I walk below tree line for quite a while, appreciating the shade and relative protection from weather.

Sargents Mesa has war memorial seemingly in the middle of nowhere. I’m sure there’s a trailhead nearby, but for me, I walked 3 days to get here. I spend a moment here.

Afternoon/evening storms have started building in this section. Approaching evening one night and it looks like I’m in for some overnight weather…

Until I find this backcountry cabin. Had a candlelit dinner. These huts are notorious for rat infestations but I didn’t have any problems.

There’s actual trail on this section, less and less snow so I’m able to do bigger days.

I make it to Monarch pass quick… Enough time to hitch into Denver and try to meet Caitlin at the airport.

I walk around Denver with a thousand yard stare, looking at the hordes of people staring back at me, staring up at skyscrapers, and spending at least $20 on coffee.

I surprise Caitlin at the airport and we spend the next 3 days visiting every single place in Salida where you can buy beer, ice cream, or food.

It feels like the first day of summer vacation, not a worry in the world. I wear underwear for the first time in 7 weeks.

Caitlin and I are partners in crime in this town, walking around with an insouciant attitude.

Caitlin sadly has to leave me, so I grab a meal from Safeway, this time without the voice of reason next to me.

Trail after a triple zero is gonna be a world of hurt. I think I’m ready for it. Maybe…

4-5 day resupply

Well, I’m often at the mercy of small town grocery stores or rural general stores. This stretch was particularly junk food heavy, but more or less representative of my nutrition out here.

6 am – couple hundred calories of bars to start the day – 650 calories, 650 total

8 am – 8 shortbread cookies – 240 calories, 890 total

8:30 am – snickers – 250 calories, 1140 total

9:30 am – maltodextrin and gatorade – 600 calories – 1740 total

12:30 – two tuna and cheddar burritos – 800 calories, 2540 total

3:00 – snack pack! 260 calories for 70 cents, can’t be beat! – 2800 total

3:30 – chewy – 100 calories – 2900 total

3:31 – krispies – 90 calories – 2990 total

3:35 – more cookies – 240 calories – 3230 total

4:00 – as many fritos as I can eat (electrolytes) – 300 calories – 3530 total

I didn’t have it today, but often I’ll do another maltodextrin shake in the afternoon. I usually either mix it with 50g of protein powder, or gatorade. If I need a jet fuel mix, I’ll putt 400 cal of malto plus 250 cal protein, plus three servings of instant coffee. That’ll get me over anything. Maltodextrin is a long chain carbohydrate with a glycemic index higher than sugar. It’s a fructose polymer derived from corn, so it’s calorie dense without being sweet. Fast digestion and absorption rate.

I often wonder how many ears of corn I’m consuming on trail. However, 60,000 calories for $60 just cannot be beat. I guess that’s the corn industry for ya.

8:00 pm – knorr rice side cold soaked – 600 calories – 4130 total

I did 43 miles on this day, it’s more than my average day but I had a big downhill and the least snow in 2 weeks so I was cruising. It was also the summer solstice, also known as hike naked day. Yes, I’m sun burnt.

A rough estimate is 400 calories per hour if hiking * 14 hours = 5600 calories consumed. I run about a 500-1000 calorie deficit per day hiking and make up for it in town. I usually get into town about 5-8 pounds under my starting weight of 160. After the most amazing three days of galavanting around Salida with Caitlin, I’m probably well above 160… Good livin out here. I am so happy.

Compared to a trail day, here’s some of what I eat in town. I usually buy broccoli and carrots at the minimum, salad and beer are usually on the menu.

It doesn’t get any better than this.