An another amazing day in the San Juan's

Day 38

Date: 08.06.2022

CDT Mile: 920.9 Mile

Miles hiked: 16.3 miles / 26 km

Elevations: ascent 4'157 feet (Aufstieg 1'267 m) / descent 3'675 feet (Abstieg 1'120 m)

Camping at: 11'755 feet / 3'583 m

I get up and the sun is out. It is a 300 or 400 feet climb till the top of the pass, and my legs feel very heavy, even if it isn't such a steep trail. It is warm outside and hardly any clouds are visible. However, I start to feel sick, as if I have to threw up. Not the best feeling being in high altitude, having to hike 15+ miles and carrying a heavy backpack. I don't think it is altitude sickness. I rather believe that my protein chocolate drink I made this morning was too much and drunken too fast. We bought some protein powder in Pagosa Springs and split it between 3 of us as a breakfast alternate. I don't like to eat much in the mornings. I am not hungry and also don't want to spend too much time for preparing and eating bf. But this morning my shake was more than 0.5 liter and I put some extra power in it. I guess that was simply too much! So I struggle a little, take a break to rest my belly. Hiking on I kinda forget my sickness. It is just too beautiful out here. The views are incredible! And it is mostly downhills😁

I hiked till noon and waited at a stream for the others to eat lunch. The stream and the location however wasn't superb. There was hardly any space than the trail to sit and the stream is a lake outlet. Perfect for fishing, I could see some fish in the river. But the river was also hard to cross and I wanted to wait for help. I waited and waited and waited and did eat a little sandwich. Then I gave up. Either I can cross it or I will fall and get wet, but I won't get hurt. So I took the risk, and made a big jump to a little island in the middle and finally crossed the river safely. I hiked on less than a mile to a next stream (we try to stop for lunch next to a stream to get water) and found a suitable spot in the woods to wait. The others arrived shortly after 2pm. After lunch there were two more steep climbs awaiting us. The first one was quite ok and rewarded us with amazing views. One of the best views so far I would say. After the downhill the second and last climb of today was awfull and very steep. We camped about 2 miles down in a valley and a swamp area. Tomorrow it's only 5 miles to the junction where we will get off trail to a Trailhead and hopefully get a hitch fast to Silverton. I am soooo ready for town!