What Did I Get Myself Into: Mexican Border to Lordsburg, NM (Mile 0-85)

 (Mile 0-85) May 9th - May 14th

85 miles down and I’m back in Lordsburg! I thought I was in shape for just “walking” each day, but turns out I needed to build up my endurance more. It took me five in a half days to get this first stretch done, which honestly isn’t bad. I’m still working up the endurance for the 20 mile a day goal, right now I’m doing about 15-17. Day 2 was my lowest point on the trail where I wondered what I got myself into. The trail was marked only by wooden post all the same height as the plants around me. I was constantly losing the trail and breaking brush (or cactuses) till I picked it up again. I only made it 12 miles in 10 hours on day 2. Ever since that day though I was able to walk a lot faster and longer.

Within ten minutes into the first day I came across my first rattlesnake! He was off to the right of the trail, I guess we must of woke him up. I’ve probably seen over a hundred jack rabbits and lizards! In the mornings you can’t go more than 10 feet without a group of four jack rabbits running out in front of you! Sometimes if you whistle they’ll stop and turn their big ears toward you. Then all afternoon lizards just run all over the place. I saw several mule deer and lots of cows. The coyotes are active at night too, so it’s always exciting to lay under the moon and hear them howling.

I took the shuttle down to the Mexican border with two other guys, but after day one they hiked on and I hadn’t seen anyone for 3 days. On the 5th day I finally saw someone! A lady who owns the ranch around me was with her grandson checking the water tanks for the cows. I was really grateful when she offered me an orange. It was probably the best tasting orange I’ve ever had.

I’ve learned that this trail is going to be a lot tougher than I thought. I’m not quitting though and plan to make it to Canada one of these days! I am dropping weight from my pack though, 50lbs is killing me. For the next two days I’m staying in Lordsburg to allow my blisters to heal up and my muscles to recover before I push on! Thanks everyone for following along and don’t forget to help me reach my goal with the Gary Sinise Foundation!