Traveling to El Gila – The Trek

2:15 am Wake up

I remember when I thought traveling by plane was fun. Despite all the drawbacks, lower service, and higher cost, I’m still amazed that you can fly across the country for a few hundred dollars. Whenever I get frustrated with air travel, I think of our ancestors traversing the West in covered wagons braving weather, disease, physical attacks, drought, dangerous water crossings, and covering less than 20 miles a day. Perhaps this contrast is one of the reasons why backpacking appeals to me. The slow pace and primal survival in nature grounds me and refreshes my perspective on life.

I’ve hiked my fair share of miles alone, but I love sharing the trail experience with other hikers. I find my experience is richer when I interact with new or old friends along the way.

I met SloBro in 2017 virtually before AZT. SloBro walked ahead of me and always left detailed water flow rates in the trail logs. A career engineer turned doctor, I knew I had to meet this hiker. In 2019, we met at the CDT in Lima, MT for a few hours before he returned home for medical issues. Within weeks, SlowBro was back on the trail and we hiked together to Glacier Park.

SlowBro and I stayed connected virtually in the years that followed and met up on a few occasions. SlowBro inspired me to sew my own gear and encouraged me when needed. SlowBro picked me up on the PCT and put me up at his house. Our friendship grew beyond trail friends.

I was excited when SlowBro invited me on his favorite loop hike in the Gila Wilderness. As a bonus, I get to meet and walk with Cappuccino, Slobro’s sister-in-law. Cappuccino has joined SlowBro on several backpacking adventures and lives in Albuquerque.

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