Day 11: Cliff Dwellings & the River / CDT Thru-hike 2024

I intend to hike the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) in 2024 and will vlog my experience. Follow me under "Old Man and the CDT."
I am Mike Current, 61-years-old, and retired military. I served for over 30 years in the US Army.
After retirement, I opened two small businesses. But after a few years, I sold both businesses because they were taking time away from pursuing personal goals, like hiking and sailing.
I hiked the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in 2020 and Appalachian Trail (AT) in 2022. I vlogged (video journaled) my experiences under "Old Man and the PCT" and "Old Man and the AT", respectively.
I sailed around the Chesapeake Bay in my Tayana 37 sailboat over the summer of 2023 and vlogged the experience under the KZbin channel "Old Man and the Sea."
I do not monetize my videos in any manner. However, if you would like to contribute to helping veterans thru-hike as a form of therapy for PTSD, please consider donating to Warrior Expeditions at warriorexpeditions.org/

[@tonieiselt6274]

Beautiful walking today. Loved the fauna along the trail and the tall hoodoos at the canyon wall. Great day!!

[@JD03ish]

“Take me to the river. Drop me in the water.” Excellent scenery. Thank you, sir.

[@wildeone1636]

Thanks for crossing the river twice so we could see you that river like a bawse 😀

[@howellbrandenburg1522]

Thanks for sharing this journey Energizer! I found it yesterday, caught up and now I’ll enjoy your videos from my elliptical every morning. 😅

[@jhayft0703]

Awesome day!!!

[@moniqueahola3235]

Just wanted to say, you are an exceptional human being! Love your attitude

[@suecox8355]

As usual, great content. Thanks 🦋❤️

[@aok6989]

You are a person with much integrity. TY for not posting the youth. Many would have gone for the shot.

[@pauliedavis49]

What great photography by you! Some day indeed. A bit o slime too!?!?

[@TheHikingChick1]

Attitude is everything! I really enjoy how you chuckle at the little challenges that come your way. This section looks so amazing! I'm having full trail envy. I've been sidelined this season by another cancer recurrence, and so I'm virtually hiking by watching my fave KZbinrs. So, thank you for the daily pick-me-ups! I hope your wife gets a chance to come out and meet you somewhere on trail to deliver a resupply in person!🌻

[@oldmanandtheat3093]

I'm thinking of you. Positive thoughts sending your way.

[@TheHikingChick1]

@@oldmanandtheat3093 Thank you so much!

[@anitasimmons3599]

Thank you for another fantastic video. Gila Cliff dwellings are a special place. I have visited the a few times throughout my life and they are rapped by memories of late childhood, family, vacations, one with my late husband early in our marriage, BK... Absolutely beautiful country. By the way most people don't know what a slide rule is, much less how to use it... what a great adventure. Thank you again for taking us along.❤😊

[@oldmanandtheat3093]

Yea. I kinda dated myself with that comment.

[@clydevanwinkle7382]

Thank you! Cool 😎 Hike 🚶

[@garthwick19]

What a fantastic landscape to walk through. This has been great so far - thanks. PS Leech check after that still water section?

[@garylines5755]

You are in the best part NM enjoy it

[@johnl8738]

Hi Mike. Thanks for sharing the Cliff Dwellings, worth the side trail. The scenery along the way was beautiful, except the green water you had to walk through. All these other trails I hope Far Out can track where you are. I have no idea how you can navigate. And another great video of you crossing, but before that you crossed to set up the camera. That's dedication. Be Strong, Be Safe, and thanks for taking us on this Journey

[@oldmanandtheat3093]

Thank you for the kind words.

[@MissM007]

Great job at doing the knee high crossing twice to get the camera shot. Love following you and your many journeys. This travel to me is the least traveled of the 3 trails.😁

[@TheHikingChick1]

My first thought on the river crossing footage too!😁

[@herbtierney3462]

Thanks, great pics. Buen Camino! Peace, Herb

[@rikidozan553]

Rather a big beer canyon than a little bear canyon. 😇 (well, it is friday evening...cheers).

[@marthaee]

You’re old pal the Gila River! 😉☺️

[@SkepticalRaptor]

My father was a retired US Army officer. He was not as positive or optimistic as you. Until recently, I just thought all retired military officers were just jerks. Apparently, it was just my father. I really appreciate your enthusiasm and energy on this thru hike.

[@bgouker]

I worked with Mike for 5 years. He's one of the most positive individuals I've ever met. A great guy. I'm a retired military officer too - and not a jerk (according to my kids)

[@chrislonsberry1974]

Great video! The cliff dwellings and their history’s always fascinate me. You sure had plenty to look at that day. Great scenery!

[@galeclay8866]

A great video Mike! Beautiful scenery and the cliff dwellings are amazing can imagine seeing in person. Showing us how you are crossing the river tooooo. Safe travels onward ❤

[@judithpearson3968]

Great video, Mike. The cliff dwellings were awesome. Scenery was spectacular. Overall, am really enjoying this hike , especially down by the river. Take care. Stay safe. See you tomorrow.

[@andydickson5400]

The cliff dwellings are well worth the extra couple of miles. Great video...

[@jimhenderson387]

Those cliffs are so awesome!

[@gouddude]

The last two episodes scenery have been awesome. I have never been to that part of the US and the difference in climate and scenery in your first 100 miles is amazing. Has your altitude changed much? Trek on!

[@oldmanandtheat3093]

I getting into my rhythm of hiking now.

[@Philobeddoe12]

Did it bother you having wet feet all the time from having to constantly cross the river?

[@oldmanandtheat3093]

No. I used leukotape.

[@peterbrodeur1480]

Mike, what state are you presiding in right now? Good old poison ivy/oak, bad stuff! I've taken many an steroid injection because of not knowing what to look for. Bloody mess/itching before I saw the emergency doctors. Old Man in the Wheel Chair.

[@mikebellick6956]

New Mexico is the state

[@oldmanandtheat3093]

New Mexico. All good, Pete.

[@johnchen8888]

Do people going thru hiking bring weapons such as handguns for self defense?

[@M2Abi]

Some do but most do not due to the weight and not finding them necessary.

[@oldmanandtheat3093]

Not really. It's very safe on trail, and no one wants to carry unnecessary weight.

[@ridgepath]

“Slide rule”? You just dated yourself Energizer. :-)

[@oldmanandtheat3093]

Yea. You're right.