May 1st 2022

My Alarm went off ,I snoozed it well I couldn’t do the trail in daylight so would not  have a chance in the morning dark. I eventually let down my pad at 6am and was on trail by 6.30,My colleague  from  yesterday was just heading  out.

I headed out after him but he was fast so would probably see him later at the store. The good thing about him going ahead was I was able to see his water crossings and the direction  he took. As it was early I was dreading my first water crossing, luckily  it wasn’t that deep. The trail weaved in and out and back and forth across the Hila followed by several long stretches.

the morning was going well, I had 2 litres of filtered water that should get me to Doc Campbell’s  maybe by 9am  I think I had crossed the river about 20 times, so needed to stop to remove the gravel from my shoes,and there was the perfect  logo sit-down on. I removed my shoes and socks,shook out both then replaced them.
I was able to still  follow the other hiker, opps spoke too soon . Mystery trail time. (Although have since learnt their appears to be trails on both sides of the river.)
After the next crossing, all trails seem to merge and I’m on the “ONE” trail again  phew lol.
I had a small climb and wow what a view! The scenery on this section was just amazing. I stood here for several minutes  just gazing.

I pushed on and soon came to a large bridge. Guthooks got a bit confused , which way ?. Eventually I was heading in the right direction but Omg heat radiating from the road was insane .

As I passed the hotsprings I knew I wasn’t far away and yes in the distance was the store thank god!.
I’m here whoop omg omg
I can’t believe it, Sat outside on a bench was Rocks, Michelle, Hawkeye and Dr Tom.

I thought that they would be miles away , so I was a little overwhelmed. So great to see them all.
Sadly Michelle has had enough and is quitting which is sad. 
I went Inside grabbed a Gatorade and a tub of vanilla ice cream that they make it on site and oh my it was delicious. So good I had to get a second.

I went and retrieved my Resupply box , then sat outside trying to fit all the contents into my pack.
Mid morning we heard that a stage of a cycle race was coming through the town.
We were alerted by the sound of a police siren, shortly followed by the  support motorcycles ,then the leaders, a group of about 10 bikes came speeding through followed 5 minutes later the main group. This was followed by all the support cars and ambulance then lastly came the stragglers.
They did a loop by the Gila cave dwellings then came back through. Quite exciting to watch !.
Okay 1 more tub of ice cream.then it was across the road to the RV park to camp.

I followed  Ducky across., beneath a tree was shoes ,Chameleon  and Calvin all cowboy camping (there is a bet)
Just as I started putting up.my tent the end got up so I gave up until the wind died.
Once the tent was up i went and had a great shower, oh it was a great shower. 
Okay dinner, before leaving the store I bought Risotto and chicken backpackers Pantry. Its a freeze dried meal. Bloody tasty.

Okay bed 

Mileage 7