HIKE DIARY
Backpacking & thru-hiking
is not always blissful
Embrace the Suck
The trail—like life—may not always be what we want it to be, but it offers us the opportunity to choose how we respond to whatever it doles out.
Open to Awe
Hoping for the best, prepared for the worst, and unsurprised by anything in between is a great mindset when planning a major thru-hike – or any major life endeavor.
Freak Show
I didn’t expect much when someone asked to closely examine my deformed hands—but the moment ended up teaching me about what truly matters – and what doesn’t.
NM: Narrows Trail to Grants, 8 miles (with hitch)
The final day of my hike is past a glorious arch then across amazing and ancient lava fields before heading to Grants and home.
NM: Pie Town to Narrows Trail, 16 miles (with hitch)
I hitch most of the long, dusty road, but my walk continues on long dusty road ending in a miraculous campsite with a watering hole.
Second Spring
Spring reminds us that change is inevitable, and no matter how uncomfortable that might feel, change is also full of promise.
NM: Big Pond to Pie Town, 12 miles (with hitch)
It’s a short day since I hitch a ride for the last several miles of road, but ends with incredible generosity.
NM: Aragon Well to Martin Canyon, 24 miles
Three beautiful tanks offer water today as I climb up and over 9,000+ foot Mangas Mountain.
Let the Day Unfold
The lowly New Zealand sandfly teaches us about impermanence, to keep moving forward and to stay open to possibility.
NM: Cox Trailhead to near Aragon Well, 18 miles
It’s a glorious day of sunshine and beautiful views, plus good water sources. I climb up and out of the Gila and back to grassland where I camp all alone.
NM: Gila Tank to Cox Canyon Trailhead, 18 miles
The landscape looks like prairie and I’m concerned about a snowstorm in this exposed landscape, but luck out with only a few squalls.
Life is Wide
“Life may be short, but it’s also wide” suggests we accept life’s limits while also being astonished by its abundance.
