We awoke early at 5:30 to start the 4,000 ft climb out of the Grand Canyon on the Hermit Trail. The plan was to climb the 11 miles from the Colorado to Hermit’s rest on the rim with Jenn and then depart ways at the top. 

The hike was tough and I came away hella impressed by Jenn. Her feet were tore up with blisters (I think we counted 7 before we started the day!), but she toughed it out. 

We encountered a spring about a mile from the top to re-up on water, and shortly after I took off down a different trail leaving Jenn to finish her Grand Canyon loop solo. 

I climbed the remaining 1,000 feet, said “see you soon(ish)” to the canyon, and started hiking the first dirt road that would be part of a string of them to take me to Seligman, AZ. 

This section water is scarce and weighed heavy on my mind (and in my backpack).

My first two water sources were dry as a bone and I began to get nervous -- how long can I last without water? I decided to push extra miles today to put myself in a good position for early water tomorrow. As the sun was setting, I came across a ranch in the desert.

iI knocked on the door, and A fella named Justin gave me 7 water bottles to fill up my water store. Justin was extremely gracious for having a stranger knock on his door near dark, and he even gave me the 411 on water over the next several miles. With Justin’s help, water is less of a mystery and I can solidly focus on enjoying the days with less stress. 

It was pitch dark by the time I left the ranch so I was forced to pick a less than an ideal campsite. Prickly thorns were littered all over the ground, and I don’t wanna risk putting a hole in my sleeping pad again so I am sleeping on my small sit pad (1ft by 3ft of foam) and my backpack. 

While unpacking my food tonight, I discovered a small hole in my food bag where some little critter tried to eat my peanut noodles.... but upon closer look, the the critter just took a little nibble and then must’ve scurried away. Maybe that says something about my dinner... 

Miles: 24ish with 7k+ of elevation gain 

Total GWL Poops: 

      Wild:  1

      Toilet: 2