Week 2: Reaching New Heights

Reflections

I’m writing this from a cozy couch in Leadville where we’ve stopped for a rest and resupply. We’re about 170 miles into the trail, and I’m filled with bittersweet emotion as I say goodbye to one amazing hiking partner and welcome another.

I’m 12 days into the trail now and I can feel my body and mind adjusting to weeks full of putting one foot in front of the other. As I mentioned briefly in my last post, I was suffering from rather severe foot pain that made shoes unbearable by days six and seven. On these days I trudged along in flip flops, which came with its own consequences (both in my physical health and my embarrassment of hiking in “THOSE?!”). But once we reached Breckenridge, I was able to find new shoes that properly fit and support my feet. I’m so relieved to say that I’m practically 100% now and feeling unstoppable moving forward!! I’ve certainly had a lesson in appreciating my health, and the ability of my body to move me across great distances and heights. I’m more grateful than ever.

This past week we’ve traveled over several 12,000-foot peaks in which the beauty has been insurmountable. The trail just keeps getting prettier as we move further along. We’ve had chilly mornings and a half day of cold rain, but overall, the weather has been lovely. This week we got to add quite a few new animals to our list of spottings, including pikas, marmots, and a moose! Zac has had his handy-dandy binoculars out at every opportunity.

It wouldn’t be a full post without me expressing my appreciation for Zac as a wonderful hiking partner. He inched along slowly with me when every step hurt, offered me the shoes off his feet, wore flip flops WITH me for a day in full support (crazy, right?!), made me laugh more times than I can recall, and has always been ready to go with optimism.

I’m overflowing with gratitude for my company and support on this trail, including those back home more than ready to help and cheer me on however/whenever they can. The beauty I get to see every day hiking is just the icing on the cake for me! A triple-layer, chocolate cake with strawberries and whipped cream on top. I couldn’t ask for more.

Happy hiking everyone ☺️

Daily Mileage + Campsite Elevation

Day 8-

miles hiked: 12.8

elevation: 10,107ft

Day 9-

miles hiked: 15

elevation: 11,076ft

Day 10-

miles hiked: 14.8

elevation: 10,364

Day 11-

miles hiked: 14.2

elevation: 10,910

Day 12-

miles hiked: 8.9

elevation: 10,158ft (Leadville!)

More Songs Living in My Head Rent-Free

• Gravity- John Mayer
• Warning- Pepper, Stick Figure
• The Ants Go Marching
• I Got You (I Feel Good)- James Brown & The Famous Flames
• Escape (The Piña Colada Song)- Rupert Holmes

A Backpacking Squirrel (You’re Welcome)

Moving Forward!

Tomorrow my mom and I will be setting off into the mountains! We’ll be taking the Collegiate West route, which will have us camping and hiking between 10-12,000 feet for almost 100 miles! Our next resupply stop will be in Salida, around mile 250. Thanks for reading! 🙂

Photos Galore