Wayne's Adventure (In Motion)

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Location:  Gila River Alternative, CDT.    

So, one of the most famous and utilized of the alternative paths on the CDT is the Gila River Alternative. You follow the Gila through an incredibly narrow, soaring stone canyon for 105 miles. I waded across that fast rushing river at least 300 times. In short, it was magnificent,  exhausting, terrifying and I highly recommend surviving it.  

The scenery was ancient and breathtaking.  And you never get to see it unless you wanna walk up a river for a hundred miles or so.  So very rarified air.  But the water was the concern.    

The rushing water was usually knee to thigh-high but the day “the boys” submerged cause concerns. Swimming is one thing but swept down a river with 50 lbs of dead weight strapped to you,  drowning is the more likely option. So learning how to do swift water crossings by myself was an essential skill. Thank you YouTube.