Day 01

Day 1 - Dropped off about 1 by my mom and two of my cousins. Incredibly hot, no shade whatsoever along the road, incredibly tired (worked the night before). Start hiking about 1:10. Pack weighs a ton, carrying three weeks of stuff. 20 minutes later I meet a guy named Tyler who has buried his VW van in about 3+ feet of sand. He's waiting for someone to come along and pull him out. I continue, come to the turnoff, go up 2 hills (which just about kill me) and come to the top of the Lower Sand Slide. A little shade from some shrubs - eat a power bar. Down to the river. Cross the river, shuttle all my crap across through the mud and tamarisks. Exhausted. Finally make it to Buck Canyon about 5. Get water from the river (silty, but tastes fine). Wander around a bit, looking for cleaner water - no luck. Cave nearby with floor mostly washed away. What remains is covered in charcoal, bone fragments, and chippings. Also 1 broken mano and a stalk to a gourd. Buck Canyon very overgrown. Back to camp - set up - so tired I fall asleep pumping water. Bed at 9. Hot, hot day. Heat + weight of pack + tiredness (up about 26 hours) = One of the longest days of my life!