20th April
21 miles (33.8km)
Bushcamp (33.3) to Bushcamp (54.3)
7am and we are on trail hiking. We were all a bit quicker with our camp duties in the morning. I like a hot cup of coffee and warm oats to start my hiking day. That’s rather rare for a thru hiker. Most eat a granola bar as they start hiking. The caffeine addicts usually add instant coffee and cold water to an old Gatorade bottle or similar. Each to their own.
It was an easy 5 miles or so to our first water source. An electric bore pump. I turned it on and waited. It took about 30 seconds for fresh clean water to start flowing. The reservoir created from the water pump was full of water. There were lots of brown lumpy evidence of cattle frequenting the area. And the odd bird.
Two of the Warrier hikers arrived as we were ready to leave so we stayed a whole to chat. Anvil and lucky. Anvil got his name from his heavy pack. Honestly, it was twice my weight. Lucky, well, he’s just lucky.
After several miles of featureless terrain I deeply regretted not making a small detour to the nearby ghost town of Old Hatchita. I like ghost towns. Instead I settled for a distant view from maybe a mile away of some old Adobe structures slowly giving way to nature.
It was just after midday. We had hiked maybe 12 miles. I stopped at the water cache as Radar was filling up the water bottles. Thanks Radar. I crossed the nearby highway. A car stopped. “Do you want some trail magic”.
Chuck was on a journey to this part of the world to see the CDT and hopefully some of the hikers. He graciously gave us some Dr Pepper (my favourite).
I walked the long distance of 25 meters across the road to the Warrier hikers support vehicle for some shade and yet another soft drink. I stayed several hours chatting and waiting out the heat of the day. Seems like ex-military and ex-Police have a lot in common. I got on well with them. For those who don’t know me, I’m an ex-Police officer.
Crunchmaster, Spontaneous and I discussed the afternoon. I was feeling fine and strong, unlike yesterday afternoon. But we were not all as comfortable with the heat as myself. We hoped to make it to a water tank in another 5 miles then camp several miles past it.
I received a brief cell phone signal while standing in one leg with a trekking pole in the air. Damn you AT&T. Just kidding, of course. I suspect I will not have a great signal while hiking on this trip, but I will try to keep the posts rolling along.
The last several miles of the day found us walking near old heavily eroded mesas. Ochre rocks amoung the course limestone.
The wind picked up just as the flat smooth ground disappeared. With only an hour of sunlight left we found some flat ground. The three of us demolished our dinner.
Despite being relatively easy terrain our bodies are slowly but surely adapting. No blisters yet, which is very unusual for me. I’m a bit scratched up and rather fatigued but so far holding up fine. My hiking buddies are not quite feeling the same.
Next – Day 4 I love the heat
Everything you need to know about hiking the CDT:
Complete Guide to Hiking the Continental Divide Trail
CDT Resupply Guide
CDT Gear List
Good plan to stay in proximity of the Warrior support crew.
Yes it was, but alas the support crew was only for the first 3 days.
What about Ur new shoes? Missing the old Merrell Moab Ventilator’s :-)
Day 5 with no blisters, so that’s a good thing. They are a very similar fit to the Merrells and I should get about 1000 miles. So far I am very happy.
How many more days until you get to a higher elevation where it is cooler?
Not too sure, I think we have another 3 weeks or so. Then it’s the high desert. I’m not looking forward to the cold. There is still snow about 300 miles north of me.
Great pics, man! It does look hot but beautiful. How are you like the Nemo Equipment? I am have been really interested in that brand
There tent is awesome, the lightest freestanding tent that I could find. The sleeping mat is super comfortable and the sleeping bag has lots of room in the legs as it is not a mummy bag. I’ve rarely had such comfortable nights sleep in the trail. Highly recommended.
When you say your hiking buddies aren’t quite feeling the same does that mean they feel worse or better? Is is strange not to have a trail but only distant markers to hike towards?
My hiking buddies are struggling. The heat is getting to them. I am fine, I love the heat. Hiking without a trail takes a little more concentration. We have all become a little geographically misplaced from time to time.