2019

Continental Divide Trail

In April 2019, I set off on an adventure to hike northbound along the Continental Divide Trail starting from the Crazy Cook National Monument located 80 miles south of Lordsburg, NM at the US-Mexico border. This was my first big backpacking trip and also my first major solo expedition. Over the course of the next few months, I made my way north one step at a time. 2019 was a record-high snow year and winter lasted well into June in some parts. This was my experience.

Click here to visit my YouTube channel where I have 46 videos documenting my journey!

Part 1: Crazy Cook to Lordsburg

Part 2: Lordsburg to Silver City

part 3: Silver city to Doc campbell’s post

part 4: Doc Campbell’s post to Pie town

part 5: pie town

part 6: Pie Town to Grants

part 7: Grants to Cuba

part 8: Side trip to Albuquerque

part 9: Cuba to Ghost Ranch

part 10: Ghost Ranch to Durango

part 11: Side Trip to Grand Junction

part 12: telluride, CO

Part 1: Crazy Cook National Monument to Lordsburg, NM

Part 2: Lordsburg, NM to Silver City, nm

part 3: Silver city to Doc campbell’s post

Leaving Silver City

Day 12. Left Silver City and back on the trail towards Doc Campbell's. Took it slow because it was the most scenic day on the trail so far and just did 16 miles to Bear Creek. Also, took the controversial Gila Alternate Trail. Everyone's been afraid of the gauge levels and concerned about it being to swift and deep to cross (more on that later). Geology: made it into basaltic, andesitic, dacitic, rhyoltic territory AND a couple spots of the glorious Mancos Shale. Got my first rain of the trail. LUCKILY, it was just a sprinkle. Total of 16 miles.

Struggle

The day started out great and I was optimistic! After a while of hiking at a really slow pace due to foot pains, I came across the infamous Regis-tree and got to meet Doug the Hermit. I spent a little long learning about his lifestyle and Catholic hermitage that by the time I left, I was really behind my hiking buddies and couldn't catch up. It's a good thing the next day was a new day. 10.7 miles total.

River Crossings and Wildfires

Day 14. Got caught up with Nightcrawler and Jandals and started the Gila River Crossings. Also walked through a wildfire and found bear prints! 15.8 mi total.

Arriving at Doc Campbell’s Post

Day 15: Made it to Doc Campbell's. Boots and socks were frozen in the mornin. Celebrated making it with a feast of frozen burrito, hummus, candy, chips, and ginger ale! [6 miles]

zero day at Doc Campbell’s Post

Day 16: Impromptu zero day at Doc Campbell's! Spent the day hanging around goats and eating homemade ice cream and lounging around away from the wind storm. o miles.

 Part 4: Doc Campbell’s Post to Pie Town

Gila Cliff Dwellings & Taking the High Route

Day 17. Me and the "tramily" (trail family) went to the Gila Cliff Dwellings before I split and took the Gila High Route to avoid the river.

Unexpected Snow Storm in the Southwest

Unexpected snow storm along the Gila High Route and with little to no food. [26 miles]



Bloody Hands

Managed to stay alive through the night. I was awake the whole night doing situps and pushups to stay warm. Once the sun shining and the temperature reached a toasty 22 degree, I was able to crawl out of the tent and walk 24 miles down the straightest road I've ever seen. I'd walk for hours and turn around and still see where I camped almost. [24 miles]

Happiest Day of My Life

Still on my way to Pie Town. Food supply starting to diminish but it turned into the happiest day of my life. 28 mile day.

Starvation & Exhaustion

Day 21: Starvation and Exhaustion. After a brutal day of running on fumes and barely putting one foot in front of the other and asking for help in the middle of a junkyard (because I thought I was in a parking lot), a man found me collapsed on the side of the road and took me in. This is me after a shower and a hot meal (+2 beers). [14 miles]