Wednesday, March 14 (Heidi)

Miles: 8.1
Starting elevation 5908
Camp Elevation 8564

Wednesday morning arrives bright and early... Well, early because we leave our hotel parking lot in Sierra Vista in the dark at 0445. We arrive at the Coronado National Monument parking lot just as the promise of dawn is beginning to lighten the eastern horizon.

A quick breakfast of orange and cranberry muffins and a banana, with lots of water to begin hydrating, and there's enough light to begin the 1.8 mile descent to the Mexican border for the official start of The Hike. Mckenna carries her pack, but I elect to "slack pack" since we have to turn around and come back to the parking lot. I know it's going to be a hard day, so I'm not going to make it any tougher on myself.

And then, with very little fanfare, it begins. Once we get to the 7500 foot elevation, I have no energy. I'm hiking through jello. Or my legs ARE Jello. We take lots of breaks, McKenna has me lead and set the pace.

We enjoy a tuna sandwich at about mile 5. By the time we get to Bathtub Springs, almost at the top of Miller Peak, the wind is terrible. Hard and cold. We had planned to try and go further, but are afraid the wind will be even worse further up. Plus, I'm wiped out, so we set up camp and have spaghetti for dinner. I'm too tired too eat, but try to force myself. Food is fuel.

The wind is horrible all night, with every gust feeling like it's going to blow our little tent off the  mountain. And then the helicopter with spotlights lights up our tent around 10:30, and we have no idea what's going on. At 2:00 it starts raining and its in the mid 30's. We stay warm and dry all night, but get no sleep.