April 21, 2013
Mexico/NM border to Lordsburg
The motto that we adopted from the U.S. Marine Corps, "improvise, adapt and overcome" was put to the test on day one. We were met at the border by a U.S. Border Patrol agent who told us that there had been an "increased activity" of illegal drugs and aliens crossing into the United States. He said that a hiker had been stabbed within the last few weeks. He advised us (as did several other Border Patrol agents over the following days) to "be safe". I took that to mean that we should sleep in a motel and not on the trail since most of the activity occurs during the night. So, from the border to just north of Lordsburg we slept at a Comfort Inn and day hiked the trail.
Weather: From the 70's to the 80's during the day and from breezy to extremely windy. On Wednesday, April 17, they shut down Interstate 10 due to the high wind. Crystal clear big skies without a hint of rain.
Impressions:
* Much of this desert is used for cattle grazing but many of the cows look pretty skinny!
* Practically the only vehicles you see south of Lordsburg are U.S. Border Patrol trucks or U.S. Border Patrol trucks pulling trailers of ATV's or horses to run across the desert.
* The term "trail" is used loosely down here. Essentially, you walk cross-country across the desert and the route may or may not be marked. Maps/compasses or GPS devices come in very handy.
* We have met about a dozen other hikers this week - most of them have hiked at least one of three long-distance trails. They have trail names such as Beacon, Rambler, Pacer, Balls, Sunshine, Breeze, Max Chill, Fiesty and Pod. And then there is Bob. We are clearly the greenhorns!
Our condition: We were feeling pretty good until we hiked 22.6 miles on Thursday - that kicked our booties! Mike and I have sore feet with blisters but wrapping our feet with Leukotope is saving the day.
Total Miles to Date: 104
Weather: From the 70's to the 80's during the day and from breezy to extremely windy. On Wednesday, April 17, they shut down Interstate 10 due to the high wind. Crystal clear big skies without a hint of rain.
Impressions:
* Much of this desert is used for cattle grazing but many of the cows look pretty skinny!
* Practically the only vehicles you see south of Lordsburg are U.S. Border Patrol trucks or U.S. Border Patrol trucks pulling trailers of ATV's or horses to run across the desert.
* The term "trail" is used loosely down here. Essentially, you walk cross-country across the desert and the route may or may not be marked. Maps/compasses or GPS devices come in very handy.
* We have met about a dozen other hikers this week - most of them have hiked at least one of three long-distance trails. They have trail names such as Beacon, Rambler, Pacer, Balls, Sunshine, Breeze, Max Chill, Fiesty and Pod. And then there is Bob. We are clearly the greenhorns!
Our condition: We were feeling pretty good until we hiked 22.6 miles on Thursday - that kicked our booties! Mike and I have sore feet with blisters but wrapping our feet with Leukotope is saving the day.
Total Miles to Date: 104
This picture of us at a vandalized CDNST monument located at the border of Mexico/New Mexico was taken by a U.S. Border Patrol agent. How perfect!
Mike with cattle grazing in the distance.
|
Mike passing through abundant Ocotillo cactus patch.
|
Water fountain for cattle and thirsty CDNST hikers (no kidding - both get water from troughs like these located throughout the desert)!
|
Cow snacks - who knew?
|
Don't get lost!
