2/24/14 – 66 miles.
After catching the latest episode of *The Walking Dead* in my motel last night, a relaxing slumber in a real bed, and a hearty breakfast at the local coffee shop, I felt rested and ready to hike this morning. The trail started out pretty easy for the first few miles, but then it started an excruciating climb, and it wasn’t long before I was hiking like one of those zombies.
Within a mile of town I met a man out for a run who told me he and his wife hosted a thruhiker last year. He said he was sorry he didn’t see me in town yesterday to offer me the same hospitality. How nice to see trail angels on the AZT. I met a Border Patrol vehicle a little later that slowed down long enough to realize I was 100% Gringo, and then passed by with a wave.
I stopped about 3:30 because the guide book says there are no good camping spots above here. There is a pool of water in the rocks above my camp that looks stagnant but at least no cows can get to it.
I will soon enter the Wrightson Wilderness and a section of historic hydraulic gold mining. I will be interested to see what’s there. I keep hoping to find an overlooked gold nugget. On second thought, I wouldn’t want to pack it out!
How’s the water holding out? Are you going to need a water drop?
I loved your “walking like a zomby” comment!
Good episode. I doubt we have seen the last of Rick’s intruders.