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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>I started from CC on April 10 with Larry. I ran into some very unusual van key problems and picked up the name Keymaster. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Larry ran into what seems to have been an electrolyte imbalance and on the morning of the 4th day hiked back to Hwy 9 and hitched into Lordsburg.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I finished the last 38 miles into Lordsburg in 2 days.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Larry recovered and we jumped up to Silver City, had a friend drive us out to the end of Little Walnut Rd and Larry and I hiked from there up to Snow Lake in 8 days. We ended our hike at Snow Lake today. I left Larry in Silver City this afternoon and I drove back to AZ and got in this evening.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Gila River section was destroyed by a flood last fall. What we found was a shortage of remaining trail and an abundance of small boulder fields to walk across, huge debris piles to work around, and lots of sand and silt to walk through. Hiking the Gila River is different this year than it has ever been before.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Last year I hiked the section of the Gila River from where the TJ Ranch Trail joins the Gila River- the popular route into the Jordan Hot Springs- and from there up to Snow Lake. Good earth path to tread, great trees to walk under and easy river crossings. All that is now changed- the earth is gone in most places. I estimate that maybe 30% of the original trail still exists but what is in place is often covered in fine silt or sand, and often blocked by downed trees and piles of debris. Looking at the changes from last year I was close to tears a number of times. Still, Larry and I made it through to Snow Lake in 4 days/3 nights. we were done by noon today (Friday- April 26) and Larry and I called our trip a success and ended it there.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I still have some lingering problems with radiation from 5 yrs ago. I don't understand this but last year into the 3rd week I started peeing blood. Same thing happened this year. I have worked with the after effects of radiation now for 5 years. I have some lingering problems I just can't get over and I think this trip has been my last attempt at a long distance hike. I am 65 and think I am going to see if I can get into a senior baseball league in Phoenix and redirect my energy in a different direction.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I have really enjoyed the time on the cdt-l. I can still toss a baseball across home plate, but I am just not in this long distance hiking league. So I am benching myself.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I do have a z-pack solo plus tent with Cuban fiber/flooring in it for sale for $395.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Stakes not included.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Theresa, thanks for the spotting, the naming- I enjoyed the time with you and on the trail very much. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Also, I have now hiked both the CDT and the CDTS routes from their starting points to Snow Lake. I may post a few more times and share my thoughts on the 2 routes. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>-Keymaster (once known as Trew)<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>