21st April
22.8 miles (36.7km)
Bushcamp (54.3) to Bushcamp (77.1)
It was just after 7am when we faced the heat of the morning. I was kept company in the morning by many rabbits. All still hungry and not ready for bed yet I can assume. We also had plenty of practice climbing barbed wire fences today. I lost count of both rabbits and fences today.
The was a whole lot of nothing but heat today. It melted many a hiker today. I’m the only one who didn’t suffer. Not only did I not suffer, I enjoyed the nothingness today.
Most hikers have only recently arrived in New Mexico, mostly from colder climates. So the 30 degrees Celcius today was hot. And there was not really any shade. A few scant shrubs at best.
By 5pm we had suffered about 19 miles. Everyone was baked and roasted for the day. I wanted to keep going. I felt fine. So I walked alone into the evening till the sun had set. I slept alone with only the coyotes for company. Tomorrow is only a short hike to the town of Lordsburg. Our first resupply town. We have all organised to meet up in town for breakfast.
Next -> Day 5 I survived an 80MPH Sandstorm
Everything you need to know about hiking the CDT:
Complete Guide to Hiking the Continental Divide Trail
CDT Resupply Guide
CDT Gear List
Us Aussies love a good hot day! Enjoying your first few days read immensely! Cheers as always
Thanks Anna
Those desert pictures look like something out of an old Clint Eastwood movie. Does the water taste as bad as it looks even though you filter it? Again thanks for the many posts.
Dramatic scenery. The water tastes great, just a small hint of bore water minerals.
I probably would have missed Horny Toad. Very well disguised.
Everybody else did, I just caught some movement from the corner of my eyes
Love the jack rabbit photos!!
Cheers Hummingbird, there are heaps of them round here.
That water tank looks just like ours on the ranch for our cattle. Yuck! I’ve been through the desert in New Mexico several times in a car but never on foot. I’m really enjoying your perspective and love seeing your pictures of the trail and this amazing experience. Thanks for taking the time to update such a wonderful blog for your readers.
You’re welcome Heather. New Mexico is a harsh place, they must be tough people round here.
Living in the Northern Territory was good conditioning for the heat. Glad you’re going well. Love the pics.
Yes. I’m doing fine, the others from colder climes are struggling a little.
That “graded road” looks like a veritable highway compared to some of the roads in Wyoming :-D
True. It only lasted about 2 miles. There will be more.