Pretty Pictures of a Shrinking Scarecrow

taken by Scarecrow

It has been a week of updates from Scarecrow - he finished the piece of Wyoming, waiting for the terrain to clear a bit in Colorado.  He, along with the Warrior Hikers, took a ride back down to Colorado with Theresa Martinez from the CDTC to reconnect their steps and finish up the missed section.


Pictured, you can see Jabba, Scarecrow, Theresa, NO2 and Grayhound taking a break from what was surely an interesting car ride for all.

Jabba & Scarecrow looking like twins (minus the beard)

An early checkpoint once entering Colorado through the San Juan Mountains is Wolf Creek Pass, with an elevation of 10,857 feet.  The hikers will continue to head North, through Colorado and into Wyoming.  They are so thankful they conquered the piece of Wyoming that will have little or no water supply by the time they were "supposed to" be there without flip flopping.  When they finally reach the Great Basin Divide, they will be able to launch forward about 200 miles and continue up to their ultimate goal of Glacier National Park.  

Teddy finally stepped on a scale and has lost 23 pounds since his departure.  He is now just over 200 pounds and shrinking.  He has about 1200 miles under his feet, with about 1900 left to conquer.  He has separated from Jabba, who stepped off the trail for family obligations and hopefully will reconnect with Scarecrow when he returns back to the trail.  The other Warrior hikers are still together, I believe, but Scarecrow has been on his own for a few days now.  He is cranking out the miles, heading North through Colorado eventually ending up in a town called Twin Lakes this past weekend.

 There was not much to report along the way, other than a resupply and some beautiful pictures sent of the amazing scenes he walked through on his way North.  He definitely needed an ice ax, his shoe spikes and winter gear to get through those snowy mountains.  Thankfully there are miles of no snow as you can see.

Unfortunately, there is a bit of a delay from when these pictures are taken and when I actually get to speak to him about them, so information is limited.  My instructions were to make sure he was in the pictures he is taking, so we can see how he is making out.  Great job, Teddy - you look great and the scenery is amazing.

Teddy took this picture of a fellow hiker to show us the terrain and how vast the snowy land is.  I do not think he shared with me who it actually was.

 So, as Teddy heads North through Colorado, the kids and I know the time we will meet up with him is getting closer.  While in the town of Twin Lakes over the weekend, we were able to solidify plans for our reunion.  We are so excited because Scarecrow will hike into Monarch Pass, and be transported to the Denver area, and fly out to Washington to see us on the 4th.  That is just under a week from now - we all cannot wait.  Scarecrow will enjoy some much needed family time with our family trail angels, the Christman Family, and be back out on the trail within a week.  Hopefully, he will be rejuvenated, full, rested, and ready to attack the rest of the CDT.

I want to give a quick shout out to the creator/programmer of the trackleaders.com program Scarecrow is using to check in -  Teddy told me he met you while in Twin Lakes.  Thank you for all you have done to allow families to follow along while their loved ones are hiking.  The real version of this shout out is: thank you for allowing me keep track of my husband and make sure he is not really in the Bahamas sipping Coronas with his buddies.  All joking aside, it is amazing that our supportive family and friends can click on a link such as where is Scarecrow? and be able to see his progress and follow along.  It is so appreciated and I am grateful for all of your hard work.

Scarecrow also wanted me to again, thank each and every one of you who have shown and spoken their support in such an amazing endeavor that he is undertaking.  I share with him all of your messages, posts, phone calls, and actions which mean so much to our family.  We are truly blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful family and friends who are so supportive of Scarecrow's dream of becoming a Triple Crown Hiker, as well as his family as we root for his success across the finish line.  THANK YOU - THANK YOU - THANK YOU.

taken by Scarecrow

Until Next Time,
The Thruhiker's Wife

Trail Magic for Everyone

via The Real Hiking Viking, a.k.a. Jabba

I have to begin with thanking Jabba for this picture.  As you hike and receive trail magic along the way, your postings are like trail magic for Scarecrow's family.  So now for an update on this not-so-easy-to-follow part of the trail.

Scarecrow and friends have taken some more trail magic from Theresa Martinez from the CDTC and traveled back down to Cumbres Pass, where they stepped off the trail because of excessive snow.  They got back on the trail Sunday, and will hike northbound again to Pagosa Springs and beyond, which will "reconnect" their steps along the trail and fill in the section they had to skip.  Of course I asked, what were the snow conditions going to be like, only 2 weeks later? He explained, when they attempted it prior, there was fresh, deep snow 18+ feet deep.

via The Real Hiking Viking

Now, some has melted and it is packed down, so they will hike on top of the snow now.  The hikers are still sporting snow shoes, spikes and their ice axes, but at least they will complete it now.  As you can see in the picture on the right, Jabba is standing next to the depths of snow they will now be walking ON instead of IN. They are headed into the San Juan Mountains and thanks again to Jabba, here is a picture of what they will conquer.

via The Real Hiking Viking

We got to speak to Ted over the weekend for Father's Day and was able to share with him the trail magic sent his way by some of his loved ones.  Tracey, my real life twin gave Scarecrow a donation that helped to totally hooked him up with the unexpected traveling up to Wyoming for the flip flop.

It came at the perfect time and is much appreciated.
You continually give me so much love, support, guidance and friendship for which I am truly blessed. We have conversations all the time about the "nontraditional life" my family leads ~ I want you to always know that I value your opinion, welcome your advice, appreciate your support and am grateful for your love.  THANK YOU for the trail magic.

Some of you reading this blog entry may not know the next two trail angels, Mike and Tommy.  They have been cutting Ted's hair for years, and now take care of Jagger as well.  I am posting a link with their information before I continue - click HERE for an awesome haircut They ask every time we go in about Ted and his hike.  Well, this weekend, they presented me with a generous donation towards Scarecrow's journey.

Mike & Tommy from the Barbershop

Thankfully, Ted was in a town with a phone signal and was able to talk to and thank both of them for their continued support.  This too, came at a perfect time for resupply before going into the mountains. Although Ted and I planned for this trip based only on our own means, we are so appreciative and grateful for EVERY LITTLE PIECE OF LOVE AND SUPPORT that has come our way.  This trail magic manifests itself in the form of notes, calls, posts, pictures, donations of food, snacks and money to Scarecrow, time and assistance with life here while Ted is away... We both truly appreciate every single one of our trail angels during this amazing journey.  You are all a piece of Teddy's success.

Not many pictures were sent this time (as you can see I had to "borrow" from Jabba) but Scarecrow sent this one.  It was taken when they finished up the piece of trail in Wyoming before heading back down to Colorado.
And just an interesting piece of this story to share ~ the whole flip flop was a huge blessing in disguise, as the hikers agreed that if they were hiking in that piece of Wyoming as initially scheduled, there would have been NO WATER SUPPLY for them.  So, once again, we have seen and felt that everything happens for a reason and is unfolding EXACTLY how it is supposed to.  Hang in there, Scarecrow.  It has been 2 months already that you have been gone - you have met amazing hikers who are sharing this amazing journey with you and most importantly, you are safe and happy.  Happy Trails... we will see you in about 3 weeks.

Until next time,

The Thruhiker's Wife

Successful Southbound Section

So, after many conversations with his fellow thruhikers, Scarecrow and the Warrior hikers rented a car and drove up to Wyoming, and began hiking South from the Great Basin Divide.  This idea of flip flopping can be confusing for the followers of this journey, but basically Scarecrow has to hike different sections of the trail out of order to avoid the harshest weather conditions and revisit the exact spot where he stepped off to finish that section once passable.

There was not much to report on this section of the walk, other than these beautiful shots of the LONG trail that seems to go on forever.

They were heading towards a town called Rawlins, Wyoming.  A interesting little story about how it got its name can be found here.  The hike down to this town required some road walking along the way.  As you can see, these roads are not what we are used to. Thankfully, Teddy had a phone signal and was able to call home several times and share his experiences with us.  I am so thankful he still sounds healthy, happy and excited to be on the CDT.  He has said this trail experience has been so different, as this time he is hiking with other thruhikers ~ for this I am grateful.

One of the hikers, Jabba, is blogging his experience, and I love reading it as he shares stories about Scarecrow that did not necessarily make it into our phone conversation.  You can check out his blog HERE

While in Rawlins, Teddy mentioned the hikers visiting the Frontier Prison.  You can read all about this interesting attraction here.  So after stopping in to this tourist attraction the hikers are heading back out onto the trail, rested and ready for the miles ahead.

Thank you Scarecrow, as we are all enjoying the pictures you have sent of this beautiful scenery and your new hiker buddies.  My wish for all of you is plenty of trail magic, good weather, and Happy Trails...

 My happy, hiker trash hubby also wanted me to thank each and every one of you who have sent kind words, wishes, pictures, well wishes, and treats along the way.

He is on a wonderful journey and is grateful and appreciative for all who follow him as he accomplishes his goal and fulfills an amazing dream of becoming a Triple Crown hiker.

As he contacts me with where he is heading next along the CDT, I will keep all of you posted.  It is a bit more difficult to track on a map where he is going due to the flip flopping.
 I will continue to post a link to his whereabouts for those of you who are following.  Where is Scarecrow now?

Until next time,

The Thruhikers Wife

Pictures from Pagosa Springs...

Hot Springs Resort, Pagosa Springs, Coorado

Hot Springs Resort

A last minute signal allowed Scarecrow to send a picture of two of where the hikers stayed overnight before their trip to Theresa Martinez' home further North in Colorado.  It looks like a beautiful place, and they all seemed to catch a little R & R before they left.

I want to say another huge THANK YOU to Theresa Martinez, from the Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) who has been such a kind and generous trail angel to Scarecrow and the others.  Not only did she host them in her home overnight, but she is storing some of Scarecrow's winter items until they pass back through her town on their way back to the trail in Colorado.  Your love of the trail and helping the hikers' mission is amazing and I know from talking with Scarecrow, they appreciate it so much.

Click HERE a link to read about the CDTC and all of the amazing work that Theresa and others have done for the hikers on this trail.  If you are in excess of money and need a place to put some of it, or just want to donate to an amazing charity that has helped so many fulfill their dream on the CDT, you can go $$ here $$ and show your support.

Scarecrow has said he will be traveling up to the barren lands of Wyoming where there will probably not be a signal for about a week.  He is traveling up to a town called Wind River Range in Wyoming.  It is about 240 miles of barren waste land.  He is traveling with Jabba, NO2, Doc Rocket, Greyhound, Redneck and Col. Mustard.  He is hiking southbound beginning North of the Great Basin Divide.  Hopefully when I hear from him this weekend, he will have completed this section and has sent more pictures.
For Scarecrow's latest location, click here: where is Scarecrow now?
Until then,
The Thruhiker's Wife

Next Up? Flip Flops

photo credit: the Real Hiking Viking

Let me introduce you to Jabba - one of the Warrior Hikers who Scarecrow is traveling with.  I want to thank him for the pictures I "stole" from his Facebook page to share with Scarecrow's family and friends. I hope you don't mind, but there are several of your pictures in this post. You guys look great.
So, after the hikers returned to Chama because of the impassable trail conditions, they met up with amazing trail angels named Blake and Leslie Holleman.  A man named David Lopez, who is the Warrior Hike contact person put the hikers in contact with Blake, who is himself a 20 year Army Vet.  Thank you for your service, as well as your generosity and kindness towards all of the hikers, which include my husband who you know as Scarecrow. He has said you both are wonderful, generous people who have been instrumental in helping these hikers move along to plan B - flip flopping up the trail to Wyoming where the conditions are less treacherous at the moment.  If I understand correctly, Blake and Leslie live in Pagosa Springs, which is where the hikers were supposed to walk to, but because of too much snow, they had met up with Paul, who kindly gave his time and generosity while the hikers were in Cumbres Pass, and then drove them to Pagosa Springs.

I am thinking this is the ride from Paul to Pagosa Springs ?

THANK YOU again, Paul, for your kindness and trail magic. While in Pagosa Springs, the hikers had to recalculate their route and plan of attack.  They stayed with Blake and Leslie, and I am sure Scarecrow was ECSTATIC because it was here that he got to enjoy the Rangers hockey game when they won the Eastern Conference Trophy.

The hikers stayed with these trail angels for a day or two, I think, and then headed to the Pagosa Hot Springs Resort for one more day of rest before traveling North to begin a new leg of their journey.

As I mentioned earlier in a post, the maps Scarecrow is using, lists alternate plans for hikers when weather is stopping them from continuing on their route.  The hikers decided to take one particular route that would involve them driving up to Wyoming and hiking Southbound to another point on the trail. Eventually, they will return to where they exited the trail and hike that part at a later date, when some of the snow has melted. As of Sunday evening, the hikers were renting a car and driving to a town further up North in Colorado to Theresa Martinez' home.  If you recall, she was introduced to you back in my post titled, "Hiker Friends".  She is heavily involved with the CDTC (Continental Divide Trail Coalition) and has been very helpful in keeping these thruhikers on track.  From Theresa's house, which I got word they arrived safely to this evening, they will depart tomorrow morning and drive 6+ hours up to Wyoming and pick up the trail first thing Tuesday morning.

via google images

So, although flip flops are the furthest thing from Scarecrow's foot gear, there will be a lot of flip flopping along this trail to complete it, due to the weather conditions.  Scarecrow has promised to send more pictures once he arrives in Wyoming.  In the mean time, I am going to post several that I took from Jabba - you can check out his story HERE - I follow this blog now, as it gives me updates on Teddy even when he cannot call home.  Huge score for me!! Thank you Jabba.

photo credit: the Real Hiking Viking

photo credit: the Real Hiking Viking

photo credit: the Real Hiking Viking

photo credit: the Real Hiking Viking

I love these pics of you Scarecrow - it looks like you are traveling through some beautiful parts of this country.  I hope you are taking a lot of pictures.  Most importantly, you look safe and happy. I want leave you with this quote I found - it is exactly what we were talking about on the phone this evening :)

 Until next time,
The Thruhiker's Wife

Snakes, Steam Engines, and SNOW!

Shake, Rattle and get the heck away from here!

As Scarecrow and his Warrior Hiker friends left Chama, New Mexico they knew they were headed into some pretty wicked weather.  They knew it would be cold and snowy, but they did not anticipate what was to come for them ahead.  They were able to find a nice campsite under some Aspen trees before continuing on into what eventually became impassible terrain.

Scarecrow was very excited about seeing the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad - click here to read about it.

I couldn't wait to ask Teddy if he got to ride this tourist train - it was something he was looking forward to.  After speaking with him, he said it did not work out at the time they were in Chama, but their new plan of hiking may allow him to revisit the opportunity at a later time.   I do know that as Scarecrow heads further North, towards the San Juan Mountains, he and the Warrior Hikers are creating a plan to tackle the upcoming harsh weather.  This must be a picture of one of their meetings... Hey guys, it doesn't look too snowy yet.

 

Jabba, NO2, Paul, Greyhound, & Scarecrow

Scarecrow was very excited to enter into Colorado.  Not only is that about 770 miles of the trail hiked, but he is moving closer to some of the areas he was most looking forward to, such as Grays Peak, located in the Southern Rocky Mountains, which is the highest summit on the CDT, reaching over 14,000 feet.  The trail running through Colorado is well marked in most areas, according to Wikipedia,  and spans some 650 miles.  However, there are some stretches of the Divide that have no distinct marked or named trail, but Scarecrow is using Jonathan Ley maps to help him navigate.

Finally in Colorado!

As the hikers hiked on from Cumbres Pass, the conditions were terrible.  Two of this hiker friends exited the trail 10 miles North of the pass, but Scarecrow and NO2 hiked onward.  They walked through a forest field, post holing in 12+ feet of snow, moving as slow as 1 mile per hour.  It was extremely frustrating and exhausting to say the least.

The next few pictures will show just how deep they were in with these ridiculous conditions.  The selfie to the right looks as if there is almost no snow on the ground and no snow near the base of the trees.  Well, Scarecrow explained, that is bark and needles that have fallen from the trees, resting on the top of the snow covering.  I couldn't get the full idea until I saw the picture of what he was actually walking through.

It still did not look too bad, because the picture really looks as if Teddy was just crouching, until you see his walking stick in his hand.  It began to set in that the snow was actually upwards of 15+ feet, and they were trying to step through this mess, never truly touching the ground, but however deep their legs would sink in. Teddy explained, his leg would step down deep into the snow, with snow shoes and all, he would step forward, try and pull his other leg out of the depths, and move forward.  Exhaustion and frustration set in for both of these guys so they decided to turn around and went back to Cumbres Pass.

Once they returned to Cumbres Pass, the received a ride from a trail angel named Paul, back to Chama where they would stay overnight.  I am sure Scarecrow slept like a rock that night.  The next morning, the hikers went to breakfast with their trail angel Paul and then attended his Rotary Club meeting with him. A huge shout out goes to the Chama Rotary Club, as they treated the hikers to a great lunch.  Scarecrow asked for me to recognize how generous and helpful Paul was while the hikers were in Chama - a true trail angel you are, providing transportation and assistance where needed.  THANK YOU. 

Scarecrow explained that when they were traveling along at the lower elevations, they would see a grassy field, like in the picture, but once they went along the trail up into the mountains, the depths of the snow were unbelievable.  The trees in the next picture are about 40-50 feet high, but it does not look that way from here.

If you notice, in the exact middle of the picture there is a "stick" jutting out of the middle of the snowy field.  Do you know what that stick really is??  Scarecrow explained it is a 4x4 post that is 5 feet high showing hikers where the trail is.  Maybe that will give you an idea how crazy it was for them hiking through that, and why they decided to turn around.  Although their plans of hiking North were about to be redirected, the hikers are still in good spirits.  Scarecrow's new hiking plans will be in the next post.  Loving your "sunset selfie", Scarecrow :)

Until next time,

The Thruhiker's Wife