Highlights:
1. Coffee and conversation with Russell—alpinism, training, and books galore.
2. Catching up with friends and family—trail life meets connection.
3. Witnessing a beautiful sunset as the day wound down.
Daily Summary:
• Distance hiked: 21 km
• Starting point: Wolf Creek Pass
• Ending point: km 3472
• Weather conditions: Sunny
Daily reflections: The Hitch, the Post Office, and a Japanese Guitar
I woke up warm, cocooned in a hotel bed—a luxury that feels like winning the lottery when you’ve been living on the trail. After a cold shower to jolt my senses (why not, right?), I did my morning ritual: meditation, stretching, and a casual 47 pushups. Then, it was off to the hotel breakfast—free fuel for the day ahead.
I’d arranged to meet Russell for a hitchhike + coffee downtown. He picked me up 10 minutes later, and we had a fantastic chat. We covered everything from alpinism and biking to Native American traditions and his job in cybersecurity for the state. He’s one of those people you instantly like—genuine and full of stories. A great way to start the day.
Afterward, I headed to the post office to ship my food supplies. The man who helped me was super service-oriented—one of those rare, uplifting experiences where you feel genuinely taken care of. It cost $40 to ship the food, which made me wonder if it’s worth it for places that technically have resupply options, even if they are expensive. But for places like Pie Town, where there’s no choice, it’s a necessary evil.
Next, I wandered through outdoor stores and stumbled upon a café called Lift. Naturally, I had my third cappuccino of the day—because who’s counting?—and a bagel. The café owner turned out to be a musician who’d worked with Morrissey. He mentioned a music store across the street, so of course, I had to check it out. The owner was welcoming and had me try out an Alvarez, a Japanese-made guitar with an amazing sound. It took everything in me not to buy it right there.
Hitchhiking back to the trail was a mixed bag. The first attempt, 30 minutes—nothing. So, I did the logical thing: had an enchilada and a large ice cream. Fueled up, I went back for round two of hitchhiking. After 20 minutes, a woman named Sara pulled over. She’s a Colorado native living in an RV with her husband and their 3-year-old son. We talked about city life versus nature and a bit about government distrust. It’s always fascinating to see how people make their lives work off the grid.
I also called Guitar Center to check on the Martin Backpacker. I almost bought it over the phone, but they wanted to ship it to Albuquerque. I want it on trail, though, so I’m holding off for now. I had another frustrating call with Amazon—30 minutes of my life gone, and then the line dropped. Not my favorite company, to say the least.
Throughout the day, I ran into six other hikers, including Saint, who was heading into town. I met up with Sirup and Peg Leg in a hut—they’re doing long miles but still haven’t passed me. We might end up sharing a hotel in Chama in two nights.
Now, as I write this, it’s getting very cold in my sleeping bag. I didn’t bother with dinner—just snacked on fruit and another energy ball since the lunches today were more than enough. The main focus now is staying warm.
Good night.
