17th May
0 miles
Cuba (519.8)
We had all the best intentions of hiking out of town after lunch. We started packing. I mentioned that I was still quite tired. Next thing you know we decided to stay another day and rest our aching bodies. Oh, and maybe the crappy weather helped the decision.
The town of Cuba, New Mexico is a rather uninteresting town. Talking about uninteresting, that’s how I would describe my day. Well, there were a couple of nice meals but that was it.
While my day was uninteresting my thoughts and conversations with other hikers were not. In the coming weeks the trail will start to become rather serious. Lots of snow, unstable weather and a serious challenge.
Some hikers bravely state they are hiking through the snow and weather. Others talk of easy options like resting for a couple of weeks, taking easier roadwalking options or skipping ahead to the end of the trail in Canada and walking south.
So what are my thoughts. Well, I feel a little bit like Luke Skywalker. I’ve already completed the PCT, which is like the movie Star Wars. I learned my Jedi hiking skills and did battle with the trail. I went from a normal person to somebody who learned the skill of they hiking.
But hiking the CDT is like The Empire Strikes Back. I know I must face Darth Vadder. For me, Darth Vadder is the snow covered, difficult mountains of southern Colorado, the San Juan Mountains. It will be difficult but I trust that the skills that I have faithfully learned will see me triumph.
So there you have it. The sequel is rarely as good as the original, as many people say. Tomorrow I begin a journey of only about 150 miles that will see me enter Colorado. My Darth Vadder.
Next – Day 31 Into the Cold Mountains
Everything you need to know about hiking the CDT:
Complete Guide to Hiking the Continental Divide Trail
CDT Resupply Guide
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