16th May
17.7 miles (28.5km)
Escarpment camp (502.1) to Cuba (519.8)
It was a town day. A short 17.7 miles away. Crunchmaster was desperate for town food so he was hiking before me today. I was on trail by 6.30am.
The mornings hike was more of the same. Stunning escarpments and mesas. Then came the usual roadwalking.
We checked into the Del Prada hotel, the cheapest in town. The Korean owner took good care of us. Town chores were taken care of early. Eating was the only thing left to do.
We also received the sad news that a CDT hiker was found dead just a little way north of us. He was hiking the trail southbound last year and has been missing for many months. I never knew the guy but many of my hiking buddies on the trail did. He was an experienced hiker. RIP Otter.
Read the article from Outside about the incident.
Next – Day 30 Resting in Cuba
Everything you need to know about hiking the CDT:
Complete Guide to Hiking the Continental Divide Trail
CDT Resupply Guide
CDT Gear List
In California we heard about the found deceased hiker and wondered if you heard this …was sad to hear!….I am section hiking pct and today hiker with GPS equipment was rescued within 30 min in Kern county….that is a better story …praying for you….
Yes I heard the news, very sad. But good news for the other hiker.
I saw they found that hiker too. I thought of you all on the trail. Stay safe. And that spider, yikes.
Sad news. I love spiders, not quite as much as snakes