5/10-6/2 0 miles walked, 6916 miles flown

The paved road walking was tough. I might be in the minority of CDT hikers who find New Mexico worth the pain of dirt road walking and paved highway walking, judging by their public comments. But it’s beautiful. Too many miles caused an overuse injury, or maybe it was the new shoes and insoles I picked up in Pie Town. A new model of the Altra Timp and a new model of the Super Feet insoles I’ve been using forever. Regardless, 3 zeros haven’t resolved the tendinitis in my left foot. I only had time left to hike the 5 day stretch to Cuba anyway. And the initial water haul would add unbearable weight to a 5 day food carry.

The Grand Canyon Rim to Rim and then back Rim to Rim has been postponed to 2024 because the Park’s North Rim is still closed so I’ll head back to Dan and the cats, rest up the foot and hope I can quit hobbling before getting back on the AT June 3, after a bunch of flying and assorted chores.

I’m really sad about missing the stretch to Cuba by Mt Taylor, sacred to the local indigenous people. The cliffs and rock formations, the views, the history and prehistory, it’s amazing.