Matt called to check in about 4:30 p.m. saying he had made it to Hannagan Meadow. It was Bastille Day, and while Piepoli and Evans were tearing up the Hautacam, Matt was chugging up into the White Mountains at 4-5 miles per hour. He stopped at a campground to eat and take a nap, and considered staying there, but decided to push on to his day's goal of Hannagan Meadow.
While we were on the phone, he heard the first clap of thunder and decided he'd better go get his tent set up right away. Tomorrow he plans to head for an RV park he stayed at once before in Reserve, New Mexico.
UPDATE FROM MATT
Day 1 cont. 53 miles, 5:17, 10 mph AVG
In the forest again!
Well here I am at Hannagan Meadows again, and like always, it’s raining. Barely had time to set up the tent and then the skies opened up. Sitting here in front of the vault toilets. Luckily there’s a nice big overhanging roof to hide under. I’ve sponged off using rain water and had a snack of jerky and cheese.
It was a good first day on tour considering it couldn’t have been much harder. It was pretty much a 53 mile climb up to about 9000 ft. The first half was ok, second half very brutal at times. Feeling good though, new equipment seems to be treating me well. No hotspots on feet; hands not too numb.
Hopefully the rain will stop soon so I don’t have to cook dinner in front of the toilets. But I’m sure the red squirrels are happy with the rain!
BIRDS
Western Tanager - Hairy Woodpecker - American Robin - Red-tailed Hawk
Steller’s Jay - White Breasted Nuthatch - Solitary Vireo - Broad-tailed Hummer
Cordilleran Flycatcher
The climb is just beginning...
Check out the terrain on the map of his route today:
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