Well after quite some time away from blogging a LOT has happened. But more on that later. What really has me going right now is that in just over 24 hours, I will be embarking on a world shaking quest to rid the world of raptors! And no, I'm not talking about birds of prey, I'm talking about dromaeosarurid theropod dinosaurs, sometimes referred to as 'velociraptors.'How am I going to do this, you may ask? I am going to spend two weeks hiking a long trail and just sort of assume that when I am done, they will be vanquished. Good plan, eh?
Ok, now the serious part for those of you that care. I will be starting my hike between segments 15 and 16 on the Colorado trail. This is at a place called Marshall Pass and is where the CT hits the continental divide. I will then be hiking North and East towards Denver and estimating 20ish miles a day for 11 days. on the 12th day, my father will be arriving from sea level to experience a bit of the Rockies, so I will NOT be doing 20ish miles a day. Though all in all, if my math is correct (insert shudder here) I will be hiking well over 200 miles in the next 17 days... Holy moly guacamole...
Logistically I will be carrying food for the first 9 days and resupplying when Andy comes out on trail and then again when Dad arrives. My pack weight with food and water at the beginning will be about 38.5 lbs. It will never be that heavy again. I will be carrying a SPOT GPS Messenger and updating my location every night when I make camp and every time I hit an official trail segment divider. I am hoping this will be enough information for my roommate and Dad (not to mention Andy) to find me when they come. Good luck guys ; ).
With great anticipation, I am finalizing my pack and my food, getting gear ready for my resupplies. I have not mentioned the emotional and, well, spiritual side of this whole trip, but suffice to say they are there too. I am now beginning a new chapter of my life. This is my first step into a new synergy of my skills, passions and the unknown. I now walk into the Wild. To test myself and forge new memory.
Wish me luck.
My SPOT information will be updated here for anyone to see. I will see some of you tomorrow, and the rest of you sometime after the 15th of July. Farewell!
