Saturday, May 30, 2026
29.1 miles, 4941′ gain/2533′ loss.
Max altitude: 9724′
I flew into Albuquerque yesterday evening. There were a few delays and I had to make a mad dash through the airport after pushing my way to the front of the plane but I just managed to make my connecting flight. Unfortunately, my stomach didn’t love the airport food I had for dinner, or the turbulence on both flights. It took almost a full day for my stomach to settle back down.
After landing late, I unpacked my checked bag and organized my backpack. I then went searching for the USPS blue box I knew was available at the airport entrance. Unfortunately, it only had thin slots for paper envelopes – there was no space for my small package. I then requested a rideshare to get to my motel 10 minutes away. The man at the hotel was very friendly and a fellow hiker. He very kindly offered to mail my package tomorrow, after I bemoaned to him that I still needed to go find a different blue box at the hospital half-a-mile away.
After a very short sleep, I woke to found my early bus was delayed by 1.5 hours. I rested in bed for another hour and then headed to the bus station. The bus arrived later than they’d estimated and then the bus crew took a 30- minute break. So we did not depart for more than an hour after the bus arrived. By the time I finally debated just taking a rideshare, the bus was within 15 minutes of loading and departure.
I met five other CDT LASHers from NYC also waiting at the bus station for the bus that goes to Grants, all in a group together. They’re doing much lighter miles than I am, so I won’t see them again. We chatted for a few minutes and then went our separate ways to await the bus.
I arrived in Grants at 9:15am and started the walk out of town after using the bathroom at the bus stop/gas station one last time. The day’s miles started with 8 miles of flat to lightly uphill road walking before leaving the road for trails. The first few off-road miles were a consistent climb before hitting some open fields with nice views of Mt Taylor.
I had carried 3L from the gas station, and I needed what I’d brought, since there was no water on trail until mile 19, where there was a potable water spigot next to a road. Unfortunately, this water came from a black plastic pipe that runs entirely above ground. Since it was afternoon by the time I got there, the water was almost scalding hot. It felt like 85 degrees in the sun. I was thirsty enough that I took 1 liter immediately, added lemon lime Gatorade powder, and drank the entire thing in one go. I packed up another 2-3L of hot water and kept going.
In the afternoon, I saw a snowshoe hare running away from me, with those big footies! I also startled an elk and 2 random cows near sundown. I pushed past sundown since I’d started late. I stopped around 9:30pm after walking by headlamp for the last half an hour. I was cozy in bed by 10:30pm, camped out right around 9000′.
The altitude today was noticeable but not bad. Perhaps my training in high humidity helped. I kept my pace steady and moderate, more based on my heart rate and perceived exertion rather than any MPH goal. Keeping the effort moderate helped me feel confident and ready for another day of walking.
Transcending Mountains 