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CDT Day 108: Mexico or Bust
The warmest morning I have had on trail in…months. Maybe the entire trail actually. Of course it would finally warm up at the very end. The sunrise is beautiful.
I start hiking and do some bushwacking through the cactus until I end up on a dirt road.
Did I mention today is my last day on the trail? Whoops, might have forgot to mention that. My dad had planned to pick me up at the terminus and sure enough I hear a noise and turn around and there he is driving up the road behind me. After a quick reunion I tell him I’ll see him at the end and he drives off and I follow behind. Before long I come upon his truck stopped and we both try to figure out how someone is supposed to drive this “road” farther, since it’s basically a wash. He decides to head back and try another road and I just do my thing and keep walking. Perks of being on your feet- you can go just about anywhere. The day goes pretty smoothly, only get lost a couple times. Only get one bad cut from a cactus.
The day is hot (finally!) and I stop to take a break under the only shade tree around for miles. I hang out with some bulls.
I walk through al the cool washes.
I skirt some neat mountains.
And then push on until in the early evening I finally make it. To the terminus.
To the end.
To Mexico!
Not quite what I thought it would look like, but it never does.
The road on the other side of the fence is actually better than the American road! My dad found his way there and I am more than excited to have a ride home and not have to walk the 25 miles back to the highway and hitchhike. I hang out with the monument for a bit, but after walking 3,000 miles, a little stone structure doesn’t mean to much. All the memories were made on the way. Eventually, we jump in the truck and drive away… classically into a beautiful desert sunset.
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Comments 10
Congratulations! It is very impressive that you hiked 3,000 miles in 108 days. Well done. Thank you for writing the blog.
Hi Jenn,
Congratulations! Thank you so much for sharing your adventure with everyone! It was fun following along. Your story telling was great, and it always perked up my day when I saw a new update in my email.
-Bo
Congratulations on finishing your CDT hike and your Triple Crown. Enjoyed your excellent journal. David Odell. AT71 PCT72 CDT77
That a girl Jenn!
I have enjoyed keeping up with your adventure on the CDT. Your style is awesome.
You have true grit and you are an inspiration to myself and many others. Thank you for sharing your epic story with us all.
David
Congratulations. What an amazing adventure. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and photos. Sure hope you write a book someday. It will be a classic.
Jenn, you are such an inspiration! WOW! 3,000+ miles. You have joined an elite group of my heros. If you can do that we can all do more than we think. Hat’s off to you!!!
Congratulations on a huge accomplishment. Triple Crown. Your experience certifies you as an expert thru hiker. And a good writer too. I hope you follow it up by writing articles or blogs sharing your knowledge on things like what are your favorite sections, what you chose and chose against for gear, how you kept warm when wet, your training, your food, etc, etc. There is so much you can share that aspiring thru hikers would be interested in. Again, congratulations.
Congrats on an amazing accomplishment! I am going to make your blog required reading for my 12 year old daughter. You are a great example of grit, determination, and perseverance. I only recently discovered your blog and have spent the last day binge reading it whenever I got a moment. Good luck in whatever your future holds!
Congrats! Thanks for taking us along!
Jen,
Great writing in this adventure! I can only imagine what it took for you to keep up with the posts while absolutely crushing your daily miles and skipping zeros! Well done!