What was your favorite section of the hike?The best section was through Colorado, from the Indian Peaks Wilderness to the South San Juan Wilderness, about 500 miles. No other state can boast as much consistently world-class trail and scenery as Colorado—in the San Juan’s there is so much alpine walking that I actually was looking forward to Replica Breitling Airwolf Mens Watch A7836323.BLU-SS getting back in the timber. Also, the elk were in the peak of their rutting season, the aspens were glowing gold, and the trails were essentially empty.Did you have any major setbacks along the way?In August, a few weeks after I had reached the halfway point, my grandmother passed away unexpectedly, and I lost five days to travel and to the wake and funeral.
I was on pace when it happened, and I was able to make up two of the lost days in Montana, so I managed okay. The bigger issue, though, was that I was emotionally numb for two weeks.Was being on the trail therapeutic during that grief? Or did it Replica Breitling Aerospace Advantage Mens Watch E7936210.C673 make it worse?The trail made it both easier and more difficult. After I was given the news, I had another 70 miles to hike until I could hitchhike to the airport. They were miserable miles. I really just wanted to be with my family, not hiking by myself. After I returned, the trail forced me to get my focus back earlier than I might have otherwise. The task at hand needed my attention.
What was the most valuable piece of gear you had with you?My pack usually weighed in at a mere 7.5 pounds (sans food, water, and fuel), and every piece of gear I carried was valuable to my survival, comfort, andor enjoyment. But there were definitely a few standout items. My GoLite Jam2 backpack went the entire distance and looks no worse Replica Breitling Aerospace Advantage Mens Watch E7936210.B781 for it now, except a permanent odor. Another GoLite product was the Wisp windshirt, which I used almost daily to protect myself from wind, drizzle, snow, and bugs. My .3-oz alcohol stove, which I made from a Fancy Feast cat-food can, never broke or clogged, and it served up seven months of steaming hot dinners. My Komperdell trekking poles offered traction on sketchy suces, provided stability on technical terrain, and diverted stress and impact away from my leg joints and muscles. And in Arizona, I once used them to fight off a gang of aggressive javelinas.
