A 45 mile day in the Mining Country of Colorado

This morning I woke up early, warm and perfectly happy in the well bath. And without regrets! How could I regret such a decision? For the first time since I have reason, I could get up early without that destroying me emotionally. Even in the bathroom it was a bit cold, so I could only imagine how it would be outside.

I made my moca inside the bathroom and slowly packed. Then I got up and walked with the head lamp on. The air was fresh and had frost covering all the nearby grass. Which made my decision even more solid. The day was going to start with a climb, so I didn’t open too much. It is assumed that today it will not rain, so I only put my layers alpha and wind. Then you could take off layers progressively as necessary.

During the first two hours of the day I gradually went up. In fact, the CDT left the road almost immediately after passing through the area of ​​the start of the path. He felt good to be on a real road. You never know what you will get here in the CDT. This climb reminded me some of the steps of the mountains. I slowly went up and returned to the scene I was seeing. You will see this great mountain or training in the distance. Then he walks slowly towards him as if you were advancing through an image. Straight to the bottom.

A large pile of bones along the way.

The dawn shone at the top of the great peak in front of me. And while I climbed, I walked between bright yellow blades, gently trembling with the morning breeze. It was a wonderful beginning of the day. And as I approached the top of the step, I even saw an alce! Right next to the path. It was a small one. Like the elice version of a one -year -old bear puppy. I stopped to see if Mom was close. But we were safe.

Autumn foliage was absolutely beautiful this morning.

Once I reached the top of that climb approximately 9 miles during the day, the next 3 or 4 miles were quite easy. I walked through some exposed sections of the path and sailed between the mud. Finally I crossed with a couple of hikers of a day that asked me if I had a vehicle at the beginning of the path. I said that I had come here on foot, but I was wondering if Sprinter would be waiting for me.

I crossed the CDT binding point and created alternately at 12 miles of the day. Then he continued on a pleasant path and well cared for until finally reached a dirt road. There was a van in the distance and I would have sworn that it was Sprinter. I was very excited about some calories to start the day! But as I approached, I realized that it was just a truck that looked like his. Which was actually a fairly fun development.

I am very happy to have been able to experience Colorado at this perfect time of the year.

Due to my “shorter” days yesterday and the day before yesterday, today it was outlined as a day of 45 miles if I wanted to spend the night in South Fork. Which I really did. However, I felt very tired as I advanced on dirt roads, usually in the direction of Creye. The city of Creede would be 20 miles from my day. Which simply did not fit well enough to stay.

Reach the top of my first and only great climb of the day.

At this time I began to get a lot for some reason. And, suddenly, the feeling of exhaustion hit me like a wall. I arrived at a cross of stream and I had to stop to take water.

Clean open views as far as it is.

I sat on my backpack and began to filter some water. Then I remember having felt how this overwhelming tiredness seized me. Just a few days ago I made a short day. How could I be tired already? There, alone, sitting next to a dirt road, I shouted: «It’s not fair!» I said it again and again. As if in some way the mention of injustice caused a change in the world around me. And without any good reason I began to cry.

I think this point of the walk is, by far, the most difficult. Even giving me the luxury of enjoying what I would consider «a lot of rest,» is simply not enough. One or two days of sleep will not change the load I have put on. I knew that my short day of the other day was not going to cure me. But I expected it to be. I suppose that while I was sitting next to the stream I realized fully that fact, and it hurt a little digest. It is difficult to explain the overwhelming exhaustion and the intense feelings of emotion that this walk has caused in me. Some for better and others for worse.

I love the shadow of my outbreak in my head.

However, this is the trip to which we enroll. The few who are crazy enough to try a CyTC or something similar. And of the 12-13 people who in the new year went for a walk throughout the year, we only remain 5. The three we are trying to crown triples per year border calendar, a man who is trying the CyTC on his own and a man who goes through the CyTC FKT. Everyone else returned to their homes a long time ago. And here I am, crying next to a dirt road, feeling the intense and overwhelming weight of having walked almost 7,300 miles this year. And still nothing would change. And I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

As I approached Creye, the road crossed this incredible canyon. Those views were some of my favorites all day.

I finally got up from the ground and continued. He had a great day ahead and those kilometers would not travel alone. I just walked one or two more hours before leaving a more beautiful land. And I had only been in that for a minute when Sprinter passed, just when I was filming. The moment was incredible. He offered me coffee and ice cream and felt much better.

Then I continued on the dirt roads in the direction of Creye. This route took me through an old mining community of Colorado, which was really great. There were tons of the old structures. They literally walked on this historic route to drive and it was great. That entertained me for a while. Then, around 3 in the afternoon, I went through Creae. My route to South Fork would make me divert in another direction. But first I stopped in a bakery to have coffee and couple cakes.

Crossing the cannon, in the direction of Creede.

Then I talked to my dad on the phone as I walked around the city and returned to the busiest road that came out of the city. I ate a big and delicious cookie and then a panechin. Unfortunately, coffee was expensive and terrible. I love the cute chai, but I don’t like it when it is very spicy. A little spicy is fine. But many things are simply not what I am looking for.

I really enjoyed being able to go through the historic mining area that was along the road.

My dad and I talked for a while, which was great. The road had a wide and was quite quiet. I crossed the Río Grande several times throughout the day. Years ago, in the Big Bend National Park, I swam in the Rio Grande and immersed myself in the hot springs that ran along it. I always think about that when I listen to the name.

This structure was absolutely huge and somehow was still standing.

Around 6:30 pm I went through a camping area with a restaurant and small store. The sign illuminated indicating food and other delights inside. You know that I should have had little time if I didn’t enter there! I love a boxing stop. But I knew that even if I hastened, I would get to South Fork around 9-9: 30 pm so I kept walking. I listened to music and worked a little. Then he warmed just before the sun was put on.

A shed covered with ice skates. I thought this looked really great.

Just before it darkened, many cars began to stop for me. People were simply checking that it was fine. But after a while he began to become a distraction. I appreciate the kindness! But having to talk to 5 or 6 cars of people per hour was too much. Once I put on the layers, it was not a big problem. I am much more ambiguous in the dark with my layers. During the day it is easier to feel sympathy for the «girl» who walks alone along the way.

Crossing the Rio Grande.

The afternoon was cold and I still had a long way to go. But I tried to occupy my mind as best I could. Sprinter planned to park somewhere to spend the night in South Fork, so I was just waiting for me to arrive. Unfortunately, everything in the city would be closed when I arrived. But Sprinter had some food and sweets and said he could prepare a dish when he arrived in the city. I was excited about that!

Walking along the way just before dusk.

When I was 5 or 6 miles from the city, I decided to call Sparkle. I needed distraction, bad! She replied which was a great relief. Then we talked for more than an hour. I like to call this «accompany the city.» Fresh Ground did this a lot for Punisher and me at the beginning of the year. We talked to him towards the end of a long day of walking and he «accompanied us to the city.» There is nothing better than that. Those last hours of the day are usually the most difficult.

Sparkle and I share stories and laugh. He lost something at work and tried to find him while we talked. And finally he did! It is very nice to have someone on my side that really understands it. Everyone can imagine the struggle and difficulty associated with a walk like this. But only someone who has walked more than 5,000 miles in a year could appreciate what that means. Sparkle has also announced its plans to increase the triple crown of the border calendar year next year. I am excited to support her and be a rock for her, as it has been for me throughout the year. If you want to follow your trip, you can find it online @sparklesummits.

The road to the city happened quickly while talking to my friend. Before I realized, I was reaching the edge of South Fork and could see the street lights. Everything was closed and there was not even a gas station near. I went to one of the only motels in the city and recorded me in a room to spend the night.

A charcator table for hikers after a long day of 45 miles.

Sprinter sent me a text message to inform me that I had food and refueling for me when I entered. So once I was located, he came and left me a dish. It was like a chartería table for hikers! There were cheese, salty cookies, fried chicken, macaroni with cheese and all kinds of delicacies. After a long day of 45 miles, all I wanted to do was sleep. But my brain had other plans. I sat there in a dissociated state and loaded with food. Then he organized things and charged. Then he shower. Then he ate more. And finally I used to finally try to sleep. It was tremendously late! And tomorrow I plan another full day of walking.

If you enjoyed this blog and would like to support my walk by buying a soda or a snack on the way, there is a button «Provide the author» below! It is linked directly to my venmo. All support is incredibly appreciated!