First Church of The Masochist Hikes

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Currently approaching the Monarch Pass area in Colorado. I’m deep into shoulder season now and about 200 miles north of where I should be if not for the Covid incident but at least for the moment conditions have been holding. Each day has been in the mid to high 20s at night and all over the place during the day with a few rounds of grapple or snow flurries being the norm. Yesterday I actually had to book it over the last pass in the middle of snow and thunder. I’m still struggling with the post Covid cough / weakness but managing to make OK progress even if I’d like to be doing more miles each day.

After the snowy weather when I passed through Silverthorne I thought I might have to take the lower altitude route through the Collegiate area. Fortunately a few clear ish days let me sail over the eastern route chatting with dayhikers near Cottonwood and enjoying expansive views with the occasional moose or snow flurry

When I saw the trail was going to drop down a few thousand feet for a bit I have to say I was rather happy. I traded in the snow for some fall colors and got to take off a few layers and my trusty rain pants at long last. At least until yet another rain storm swept through…

Even taking the lower altitude Silverthorne Alt south of Winter Park had me doing multiple passes and traverses up above 12k which is firmly above the snow line from this last set of storms. The at times ankle deep snow has made it a bit of a challenge keeping my feet warm and also slows down my pace. Which is of course on top of my struggles post COVID where I’m still feeling fatigued and suffering from coughing fits. But onwards and southwards…

Well that changed rather quickly but it did at least validate my route decisions. I should hopefully be finishing up the Silverthorne alt today and re-join the CDT red line.

The weather has been a bit volatile out here in Colorado but you can’t beat the views. At least when I’m not socked in by a storm. Currently making my way through the Silverthorne area

After a good strong run out here on the CDT I ended up hitting a major stumbling block around Winter Park when what I thought was just an altitude cough ended up being a rough round of COVID. Despite my best efforts it ended up knocking me off the trail for about 10 days (spent in a combination of hotels and trying to wait it out in my tent near the trailhead) I finally came out the other end and I’m continuing to make my way south.

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