The beginning of the Continental Divide Trail (CDT). After much planning, and a year delay, it's time to start walking.
There's not much out here in southern New Mexico - some border patrol stops, and a couple of towns from another era, trying to hang on.Entry to Mexico is barred.The southern terminus, "Crazy Cook", is at the Mexican/US border, and similar to the Arizona Trail, it consists of a barely-there wire fence.
Normal CDT Hiker season starts in mid-April, but in early March, there's no one there except for my ride and I - no one else for countless miles.
How's that for social distancing.
2pm. It was past time to get going. The trail goes this wayIt was a grumpy day, which is ideal, considering there is no shade out here. On a hot, cloudless day, the sun would be brutal. On this day, however, it was quite pleasant.
There's really no trail to speak of; nothing except wilderness and some cows, and signs marking the way. Walk to one sign, then spot the next sign, and repeat. A road is just as good as a trail in these partsI'm happy to report that the Mark VIII pack performed well on his inaugural trek, even though I had not tested it at all.
I used the same design as the Mark VII, except without hip belts.
Is it a good idea to walk a major trail using an untested pack without hip belts? Probably not. Is this what we're doing?
Yep.
As a result, however, I have to be very cognizant about what I carry; there's not a lot of room for extra weight.
It was very clear that I had too much food. I remembered later on that I had packed a red bell pepper and an avocado that I had planned to eat before starting the trail, but had forgotten. Both foods are extremely heavy. Also, my knife is being shipped, as I didn't bring it in my carry-on for the flight to El Paso. Have you ever tried to eat an avocado without cutting it with a knife first?
No. I don't imagine you have.
I wouldn't recommend it.
Also. I have this pot. It's 4 oz. I don't want it. I never want to use it.
Hot food is nice, but it takes too long. Maybe I'll need it in the future, but for now, it has to go.
