CDT Day 6, May 11, 2025

Start: 25.3 

Stop: 14.2 

Today’s Miles: 11.1

Total CDT miles: 68.4

Yall. Today was rough for me. I slept ok, and we got on trail by 7am. All seemed well, just a short 11 miles to the next water cache to knock out, on a dirt road the majority of the way. Welp. That all sounds great when you have shade-but alas, we did not, for the most part. 

It wasn’t that windy as we walked, and it got hot, fast. I kept my umbrella up the majority of the day, but my legs still got roasted, even with Pebble’s good sun screen on. The welts popped up and I felt like I was on fire. It was pretty miserable. 

I spotted another snake, tan like the sand-which made him extra creepy. Since my power bank has been charged, I was able to snap his picture! Pebbles walked right by him, I guess he was pretty well camouflaged. That’s what worries me, how well they blend in to their surroundings.. maybe not scared of this guy, but the rattlesnakes blend in too, and that’s terrifying!

We did find an ok enough tree with some shade for lunch, but as we sat there eating, the sun started to take over right before our eyes. I had my jacket covering my legs, which then just turned into an inferno, causing me to sweat more. Talk about ways to make someone irritable. Not to mention, Pebble’s tendonitis started flaring, too. I know he’s worried about it taking him off trail, so he’s going to start wearing his compression sleeves to see if that will help. Aren’t we just doing great?

We decided to push on when we realized the shade was a lost hope, and ended up making it to the water cache by 3pm. We filled up some water and then parked ourselves in the shade of tree in the wash of an old river-on rocks. Not the most comfortable, seat wise, but that was the only shade to be found, so, sacrifices had to be made. My legs are AWFUL. Blaring red and welts all over. They burn and itch and I wish I could soak them in an oatmeal bath. Instead I’m sitting in a wash where water used to be and is no where to be seen. Not even a hint of a bath coming my way any time soon. 

After about an hour and a half, Russel walked up! He’s a section hiker completing all of New Mexico. He’s very knowledgeable about the area and grew up in NM, but moved to the east coast as an adult. We chatted him up, talked about the sections coming up, and threw in some running chit chat, too. I was quite happy to have him and Pebbles talking so I could chime in every now and then, while sitting in my discomfort.. he was a welcomed distraction. 

Not long after Russel got there, another hiker showed up. He didn’t stay very long, maybe 30 minutes. He chatted, got water, ate a snack, and carried on. Then, a couple from Australia showed up. They are goals. They appear to be in their 60s and super fit, and they were fun to chat with too. They stayed for dinner (we all ate together, hiding in the shade of the tree), and then they carried on hiking.  

Russel, Pebbles, and I set up our tents, and I excused myself by 6:30. My legs BURN. I’ve taken some Benadryl and I’m praying it knocks me out. Comatose, please. There isn’t any wind blowing and the heat is stifling. Ugh. Hoping tomorrow is better. We get to the border tomorrow!