Jo - Colorado Trail Journal - 2013

Mr. C. has been in supplemental training for a couple of weeks, paw cream at night and carrying a pack (up to 4 lbs now) on our daily run. I worry that he is getting too old but our vet said he’s still going strong. I have an exit plan for him, just in case.

I’m sorry that Kerry and I will not be continuing our Continental Divide hike this year and I’m more than a little anxious about starting out on this long journey alone. I keep telling myself that I will be fine once I’m on the trail and I believe that I will be.

I have five food drops that I’m still assembling. I’ve decided to go without a stove, partly because of the fire danger but mostly because of the weight. Last time I hiked alone on the John Muir Trail in 2008, I lost my appetite. This happens naturally to many people at the beginning of a hike but for me, it persisted and I came to the conclusion that eating is an important social event and without people, I’m not motivated. You might ask, “what about Mr. Cody?” For some reason, eating with him doesn’t count. He is permanently hungry, I don’t think he cares whether I’m hungry or not--he just chows down on the available sustenance.

I have estimated I will travel about 20 miles a day (after my first half day). I think this is overly ambitious but a place to start. I plan to go where the path takes me and take each day as it comes.

I haven’t decided yet whether to journal from the trail. I don’t know if I will be able to recharge as I go, or even if I will have access to the internet.

Thanks for following our journey!