Seanstaplin - Continental Divide Trail Journal - 2013

Post trip musings

Well it has been a few weeks since I finished the trail. I lost 16 lbs, which is a lot for me. I was thinner in Breckenridge so had lost more at that time. Only took me two weeks to gain back all but one pound. I am having almost nightly dreams about walking a three mile section of trail and never getting to the end. Just walking and walking in my dream. Weird. LOL. My feet have only now begun to shrink back a little, but some of my toes are still a bit numb. That started in the San Juans back in southern Colorado. I took 111 days to finish. 10 days off in New Mexico and my stop in Sante Fe, (to heal overuse issues), and two days off from Cumbres Pass to the end. I hiked with other people for 8 1/2 days, the rest by myself. I did not make any campfires as by that time I would just eat and go to sleep.

A few thoughts:

I never want to eat another granola bar again. I ate about 1200 of the things. The only bar I can still eat is Snickers.

No epiphanies.

The hike did not change my life. Many people seem to think it should have. I wanted to hike the trail. I hiked the trail. I am no longer hiking the trail. Simple enough to me.

3000 miles is a long way.

What looks big from afar is actually small once you get on it.

With the right combination of food, water, and sleep you never need a break.

There is not one highlight that stands out. Actually the lowlights stand out more as they were the toughest.

Discomforts are not uncomfortable any more.

Lastly; I now have a renewed respect for the automobile.

Thanks to everyone who gave me encouragement on my guestbook and also to those who didn't because I know you were there, just not posting. I know who you are. lol. Also thanks to all those who gave me hitches to town and helped me out while in town.

Cheers,

Sean

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