Sun Jun 3, 2018 @ 10:21

We are almost at the New Mexico/Colorado border (!!!) But we have been thwarted by an entire day of thunderstorms. We got in an early start (hiking by 5:50am!) And managed to knock out a fair few miles before the weather kicked in.

There were a few moments there where the storm was right on top of us. When we saw lightning flash without any delay before the boom and crack of the noise, it made us both feel astonishingly fragile as mere human beings out in the elements.

We even took forest road 87 rather than walking right up on the ridge, so that we were less exposed. It's cold up at 11000ft even normally, let alone when it hails and rains on you and the wind blows. We dodged rain and thunder from forest patch to forest patch and managed to pitch our tyvek ground sheet a few times for shelter when the storm really kicked up. By some miracle, we made it to our goal (10miles south of Cumbres pass) at 2:55pm, pitched our tent and climbed in right before the heaviest part of the storm set in.

It was cool being in the tent during all the hail, but also pretty frightening when the storm is happening right on top of you! It has definitely made me much more nervous for Colorado! Wish us luck!