by Melanie McManus | Sep 28, 2023 | Continental Divide 2022, Trail Journals
The last few days were so taxing on this Gila River Alternate that I was having doubts about my hike. Should I hike on? Maybe I should bail and go home with Ed. Maybe I’m too old to be doing this stuff alone. It’s OK to change a goal you’ve set for yourself. Ed...
by Melanie McManus | Sep 29, 2023 | Continental Divide 2022, Trail Journals
I hoped for better trail today, so that I could stay on the Gila Middle Fork and not have to take the Gila High Route. Alas, it was not to be. First, on an early-morning water crossing I inadvertently chose a route that took me through water up to my crotch. Not good....
by Melanie McManus | Sep 30, 2023 | Continental Divide 2022, Trail Journals
Oh my goodness, this trail is going to kill me! I had a decent night’s sleep, anticipating a relatively easy hike to Bursum Road. An hour or so after dark, while I was drowsing off, I saw an orange light on one side of my tent. I figured it was an orangey full moon or...
by Melanie McManus | Oct 2, 2023 | Continental Divide 2022, Trail Journals
Oh my goodness! After my late-day struggles yesterday, I set up camp in what I thought was a peaceful spot. Little wind, flat, great camping. NOT! Shortly after I settled into my tent for the night, the wind – which had been blowing strongly all day, but not at night...
by Melanie McManus | Oct 3, 2023 | Continental Divide 2022, Trail Journals
This was my first true zero day, and boy did I enjoy it! I spent most of the day catching up on emails and posting trail journals. Went back to the grocery store to get fruit, salads, a microwaveable burrito and some ice cream, among other yummy things. FYI: The wine...
