Reference 11 | Twin lakes to Silverthorne / Breckenridge
Day 44, 20 miles.
Today I had to make a decision. Should I continue with the sliding for the Silverthorne alternative that is up to the lowest height, 30 shorter miles and has 10,000 feet less climbing? Or do I keep the main CDT and try to navigate 80 miles of snowy desert probably on my own, including 14,000 feet in Grays Peak? A local friend told me that he had skied a nearby 14th last week and that he was at the top. In the end, sailing, sliding and sliding around the snow for several hours below 12,000 feet today, I decided that it would take the lowest alternative. Those who know me know that it is difficult for me, taking what seems to be the easiest option. Maybe I’m growing. I think it is a matter of security: I know that I cannot carry the weight of the food and the equipment that I would need for the slow pace for the one that I would probably have to settle if I am putting the track alone. The snow team and the additional layers I carry is probably approximately 7 pounds or 3.2 kilos, which almost doubles my base weight. And I would love to be part of this team on safer terrain, such as my crampons and my ice ax, so that I can move faster and then carry less food assuming it exceeds each section faster. In all slippers, sliding and falling into the snow this afternoon, I lost my soaking and spoon jug of my side pocket. I was snowing slightly today at the top with a drizzle while descending. So I chose the first place that seemed dry for the camp.
Day 45, 27.6 miles.
Today I ate so much food that I had to dig three catoles. And it was not because I would like to feed properly for the 3000 feet rise to Kokomo Pass today; It was because I wanted to make my package lighter for climbing. Even so, I felt that I was walking slowly to the pass. But that’s how you go up a mountain: step by step. Fortunately there was not too much snow along the way until the end. However, on the north side, I did not want to take the tour in the Nevado Valley, so I opted for the ridge line and stayed on the southern snow -free side. Slide had also taken the ridge line, but said he had to reduce early because a storm rolled and had to cover himself in a snowstorm, the same precipitation that was raining for me last night in a low elevation. So I established my own track on the Ridge line to reconnect with the path. I really enjoyed finding my own way today. The more time I spend alone in the mountains that navigate the snow, the safer I put myself in my own ability to handle the terrain. In the past, when I walked to the Sierra in a record year of snow, I walked with 7 men in total. So this year I made the San Juans with slides. So I think a small part of me was convinced that they were the reason I did. No doubt they were. But it seems that I can also handle well without them. A very solid day.
Day 46, 18.8 miles in Frisco, then Dillon, then Silverthorne, then a bus south to Brekenridge.
A walk is nothing but a constant adjustment of the plans. Yesterday I could not work with any of my cables. Sometimes they are felling, so I keep three. One failed in Monarch Pass. Then I lost two days ago that I had my watch loading adapter. And yesterday the last cable began to fail. I also lost my compass near Lake City and I haven’t replaced it yet. So I needed to get to the city quickly instead of playing on the road for 25 miles with two snowy passes. From Copper Mountain, Slide said he took a bicycle lane along the I-70 to Silverthorne. I followed Frisco to get a cable as soon as possible, then ate a talenti that will be my new cold soaking jar while walking towards the Rei in Dillon. In Rei I got new shoes, a compass, adhesive tape to fix my torn clothes, and I was surprised in the mirror. Then I obtained edible and my refueling. Have you ever smiled looking at a salad wall? I did it today. Anyway, it is an indirect way to maintain a continuous path to the north. I stay the night in an Airbnb in Brekenridge administered by my friends, Liz and Jon, whom I know when riding. I feel not qualified to be here. They run a small company that sells luxury bedding and home accents, so the whole place is dressed and I do not. Yesterday I slept with half an inch of foam and now I have five beds to choose from. However, it is very fun to see your work and I will have to return in the winter because it is ski / skiing. Finally I gave myself a shower and used some coffee and olive oil to make a DIY exfoliant that is incredible. I am super close to the main drag, but I honestly don’t feel like walking anywhere and I’m going to relax.
Day 47, 0 miles: My first zero!
Then, after all, walk on the road and take an alternative take, I am very advanced to the expected. What is good because I honestly believe that it is time for a zero and what better place to occupy it than here in Liz & Jon’s. My body is not screaming for a zero, but my brain is. My brain wants one day to go to bed on the floor and be on my phone and go through my email and clarify photos and catch up with my writings and wish friends happy birthdays and maybe go to Jacuzzi. My friends will laugh when they listen to this because they know that I am comically bad in taking zeros and I will probably try to do too many things. When I am on my way, I maintain a list of things to do when I have internet or once again, such as repairing this or cleaning that or the ideas I have for videos or reminders to send a text message to someone or buy such, so that is what I am doing. Liz asked me how I liked Breck and I was like ummm, I like your home! I managed to get out briefly to the post office to send my ice ax and crampons and To the library to have a computer where I could work on blogs. It is much easier for a desk. I talked to Slide, which is now a full day ahead to have an idea of the conditions of paths. He is inventing time, so he is cutting the valley directly to Winter Park, while planning to continue with the CDT, but take part in the Pfiffner to traverse in the Ridgeline to miss around the snowy traverses along the way. The poor slide was in a terrible climate today snowy and rained while I have been on the couch. But I’ll be cold and get wet very soon. Let’s see how it goes.
XX
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