Day 3 From Journal

After camping in that hollow I didn't want to get out of my hammock. The canopy of trees makes it hard for the sun to come in and warm me up. John didn't want to wait so he and Jason (decided to hike with us) went ahead. I didn't mind as my pace is considerably faster at this point so catching up wasn't an issue. I am trying not to be competitive, I just envision where I am going then I just go whether its a camping spot, a water spot etc. I guess I don't want to be hiking any longer than I have to.

It amazes me how dependent on water we are. Approx 3 days and you start to have big problems. Also, why is the one element we are so attached to taste like basically nothing. I can't imagine how tough it was for the pioneers trying to navigate these (or any for that matter)mountains without having a book like us telling us how far to the next stream, spring, river.

About 100yds into the 4th segment we came upon a faucet just a little bit south of the trail. Wow! It felt SO GOOD! Washed my head and upper body. I would soon miss the heat that made dousing my body with frigid water feel so good. Water will become my sole source of survival and also my biggest enemy.

John's knee was hurting so his pace was very slow to start and Jason is having issues with his heel. Allen, he's 58 and has been leapfrogging with us and is staying with us. He has done other hikes like the Long Trail in Vermont and has climbed Mt Whitney. After another 5 miles we stop at this awesome watering hole. I really nice spot to stop as I can tell it would benefit John and Jason's injuries but everyone else decided to keep going. Well about 3 more miles and we come to a dry spring. So once again we are at the same spot. No water to camp with. I had saved my water so I had enough to get me through but John and Jason didn't. Allen decided to continue to the next water. He even volunteered to bring water back to us and I just said "you don't have to do that". He replied with " I know". I should have just said no but felt like he wanted to so I said "If its not too far". He continues on and John and Jason do some looking around for any possible water sources with no luck. After setting up they decided to hike down to the next creek while I gathered wood and got the fire started. After all was said and done we logged close to 15 miles without counting the 2 they did for water. 

My biggest issue right now is my right hip. I am still pretty concerned John will over do it. I can only finish if I can get a ride from Durango. The other issue has been blisteres and hot spots on my feet. The heavy weight must be the difference since I have worn these shoes and no they didn't cause them on their own.

Hint of rain in the air tonight so tarping again. It was pretty nice overall upper 70's sunny. Food is going as scheduled so my only issue is taking longer than 30 days. I worry if it does.