Quite a mile stone for us is this – First naturally running surface water since the Mexican boarder! Although I wouldn’t say running, more of a slow drip really.

We’ve just arrived at Silver City. Had to hike 10 miles down a tarmac road to get here though… My feet are killing! Met a trail angel (through Gottogo) called Jim who gave us a ride out of town to a hotel, as the old Palace Hotel in the centre of town was full. Been busy buying food and supplies this afternoon, we’re just about to head out for a big steak now though :)

Idon’t think my feet have ever been so broken on any other walk I’ve ever been on… Don’t know wether it’s the lack of soft grassy surfaces, the heat, or the shoes I bought online without trying on! But I’ve got some new insoles from Hike & Bike in town, hopefully their going to relieve some of the pounding.

We realised last night that the only thing we’ve eaten and are probably likely to eat in restaurants along the trail is the biggest steak on the menu follwed by an apple pie.

Above is the best we’ve had to date, a 16 ounce Porterhouse T-Bone, I’d give it a 7 out of 10. Was from the Big Red Barn Steakhouse in Silver City. Yum yum :) Most expensive meal we’ve had too though – $80 with tip.

More Steak & Apple pie revues to follow!

This is more like it and what we have been dreaming of for the last week. Gila National Forest as the name suggests is our first section of walking with shade from the sun. Much needed as were both looking a bit toasted! Shortly after Lordsburg and a brief encounter with a pack of guard dogs we finally hit singletrack trails that snaked there way through the mountains. Around every corner there was something new to feast our eyes on as we looked up towards the high mountains and over fantastic valleys.

This is where the good stuff starts and once we leave Silver City we start to hit interesting sections which require 40+ river crossings. Should be fun and I’m sure a few amusing post will follow – Paul.    

P retty piss easy half day walk out of Silver City by the time we’d sorted out posting our supplies in the morning.

Pretty tough route finding on this old section of the CDT, the official route goes further to the east over the black ranges, but Jim (a trail angel we met) recommend we go the old Gila river route. I loved this this day picking our way through forest and old burn areas. We left a lot more cairns than we found so hopefully the next people through won’t get lost as many times as we did!