Wayne's Adventure (In Motion)

June 25th, Cuba NM. CDT Red Line.

 So the 120 miles section between Grants, NM and Cuba, NM was one of the most beautiful and diverse sections I have ever encountered.  You hike up above 9,000 feet into alpine forests for 30 miles, climb down again onto the desert floor for 20 miles, then spend 70 miles constantly climbing and descending endless, steep sheer rock cliffs.  I was stunned how different terrains could be packed into such a relatively short distance.

The last 70 miles is not for the weak of spirit or cardio.  I routinely average 22 mile days (hiking from 7:00 am to about 9:00 p.m).  This section dropped me to 12 mile days in places.  And believe me, I worked for every inch of that. My Garmin Smart Watch kept asking me, “Dude, are you OK?” I was not. But it was definitely worth it.

About 20 miles before you hit Cuba, you go up and  over a cliff that the CDT hikers have nicknamed “Satan’s Razor”.  The topo map doesn’t even begin to do it justice:

The CDT statement on this climb is a real peach:

“Mile 616 of the CDT Red Line contains an EXTREMELY steep, extended cliff climb with unstable footing, full sun and wind exposure, and rock slide risk.    We advise you do not attempt this climb unless experienced in similar terrain, properly equipped and only in optimal weather.  Unfortunately, there have been several accidents including deaths on this climb.  CDT Hikers are advised to use extreme caution.”

Translation:  “You CDT hikers quit dying on this damn thing.  You’re making us look bad.”

 I knew about this climb and so camped at the base of it the night before to get started on it just before dawn broke.  It’s completely exposed so you cook when the sun is up.  I slept badly, dreading the morning. 

I planned to get up early, but was woken up by a bear sniffing around my tent about 3 a.m.  I yelled and threw a rock at it, but can’t throw well from a prone position.  Missed by a lot.  Bear ran off, undoubtedly thinking I will just pull his food bag off his shattered body once he falls off the cliff tomorrow and that I throw like a girl.

I got up a bit later.  Ate everything in my food bag that had sugar (energy).  Drank my precious water down to the bare minimum to get to town and poured the rest out.  This hurt me more than I can describe. 

Dawn Broke.  Climbing Began.

I must say, the comments on the app from CDT hikers who just climbed it are some of the most profanity laden sentences I have ever read.  “F**K, F**K, F**K” was the most brief.  “Satan only uses this razor to SHAVE HIS BALLS, almost died about 30 times.” Was the most descriptive.

For me, as I pulled myself up over the rim and crawled away from the abyss, I can only say I really don’t want to do that again.  Ever.  And screw you Bear….