March 28 Things come and go so quickly out here. Train your eyes on a target and then it blurs by–turn around and the horizon has swallowed it. Where are the Henries? The La Sals? The arches and monuments of Arches and Canyonlands? Today I charged up the Burr Trail switchbacks and crossed the Waterpocket … More Hayduke Day 18

March 27 I could see the Henries dawning, softly, and I rolled back over. Maybe just a little more sleep… But no, my alarm is going off and it says, “Go see new things,” so I have to oblige. The small stream near my camp shut off quietly overnight, the snowmelt staved off for a … More Hayduke Day 17

March 16 March 26 A real struggle of a day. Of course, it started out promising with an easy hitchhike out of Hanksville from a baseball Cardinals fan whose also an aspiring PCT thru hiker. We had easy conversation the whole way back to trail. But apparently I wasn’t ready to get back to walking … More Hayduke Day 16

March 25 Why even walk at all if the destination is a town? It’ll be there all day, I think to myself, and maybe I should let the frost melt and dissolve into the sun before I set out. But wait! There are many sweet things in town, and wifi, and hot water! Who can … More Hayduke Day 15

March 24 In the night I was visited by a smattering of rain that for a wakeful moment I thought would turn torrential, but never did. Later a brief rockslide–or was it a dream? Finally, in the deep early morning, the lonely call of an owl echoing off the canyon walls. And silence, always silence … More Hayduke Day 14

March 23 Section 4, which begins at Hite (my campground for the night) is a quick one with less than 40 miles to cover until I reach highway 94 to hitch in to Hanksville. I start the day off by engaging in that dangerous Hayduke passtime–cutting corners to shave off miles of road walking. I … More Hayduke Day 13

March 22 A hitchhike in four parts. But first: Somehow I sleep for over 12 straight hours in my little bed behind the rocks. I must have felt safe and warm back there, knowing snow and wind couldn’t get me. Also, I was exhausted. As Madeleine and I walk to the nearest road I mention … More Hayduke Day 12

March 21 A little before midnight it began. First, a gust of wind and a few pellets of rain. But that proved to be the first course, as the storm intensified hour by hour. All night long the wind battered me and pushed my frail little tent so hard it nearly leaned sideways. Rain forced … More Hayduke Day 11

March 20 We hike through the heart of the Salt Creek Alternate in what was surely the best day of the Hayduke so far. The mornings seem to be getting colder and colder, but we’ve also been gaining elevation as we move away from Arches. The geography in south Salt Creek has a true valley … More Hayduke Day 10

March 19 Today was noteworthy because it’s the first time I’ve ever hiked all day with someone who isn’t related to me. One of the goals I’ve set for myself for the year is to make an effort to have positive meaningful interactions with other humans in a wilderness setting. Theres something about the wilderness … More Hayduke Day 9