Day #43-A summit and a noontime realization. Miles hiked: 37.3

Today was yet another opportunity to wake up to frozen shoes, water, and a film of ice around my clothes and sleeping bag. Refreshing! Nonetheless, it was time for me to summit my first 14er. Prior to this hike, the highest I’ve hiked is 12,400 ft. We hit 13,200 ft a few days ago and now time for 14,000 ft. 

I’ll admit it was a little hard to breath, but behold San Luis! 14,014 ft.

The walk down from the peak was a lovely 8 mile stroll along a creek…until I sat down for lunch and realized what day it was. Thursday. It was Thursday and I had a little over 80 miles to cover by the time the post office closes at noon Saturday. Only 10 miles into my day, it was time to put it in drive. 

Thankfully, the trail worked with me for this stunt and was flattish and smooth for the first time since New Mexico for much of the next 27 miles.

It still took quite a bit of pep in my step and very little time off my feet to make it happen. Nonetheless, I stumbled into camp just after dark to clock my longest trail day yet. Gusha and Mushka don’t have boxes, so they took the scenic route. I’ll meet them in town on Saturday as I have to do this again tomorrow.