Today the desert kicked my ass. Really, really leveled me. It was brutal. Like most days, it started out pretty fine. We slept in because last night was a late one and so we started hiking around 0730. Not ideal considering we were in the middle of the desert, but you just can’t be at it early all the time. When I woke up, I already noticed how warm it was, so this did not bode well for the rest of the day.
The first couple of miles to the first water source were flat. Soon the wind-park appeared, which made for some interesting sights as we weaved through the extensive collection of turbines. Around 1100 we made it to the water source, and from there it would be another 6 miles to the next one. Because at this stage it was getting sizzling hot, we wanted to get there as fast as possible while carrying as little water as needed. But we’d also start climbing out of the desert basin. As most others I brought 2 liters and started the last section before our designated long break-spot. It was burning up, and there was no shade, while we were maximally exposed. “Did anybody order slow-cooked thru-hiker?” Sweating like crazy I tried to replenish by drinking water while hiking. By the time there were 2 miles to go, I had a couple of swigs of water left, which I chugged down and plowed through the final stretch, gritting my teeth.
Finally climbed to such high elevation that the winds started to pick up, and it became bearable to hike again. It had probably been one of the hottest sections on trail yet. Real tough. We dropped into the river-bed where we found a large tree that provided plenty of shade for the 5 of us to take a really, really long break, where we would sit out the worst heat of the rest of the day. All of us rolled out our tyveks, had a couple of quick snacks and drank tons of water. Soon it was dead quiet in the valley as we all rested our exhausted bodies in silence. For almost 2 hours nobody spoke a word, dozing in and out of sleep, occasionally snacking or listening to the sounds of the wild. At some point I had to move my tyvek to a different lounge-spot because the sun was peaking around the tree, and the temperature difference between being sheltered by shade or exposed to the sun was pretty intense.
I think hiker-hunger is starting to kick in, because my stomach seemed like a bottom-less pit today. Luckily I had plenty of food from my resupply box, and we’ll be in town tomorrow again to buy more, so I could eat whatever I wanted without having to worry about rationing. And so I did. Tortilla’s, cous-cous, peanuts, cookies, pop-tarts, candy, in no particular order. Everything disappeared without the slightest effort. Nobody felt like moving, and so around 1800 we finally got ready for the section out of the valley, and up the hill towards the campsite.
Even though I drank plenty of water during my break to avoid dehydration, after I started hiking again, out of the blue I was hit with a blinding headache. It was a real drag do be walking. I switched gears, and made for a very slow pace up the mountain. Gradually my headache disappeared, but I could still feel the effects of the tough morning; I was very tired. After the last water-stop we got ready for the last climb of the day. 3.7 miles up. It was hell. My energy-level plummeted and the climb seemed endless. An added nuisance was that my headlamp battery was running very low on battery. I had some spares, but they were buried deep in the bottom of my pack and I just couldn’t put myself to dig them up, in the dark night, on the steep sloping hill. Instead I decided to closely follow Simon, who was hiking in front of me. Of course Simon at this time was feeling super strong and was booking it up the mountain at a ridiculously high pace. Because of my stubbornness I thus had to haul ass after him to keep sight of the trail. Pushing hard when already exhausted, felt awful. I was counting down the miles, but it seemed to take forever. When we finally got to camp, I quickly pitched my tent and crashed, looking at the ceiling-tarp, doing and wanting nothing. Completely shattered. Toughest day on trail so far.
After a short lie-down I felt somewhat revived and joined the others outside. The campsite was something from another world; in the middle of the mountains, with a lovely view of the city-lights in the basin, someone had put down a large cabinet with trail magic, solar powered Christmas lights in the trees, multiple chairs and all sorts of decorating statues and all sorts of funny knick-knacks decorating the site. I sat down, leaned back and enjoyed the beautiful starry night-sky. As I finally settled in my body and relaxed, with music by Owl City playing in the background, I saw a shooting star.
I made a wish, and realized that once again, a glorious turnover had taken place: hardship had made way for harmony.
Last night it came as a picture
With a good reason, a warning sign
This place is void of all passion
If you can imagine it’s easy if you try
Believe me I failed this effort
I wrote a reminder this wasn’t a vision
This time where are you Houston
Is somebody out there, will somebody listen
Should I go back should I go back should I?
I feel alone and tired
Should I go back should I go back should I?
This time, I don’t want to
Asthenia – Blink 182
