Day #39-Rainbow kitten surprise. Miles hiked: 26.1

I’ve been pretty darn resilient through these hard days, but today my body and mind have just been tired. However, check out this final wave goodbye to the southern San Jaun’s just before meeting a completely new biome.

Once we did meet up with the CT, the climbs became less steep and the rocks gave way to high alpine grasslands. I even saw three elk, a pica, and three marmuts! 

After lunch, those familiar CO afternoon clouds rolled in and brought us quite a surprise. Some gentle flurries sparkling with sun turned into a gnarly snow event. We still had 13 miles to go, so in we went over exposed ridges with piercing wind and sleet/snow. 

The motto of the CDT is “embrace the brutality,” and this is what it means. However, after enduring the brunt of the pandemic during medical school with isolation and constant death around me every moment, this is a welcome change. Finally, a brutality that is simple-a snowstorm that will give way to sun instead of an interminable trauma. 

Needless to say, I was very thankful for my little tent and sleeping bag once evening fell and the storm raged on. I may or may not have eaten an entire bag of pretzels inside my quilt and called it a night.