Last Night Arrival - 7/22/14

Arrived in Denver around 7:30 pm last night.  The travel wasn't hard but after being up since 4 am and adding 2 hours to the clock for me, I was tired.

Rented a car and headed for Dana's house.  She is a lovely lady I had the pleasure of meeting a couple years back when I came to Colorado for the 2012 Trail Dames Summit.  She was kind enough to let me crash at her house back then and extended the offer to this trip as well.  She is even dropping me off at the trail head tomorrow morning on her way to work.

Arrived at Dana's slightly later then I had planned.  I did not recharge my phone at the second airport lay over.  I was able to escape the airport just fine, and was making good time when my phone died.  Using the GPS drains it faster then normal.  All the info I had for Dana, phone number, address, etc was stored in my phone.  Luckily I spied a Walmart and exited the highway.  It just did not occur to me that I needed to pack a car charger.  I already have a quarter pound of wires in the pack.  Phone plugged in and back to the highway.

It was great to see Dana.  We chatted for a bit, she had work and I was just beat so we said our good nights.  I think I was asleep before my head hit the pillow.

Acclimation time and errands - 7/23/14

I awoke to a beautiful dog in my face at 7:02 am.  I felt rested and ready...  Only I am not hiking today.  I originally planned on the rental car and a zero day so I could meet up with a long lost relative.  Unfortunately some medical issues came up and it wasn't possible.  So, I spent the day doing last minute errands and just putzing around.

Went to the REI.  I hemmed and hawed on what cooking system I wanted to use.  The Pocket Rocket w/canister or my standby alcohol stove w/HEET.  Since at home I never could locate my Pocket Rocket the alcohol stove won out.  On the plan I continued to run it through my head and decided I really wanted to go with the canister stove, that meant a trip to REI.  (Besides who doesn't want to get to see every REI out there!)

At REI, I purchased yet another Pocket Rocket, a canister, a small towel and a container of Nuu Energy tabs for my water.  Also, a little something I saw for my hubby.

In the REI parking lot I took my pack out of the duffel bag it had traveled in.  Omitted a couple more small items from the pack that I really can live without. All of those items, the alcohol stove, the "something" for my husband were placed into the duffle bag.  The bag was then compressed and zipped up to make a small square package.

On my way to REI I saw a street sign that pointed to Waterton Canyon.  That is the trailhead I will leave out of tomorrow.  Curiosity got the better of me and I had to go check it out.  Just love when the first sign I see, says "Mountain Lions are very active in this area, be alert!"  Next sign has instructions on what to do when you come upon Longhorn Sheep.  In reality, I will be lucky if I get a sighting of either.

I called the Durango Hostel, only to find it was closed, out of business.  I checked out a number of the local motels but could not pick one to send a package to.  Next I called the Durango Post Office and asked if they would hold a box for 6 weeks.  The gentleman said that the rule is 30 days, but that I was only stretching it a little.  (2 weeks seems a lot to me.)  He told me to mark that I was a CT HIKER and the ETA (estimated date of arrival). He said there should be no problems with them holding it.  I found a Flat Rate box at the PO that that the duffle just fit into.  It is now on it's way to Durango, just like me.

Stopped for lunch at a Pei Wei for some Asian food.  Doubt I am going to find much sushi along that trail.  None that I would be willing to eat anyway.

I have to say whoever invented the GPS is a fantastic person.  I maneuvered around the out-skirts of Denver like a pro.

Currently waiting for Dana to come home from work.  We will then return my car, possibly get dinner and be ready to head out in the morning. Which means that my next journal entry will actually be a TRAIL JOURNAL!

Till then, be happy, be healthy.

Sue/Hammock Hanger

July 13, 2014

I have one week and a day before departure time.  I don’t know why but I just feel so unorganized for this ttrip.  It is not really any different then trips in the past. In fact it is easier, as there are no permits or international travel to deal with.  So why am I feeling so flustered?

I have received all of my maps and guidebooks.  Contacted a number of establishments about lodging in the various towns I believe I will be visiting.  Some that require two nights stay have waived that requirement due to my hiking status and not needing multiple nights.  Some have kindly offered to accept my mail-drops, so I do not have to deal with postal hours or the trek to and from there.

I have lots of dehydrated proteins and fruit.  Most of the meat is beef related, as for me it dehydrates the best.  There is a bit of chicken and ground turkey. Some is already in something like chili or spaghetti.  There are also packets of dried beef with spinach, peppers, onions, garlic, seasonings etc. These will be added to a Liptons or something else.  I have lots of beef jerky to gnaw on.  The fruit leathers are basically a mash of various fruits, banana, strawberries, blackberies, blueberries, kiwi, pineapple, grapes and applesauce. To that I have added protein powder, yogurt, flax & chia seeds, coconut or chopped nuts.  This will suffice as a good snack without having to carry heavy candy bars, that I usually have to gag down.  I still need to get this with my other food supplies organized and put into boxes, labeled for the various post office or lodging locations.  Looks like Monday will be a busy day getting that completed.

The backpack has be filled, as each of my normal items was located and checked off the packing list.  Sleeping bag, check.  Thermarest, check. Clothing items, check and so it goes down the list.  I wanted to bring both my alcohol stove and the pocket rocket to see what would be best but since I can not locate my pocket rocket it looks like the alcohol stove wins out.

I spent an entire day seam sealing my Solo Lightheart tent.  Had this not been a gift, but a purchase, I would have gladly paid the money to have them seal it.  However, it is done and I am happy with it.  Now we wait and see what comments I have after a long night of rain.  I am keeping my fingers crossed.  I really regret not having the comfort of my hammock on this trip. I was told by my friend Judy that I really could hammock. That coming from a tent maker makes me believe it may be so.  That said, I would have to give up sleeping up high, which I love and would naturally curtail my camping spots.  So, I am taking the tent for flexibility.  I do like the Solo Lightheart tent as far as tents go.

I have updated my iPod with lots of books for my nighttime enjoyment.  I do not like to listen to the iPod during the day, as I want to enjoy the trail and all it has to offer.  For me the buzzing of music or a book takes away from that. I have been know to listen to it while walking if there is a long road walk to endure.

I have typed up a lengthy daily itinerary for my husband.  Which of course makes me laugh, because we all know that the itinerary usually bites the dust within the first few days.  However, it gives him a general idea of where I am headed and expecting mail-drops. He will keep track of me through my SPOT Messenger downloads each night.  

In reality it sounds as if I am pretty ready to go, except for the food distribution. So, why, do I feel so unorganized?  Deep breath!

I am excited and so ready to go, in my head. Hell, I was ready to go a month ago.  Snow in the Colorado mountains can be intense and not something I choose to deal with. The last report I got was that the trail was passable in all sections, including the West Collegiate West route.  I am looking forward to the diversion off of the traditional trail and taking the newly blazed higher route.

Not to blow my own horn or pat myself on the back, because that really is not my style, but did want to share some good news.  I was at the Trail Dames Summit last month as a clinician for one of the various workshops offered.  That Saturday night I was award, The Adventurer of the Year Award.  I was truly surprised and very honored.  The Summit is a great place to share and learn. All my women hiking friends should check it out, Anna “Mudbutt” Huthmaker and her staff put on a excellent event.  (The wine parties on Friday nights are lots of fun, but don’t tell anyone!)