supports my walk and believes I can achieve it.
Why Colorado?
Well, it sounded great. I was planning a reunion with some high school friends in Denver and started looking into the possibility of a hike in the area. I first thought about walking the first 100 miles from Denver to Breckenridge. After watching some YouTube videos and reading some blogs, I thought, well, it might be fun to go beyond Leadville and get to Collegiate Peaks. Then I kept hearing about the incredible San Juan Mountains. So here I am. I’m trying to walk from Denver to Durango in one big hike.
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