Brutal hot day

Day 19

Date: 11.05.2022

CDT Mile: Mile 358.2

Miles hiked: 22.5 Miles / 36 km

We slept in today as the group is behind us. At 8.30am we decided to hike out. We left a message made out of woodsticks behind, saying 'Going to Water at Aragon, 8.30am'. So they know it was us, we hiked out at 8.30am and we will wait for them at the next water source. Just when we finished the message they turn up! Together we start the day with a uphill climb and a beautiful view, before we can enjoy a long downhill hike to the prairie again. And back in the desert we are again. We arrived at the Aragon Well for water just in time for lunch. The water tank even includes some fishes! After refill and mandatory nap, Tiempo and me hike out around 2.30pm. The rest of the group, arriving later at the water source, decided to wait out the heat under a tree. So we hike out. At first it wasn't that bad, cause there was a nice cool breeze. After crossing Highway 12 we leave the CDT trail and follow the alternate Pie Town Road Walk. Again this alternate is much shorter than the official route, has water caches in between, the Davila Ranch (an oasis for us hikers in the middle of nowhere) and avoids a long highway road walk. However, the alternate is all on dirt road nearly 40 miles. And suddenly the cool breeze is gone and the heat kicks in. Brutal. I already forgot the heat of the desert and didn't expect it out here at all. We stop for a break under a tree only 2 miles in. We hike out and stop again after 3 miles. It took us forever to hike the around 10 miles and we only arrived shortly after 7pm at the camp ground. During the afternoon also my belly started to trouble me. While we cook, get to use the pit toilet (so much better with stomach issues!), empty our trash (how exciting again!), set up the camp and finally just get ready for bed, the rest of the group hikes in shortly after 9pm in the dark. I'm so happy they made it here too! What a hot and unexpected hard day!