CDT Thru Hike Ep 6: Grants to Cuba - "Mountains & Mesas"

[@bearanoia673]

I appreciate the way you captured more scenery on the CDT than other thru hikers. The desert is a special part of this country's wilderness areas & some people don't appreciate it much.

[@SeekingLost]

I love the desert! There is great beauty in desolation

[@ewmetzler]

Thank you so much. This is really helpful. I’ll be walking Pie Town to Cuba in April of next year. You helped me figure my route and I’m grateful. Canyon (almost 70!)

[@shaesmith9460]

I love your approach to the trail man. Cool to see you just enjoying the whole process and not worrying about rushing miles. Good on you man

[@SeekingLost]

Totally... gotta stop and enjoy things once in a while, otherwise, why come out here at all? There is a lot of pressure to cover miles on a thru hike but at the same time, there's a lot of boring sections where you can make up the time. I will say though, towards the end, it was just a mad rush to make it to Canada before winter!

[@shaesmith9460]

Seeking Lost such a great adventure man! I’ve been curious about how much of this was road walking

[@onkelsort5381]

Loving your journey and thorough documentation of the trail btw. I started getting an interest a few years back, this is really helpful.

[@bigbranch1]

Watching every step of the way....love your attention to the terrain.....

[@SeekingLost]

Thanks Allen! What can I say, I love the landscapes! Besides the Gila, this was one of my favorite sections in New Mexico

[@susannenerad9851]

love your videos of the CDT so far, great scenic shots, & definitely hats off to you for taking on this adventure (even though it's a few years old) truly admire your devotion

[@mikeb7117]

I guess I won't be staying at the Sands Motel...

[@SeekingLost]

Good, I hope nobody does, ever again! haha

[@corcoke]

@@SeekingLost I stayed in the Sands Motel once, in about 1987. The place wasn't much better then. It was super cold the next morning, like -14F, and my '67 Cuda wouldn't start. Guy from the garage up the road tried jumping it, but it flooded and so after he left I ended up pulling all the plugs and drying them out, which finally got it started. So actually, The Sands wasn't the worst part of my staying at The Sands.

[@nobodyhikes]

Interesting that aggressive dogs seem to be common in the NM portion. Glad they didn't attack. It's pretty savage for the motel to turn away a resupply for a customer. Thank you for showing the mental struggles as well.

[@SeekingLost]

Did you hear about others having problems with dogs? I heard other hikers having issues in this same area, coming out of Zuni Canyon about 1-2 miles before I40 in Grants, but didn't hear about it anywhere else. And damn that Sand Motel eh? Unbelievable!

[@nobodyhikes]

@@SeekingLost I've been reading and hearing about it on some KZbin channels. I recall Sie So even getting bitten on his 2017 sobo

[@SeekingLost]

Oh wow! That's kinda crazy it's that big a thing, especially that it's recurring in Grants. That was a sleazy area though, the walk into Grants from Zuni canyon. Everyone's backyard was also a makeshift animal pen.

[@JMS407]

Almost need to carry some bear spray for the dogs.

[@gpk7683]

Man, you show the CDT like no one before you. Thanks for taking your time to film so much including the enjoyable commentary. Watching you helps me keep my sanity in these troubling times. Probably TMI.

[@SeekingLost]

Everyone goes through tough times. Sorry to hear that's where you're at right now, and I'm glad these videos provide a little relief, even if only momentarily. It's been great sharing them with everyone and hearing your feedback. I really appreciate that!

[@Perrier_Hikes]

“The constant sound of wind, it just raises anxiety” 😂

[@mountainsaunter2061]

So glad that I decided to join you on your journey...the landscape is unbelievably beauty-full...and that sky...out of this world...Looking forward to the rest of the Trek.

[@SeekingLost]

I know right... such an amazing landscape, I was so surprised! This was my 2nd favorite section in New Mexico, behind the Gila. Hope you enjoy the rest, the best of the trail is still to come!

[@mountainsaunter2061]

Seeking Lost ...yeah, I am watching one vid a day and am also sharing on my Facebook page..hope you don’t mind..its really to beauty-full not to...onward!

[@SeekingLost]

Thanks, I appreciate the shares!

[@BeeGeeHikes]

A completely different view of the CDT, so beautiful! Thank you!

[@russellhughes6682]

Best CDT videos yet, even better than you know who.Just saying!

[@Twobarpsi]

Great work climbing Mt Taylor!

[@Twobarpsi]

Epic 👍🍺

[@FlyCheeseFry]

I am now re-watching your series of CDT videos for the second time (I watched them earlier this year when you were posting them). The scenery is epic here. It makes me at least want to do some section hiking in this area. I now live hundreds of miles closer to this region than I did when I first watched your series (west Texas), so even more possible now.

[@SeekingLost]

Welcome back :) Yeah you know, this section surprised just about everyone I spoke with. I think we all heard it was nice but it was beyond my expectations. Judging by the patchy land ownership in the area on the map, I never would have guessed it to be so scenic, but it was one of two highlights of NM for me, the other being the Gila Middle Fork. This would be a great section hike, I say go for it! Otherwise, you always have Big Bend in your backyard now...

[@7951Aries]

Started watching your videos over the weekend. Epic!! The views in this episode are my fav next to the Gelia River area. Thanks so much for sharing!

[@SeekingLost]

Thanks Anita! I didn't hear people talking much about it before the hike, so this area was a total surprise to me. A very good surprise! But I for New Mexico I think the Gila was my fav. I can't wait to get back there and explore all the remote side canyons and find all the hidden gems. Someday! Thanks for watching :)

[@Twobarpsi]

That's some good guitar playing there, at the end of the video 🤘!!

[@stevetabor2605]

Great desert! An inspiration to go. I'm 70 and can't do elevation or strong uphills anymore, but that desert looks so fine. The Gatorade bottle at 29:44 looks familiar. My last job was in the PG packing plant in Oakland.

[@SeekingLost]

Gatorade makes a fine bottle, I thank you sir! This was a surprisingly beautiful area, a good example of why I like the desert. It's worth checking out if you can.

[@petesthousandpeaksptp1232]

Thanks for the share! In 2014, I was making drives over the CD passes, and I never knew what nice scenery. Great!

[@SeekingLost]

Cool, glad to share it with you! I remember crossing the divide a bunch of times too back in 2012-2015 era, when I first started thinking about the CDT. I'd see the signs and dream about doing the hike :)

[@thuggoe]

amazing how easy this hiking looks compared to the nevada trail you did

[@SeekingLost]

No kidding! I looked back on the CDT and thought, wow, that was literally just walking. Even though the CDT was 3x longer, I still feel the BRT was bigger adventure. It was WILD!

[@wmbiisurgeon9087]

Really great views of the trail. I live in Grants; sorry you had trouble at that motel. Have been on the CDT the past three afternoons.

[@SeekingLost]

It's ok, I then had a really good experience next door at the Southwest Motel. The owner is super friendly and I highly recommend them to any future CDT hikers. Say hello to the CDT for me :)

[@FreedivejeepHD]

Hey Famous! I wanted to tell you that I'm just enjoying the heck out of your videos. Well done. I know how much work it takes to film while you hike, and the editing that comes later. Superb work my friend! -Tripod (aka Ryan).

[@SeekingLost]

Thanks Tripod! I almost spent as much time editing as I did hiking lol. But, that gave me something to do in the long northern Michigan winter this year :)

[@ManzanoMan_Adventures]

So much to comment on... But I live in New Mexico and the winds are terrible from about March up to June. As March approaches I am already dreading the windy season. Another great video!

[@SeekingLost]

When i first arrived in Lordsburg, it was super windy. The locals said this was normal for that time of year. I just thought they meant the bootheel, not the whole state!

[@ManzanoMan_Adventures]

Seeking Lost The winds of New Mexico are from corner to corner. But the year you came through on the CDT was probably the windiest year we have had in a while. I think the drought had something to do with it. I look forward to following along! Happy trails!

[@ricktalley4835]

Mt Taylor was nice amazing over 11k feet

[@SeekingLost]

It was awesome being up there at sunset too! Being on a summit at sunset, doesn't happen often :)

[@fannypack96]

Famous, what did u use to video? Enjoying ur hike.

[@SeekingLost]

Hi, I used a Osprey Exos 58 on this hike. I liked the pack in the beginning, but hated it by the end! Thanks for watching!

[@onkelsort5381]

Btw; I have hiked quiet a bit myself the last 3-4 years, however, I have a fear of heights that can be crippling at times. If you don´t mind; Is the trail doable without too much exposure? I don´t mind doing a few detours, but is the trail (as marked on a "official" map) just riddled with drop offs and intimidating traverses, or would you say it´s doable for someone not digging exposure to heights? :/ Would LOVE a heads up and honest answer! :) (Which parts do you think are the worst, etc?) Thanks again for your awesome documentary! Thumbs up.

[@SeekingLost]

Hey thanks for watching! Totally doable without any major exposure. There are a couple places in the San Juans where you would be traversing steep slopes. These could be tricky with a lot of snow. 2018 was a low snow year so I didn't have to deal with as much snow as other hikers did in previous years. But none of these situations involve sheer cliffs, just steeply angled slopes. Most of the times you encounter sheer drop offs, you aren't forced to walking along the edges or anything. I personally didn't think the exposure was that bad, but some hikers have mentioned the ridge between Mt Edwards and Grays peak. I haven't hiked the standard CDT route through the Winds, but I doubt it has any serious exposure. There was some exposure along the high route I did in the Winds. But really, no imposing sheer cliffs. There was one spot in the south san juans, near Montezuma Peak I believe, where we donned our microspikes. The slope looked steep in person but doesn't look bad form the map, now that I look at it. There is another spot in the San Juans, in the Weminuche Wilderness called the knife edge. With snow it looks tricky, but it was no biggie when all melted out. No sheer cliffs or anything, just steeply angled slopes. Honestly I am struggling to think of any time on the CDT where there was any real exposure. I say go for it!!

[@onkelsort5381]

@@SeekingLost Thank you so much for really valuable info bud!! I really appreciate you taking the time to give me some needed enlightenment and peace of mind. I will look into the parts you´re mentioning, maybe get some plan B´s here and there. :) Thanks again!!

[@ambulowan]

Did you have any problems with the elevation? In what ways did you notice the elevation? At what elevation did you live before going on the PCT

[@SeekingLost]

I live at about 1000 feet, And had no issues with the elevation on the CDT. You start around 4500 feet in the South, and by the time you hit the higher elevation stuff in Northern New Mexico, it's such a gradual climb to get up there that I haven't heard of many hikers having an issue, in terms of becoming sick. Of course, at higher elevations in Colorado, it's harder to breathe, and for me i start to feel it above 13k.

[@dx5018]

I think it's inspiring 😅

[@rickblevensjr8998]

I've been enjoying your videos! No rattlesnakes?

[@SeekingLost]

Thanks Rick! Actually no, I didn't see a single rattler the entire trail! I did see a gopher snake (rattlesnake lookalike)in between Lordsburg and Silver city, but that's pretty much it for snakes. I was pretty surprised, thought I'd see more!

[@ewmetzler]

What time of year did you walk this? I’m guessing spring. I live in the western mtns of NM and spring is very windy. Canyon

[@joshuaespinosa4902]

In one of your earlier videos you said you didn’t know about Guthook till you had already started the trail. What had you been using prior to that? The Ley maps?

[@SeekingLost]

Ah yes. I used neither Ley or Bear Creek maps. So before the CDT I found a GPX file of the CDT and the alternates. I imported this into Caltopo and did all my mapping there. I created the route I wanted to hike and exported that to a GPX that I used in my Garmin Oregon GPS for navigation. This was my primary nav method. Secondary was printed versions of the caltopo map I created. Guthook became my primary nav method over time, and the Garmin GPS was secondary (as well as tracked my entire hike). I think I gave up on the paper maps around Ghost ranch.

[@joshuaespinosa4902]

@@SeekingLost Very neat! I'm planning on carrying the Ley maps while using Guthooks too so we'll see how that goes!

[@jbstuff]

Where are you from in MI?

[@SpaceCaptnFace]

HA! left Monroe michigan for colorado two decades ago. i mean, the military brought me here but I only go back to the dirty mitten for funerals

[@SeekingLost]

Ha, you can relate then! I built out a camper van this year, spending my first winter in Arizona(region) this year. Good riddance!

[@stevetabor2605]

Not a "hare" (jackrabbit), but a bunny rabbit. Has shorter ears and a white fluffy tail.

[@Opx958r]

You have a nice voice.

[@helloworld-gu8uq]

What if the coyotes gang up on you?..

[@SeekingLost]

Naw that's not something to be afraid of. Coyote attacks are extremely rare, they're pretty small and don't see humans as prey. Even wolves really, although packs could take down a human you rarely hear of it.