FKT - 10 Canyon Traverse

Colorado Trail Days 10 and 11

Colorado Trail Day 9

Colorado Trail Day 8

Colorado Trail Day 7

Unsupported FKT. Northbound via Collegiate West.

Day 4 (8/29):
After a cold high-altitude start, I headed toward San Luis Peak. My feet had finally begun to blister, so I stopped to retape my feet. I was excited to reach the San Luis Saddle. I had climbed San Luis Peak the very first week after moving to Colorado, so I was familiar with the trail from the saddle. And it marked the beginning of a long 3k ft descent - a welcome relief from the climbing and high altitudes that I had been at for days.

As I neared the San Luis Trailhead, my trekking pole repair failed. The warmer temperatures at lower altitude had softened the Leukotape adhesive. This time, the adhesive cemented the ferrule within the shaft. It took some time to figure out how to pry it out with the tiny swiss army knife I had with me. I cut the spring loaded cord so that it would not be under constant pressure and taped each section of the pole together.

From the trailhead, I had a nice gentle downhill along Cochetopa Creek. I then climbed up and over into the vast expansive open expanses around Cochetopa. It was easy travel along forest roads amidst herds of cattle. I appreciated change in scenery.

Darkness again brought struggles. Aspirations of making up significant mileage at night were again foiled as sleep deprivation slowed me. I took a desperate twenty minute nap in a spot on a pile of branches and continued on. Coming down the hill, I paused to take care of growing blister pain. What I found when I removed my socks was truly horrifying. The first question that crosses your mind should not be “where are my toes?” I had waited far too long and done significant damage that would hinder me the rest of the hike.

I made it across CO-114 with its bizarre alien saucer solar powered light and a short ways up the hill before going to sleep in a clearing next to the creek.

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Nathaniel G

Colorado Trail Day 4

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FKT - 10 Canyon Traverse

Colorado Trail Days 10 and 11

Colorado Trail Day 9

Colorado Trail Day 8

Colorado Trail Day 7

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