Oh, Hypothermia? No, Thank You.

I'm sitting in a rented cabin at Mormon Lake, just wishing I could get warm. The heaters are on full, though these baseboard warmers are a joke; I took a hot shower which drained the water heater too quickly; and I even have the stovetop burners on, yet I'm back in all my clothes and jacket, and I can't get warm. It's like my body forgot how to accomplish that.

I've been in intense wind and freezing temperatures forever, I swear. Night after night, day after day, whipping, icy punishment.

This morning, after listening to a very boisterous pack of coyotes all night, 200 yards from my site, I was determined to wait until the sun hit my sleeping bag before I moved.
(Nails = Canine)

(No nails = Feline)

(Last night when I was just settling in.)

Then came the snow. The blustery type that blows upward and smacks you in the face.

Thankfully, I sleep in all my clothes (except my day socks and bra), so I jumped out of my semi-warm haven, shoved everything as quickly as possible into my pack, and got moving. When you're facing the true possibility of hypothermia or frostbite, prevention becomes an art. Can't move too fast or you sweat, and dampness is not good. Can't stop to have your morning business, because geez, on the trail, that's a hit or miss anyway. And can't stop to grab any sustenance because, dang it, the food bag got thrown in first! And by the time you dig for it, fingers will be too frozen to put everything back, despite gloves.

Anyway, I just moved. And truly hated it. Painful. Getting blown off the trail. And slowly shutting down. I've lost some weight, and my body is having a harder time with temperature regulation. Plus the exhaustion and interrupted sleep. If not from animals, then from excruciating pain in my legs. Growing pains, right?? 😝

At one point, the trail crosses Lake Mary Road, and instead of continuing on, I turned north on the road, and stuck my thumb out every time a vehicle came by. I still walked another two miles before a lovely older couple, heading to Flagstaff for some shopping picked me up. I was very grateful. I asked them to take me to Mormon Lake, which was my planned stop for the day, and they graciously obliged. I got a cabin, and tried to start thawing out. I can still hear the wind whistling through the pines outside, and although I missed about 6 miles of trail, I forgive myself and will eat this salad I just got from the steakhouse, lol!

It's very tempting on days like this to call it quits. It's expensive, when I'd planned to just camp here. I have never been so exhausted or mind numb than I am now, and I still run the risk of getting myself into trouble. Hopefully, after 534 miles, though, I have some decent problem solving skills up my sleeve. And if there's anything I can teach my daughters right now, it's perseverance, especially when times are tough. Sometimes the road ahead is obvious and easy.

Sometimes it's not, and it requires strength of mind and character to figure it out. That's what I've done today, and I hope everyone else will forgive those 6 miles, too! 😂

So, onward tomorrow. Horse Lake, then Flagstaff for my resupply. Only two and a half more weeks to go! Should be warmer and drier, something I never thought I'd wish for on the Arizona Trail!

Thank you for all your kind words and thoughts in my direction. I can hear them all! And especially thank you to my partner who now plays a background role, but a vital one nonetheless. And, no, Mom, not the resupply shipping, though that is handy! I mean the support and love from afar. Thank you. 💜