Combat exhaustion and a rainy day at 12,000 feet

Last night, for the first time in probably a month and a half, I slept more than eight hours! I think that in the last more than 40 days I have probably arrived somewhere between 4 and 6 hours per night. And there have certainly been nights in which I don’t even have so much. I definitely felt significantly better this morning. Although only in my wildest dreams I could expect that a good night of sleep can reverse 271 days of exhaustion.

A perfect example of how tired I was last night is how much I confused my thoughts about Monarch Pass and exit. Last night I went to bed, convinced that I couldn’t get to the city tonight. Although I knew I had 34 miles to go to the road. Then, to walk 10 additional miles to continue to Monarch Pass. Which meant that the option was definitely on the table to make 34 miles for the day and still go out of the road. For some reason, I was so upset that I kept thinking that I had to do the 45 miles for Monarch Pass no matter what.

It was a relief to realize that this morning and not having to start walking around 4 am I slept until after 6 in the morning and then slowly began to pack. Last night, an elice or alces when things like that happen, I am always glad to have launched my store significantly far from the path. Not to trample.

I really were glad to have waited and camped last night. At least this morning I could really see some views.

I was walking before 7:30 am my day began with approximately 2 miles of climbing to get to Cottonwood Pass. While I was going there, I definitely remembered the last elevation gain before the road. Some of the climbs I have been doing have been super memorable. Probably because for the first time in a time along the way, the climbs are quite steep in reality. The combination of the steep degree and the elevation itself can be exhausting. Those are really the only circumstances in which I am having to stop and take a break while I go up. The altitude certainly adds a component. It is easy to forget the fact that I am riding or more than 12,000 feet most of the time here if I am on a crest.

Cottonwood Pass.

There is really nothing in Cottonwood Pass, so I continued on the path. Then I had to climb a little more when I went there. Suddenly, I could see a person ahead with a package. I was very excited, waiting for them to be a southern hiker. As I approached me, they ended up stopping to let me pass. But they stopped so far before they arrived. I always prefer if someone continues to walk until you approach a little. Instead of standing there and seeing you go so long distance to them. I was doing the Colorado path, which is really great. But I did not satisfy my impulse to find other CDT hikers in the southern direction. We had a brief exchange, and then continued along the climb.

Going up from Cottonwood Pass and looking at the views below.

For a while after that I could see him behind me in the distance. Honestly, not far away. But the path was leveled after that, and I didn’t have too many prolonged climbs during the next handful of miles. I began to remember this section and realized that I would have some shorter climbs to do. But they were going to be quite steep. A couple of them advanced in my mind before getting there. Today it will certainly not be the easiest day of all.

The clouds were sinister all day, but the views were beautiful.

Mentally, I felt quite well this morning. The dream rejuvenated me to some extent. Although at the same time I still felt quite exhausted. I think it was also difficult to know that I had about 34 miles difficult to go to the road. It wasn’t going to be a fast and easy day. But it was one of those days when I did my best to keep my head down and move as quickly as I could. And I really tried to maintain a good attitude and put a smile My face while climbing these climbs.

Walking on a narrow crest.

In addition to all this, I was also raining. I woke up this morning and kept my rain team. And I was glad to have done it. At first, it was only for the cold. Then it would become slightly rainy and sometimes. Almost every time I thought about taking off the rain team, almost immediately I would change my mind. When the sun rises, it’s very hot here! But when the clouds rode and the wind gets up, it is very cold. I was surprised by the amount of climbing I did with the rain team. That really shows how temperatures were. I can’t do that in general.

Some sections of the path were very rocky and certainly slowed down.

The views were really beautiful all day. This is one of my favorite sections of the path in addition to San Juan. During the next two hours, I went up to only 13,000 feet several times. I felt very lucky that the weather was not so bad. I was raining from time to time throughout the day. And when I was in a couple of high points, it really snowed me lately! But it is quite pleasant to enter a light snow. It is definitely a little better than rain. I was also lucky a couple of times when the heaviest rain came when it was in a lower elevation. I appreciated those moments. There was a lower route that could have taken if the weather would have been really bad. But it seemed that he would be adding mileage and simply did not seem necessary.

I always enjoy being able to look at the way in front of me and see exactly where I am going.

First thing in the afternoon, I arrived at the top of one of my last climbs. Then he fell and I could really walk on a dirt road for a while. What was felt as a great change of rhythm and was much faster than the rock path in which I have been. I walked along the dirt road during a handful of miles as I approached an area with trails and parking. I had seen a couple of people on the path before, so I thought there should be some type of parking area nearby.

What an incredible day. Certainly. It was not the easiest, but the views were fantastic.

Finally, the dirt road returned my way and went to a pond. When I was here last time, I remember seeing some men fish there. I also remember sitting at the base of the next climb and wait to climb. At that time he felt such a hard escalation! But today it happened in the blink of an eye. After reaching the top, I would not have much of an elevation game to do for the rest of the day. I still have a small way to go, but that was a pleasant feeling.

I appreciated the sections of the path where things flattened.

I received the service above and updated Sprinter. Originally, I thought it would come at the beginning of the path around 7 pm. But today there were some sections of the path that took a little more time. Now I was thinking that I could be closer to 8 pm, just to be safe. It would reach the beginning of the Boss Lake path, which is about 10 miles north of Monarch Pass. It would have been a 45 mile day today to get to Monarch Pass. Fortunately, Sprinter is close to help me and you can pick me up on the other path tonight.

Part of today’s escalation was incredibly steep.

Once I overcome my last climb of the day, I was just sailing. For the most part, the land was quite pleasant and easy. But it began to rain slightly again and some dark clouds rolled. The weather began to see the worst thing I had all day. But honestly, it didn’t bother me at all. I knew that I could soon get to the city and be dry and comfortable no matter what. That is honestly the best feeling worldwide.

A beautiful rainbow!

By the time he went to the beginning of the path, he was just after dusk. And I arrived at the Boss Lake Trailhead parking area just to discover that it was a really resistant dirt road. Just looking at him quickly made me think that there was no way that Sprinter drove for this. He would not take an old car on this path. So I started walking along the way with the hope of meeting him on the road. There are only around a mile and a half.

When I arrived in the lake, I knew it would be my last climb of the day.

But I didn’t arrive long before seeing the headlights in the distance! And was Sprinter, parked by the beginning of the path. I thought the road should have been paved where I could see. But to my surprise, it was a really hard dirt road for a long time. I was surprise and asked Sprinter on the way. He said it was a fun proof and that he had driven worse. Then I got into the truck and we started the wild trip along the rocky and steeping road. There were deep dives in places and large rocks. I was surprised to see that the truck climbed and especially so easily. He made me nervous, but we managed to pass. And it seemed that Sprinter really had a great time.

Directing a final climb.

The road was just a mile and a half, but it seemed to continue forever. Then we finally go to a main road and continue at exit. Sprinter took me to the city center and I had to look around. I ate some food along the way, which was really pleasant. But I was super tired and ready to sleep. He had collected two hikers the day earlier and dropped them into a motel that apparently had two jacuzzis! So that’s where I did it. It was fine for everything too.

Lakes views below while progressing in the last pass.

I booked a room for a night, but I’m quite sure I’m going to renew it tomorrow. I am contemplating to return tomorrow and do the 10 miles between Boss Lake Trailhead, where they just pick up, and Monarch Pass. That would be a super short day, but it would probably do something good. I will probably come back in the morning and renew the room for another night. That way I can loosen and leave the majority of my things behind.

The sun began to wear and knew that it didn’t have much time.

I spent a little with Sprinter and finally called him one night. Once I got into my room, I asked for a pizza and gave myself a good shower. I organized everything, I loaded and relax. It was quite late, so I knew it wouldn’t be the first night. But at least tomorrow I only have to walk for a few hours!

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