{"id":10387,"date":"2023-04-11T14:33:59","date_gmt":"2023-04-11T21:33:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/?p=10387"},"modified":"2023-04-11T20:11:13","modified_gmt":"2023-04-12T03:11:13","slug":"report-1st-epic-210mi-anza-borrego-loop-failure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/report-1st-epic-210mi-anza-borrego-loop-failure\/","title":{"rendered":"REPORT: 1st Epic 210mi Anza-Borrego Loop Failure"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>On Sat, Mar 18, 2023, I made a 1<sup>st<\/sup> self-supported attempt of the <a href=\"https:\/\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/anza-borrego-loop\/\">210mi Anza-Borrego Loop<\/a>. A series of bad decisions led to an undesired outcome. Keep reading if you are interested to learn from my mistakes.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;<em>Good decisions come from experience. Experience comes from making bad decisions.<\/em>&#8221;<br \/>\n\u2014 Mark Twain<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div id=\"attachment_10421\" style=\"width: 1810px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-splash.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10421\" class=\"wp-image-10421 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-splash.png?resize=640%2C359&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"359\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-splash.png?w=1800&amp;ssl=1 1800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-splash.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-splash.png?resize=1024%2C575&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-splash.png?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-splash.png?resize=1536%2C863&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-splash.png?resize=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1 480w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-splash.png?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10421\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Epic fail.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3>The movie<\/h3>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/A4upXCu5LPs?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<h3>The route<\/h3>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/anza-borrego-loop\/\">210mi Anza-Borrego Loop<\/a> elegantly combines two established FKT routes, the <a href=\"https:\/\/fastestknowntime.com\/route\/santa-rosa-traverse-ca\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Santa Rosa Traverse<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/fastestknowntime.com\/route\/anza-borrego-traverse-ca\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Anza-Borrego Traverse<\/a>, a section of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pcta.org\/discover-the-trail\/geography\/southern-california\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)<\/a>, a section in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blm.gov\/programs\/national-conservation-lands\/california\/santa-rosa-and-san-jacinto-mountains-national-monument\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jacinto Mountains Monument<\/a>, and a traverse of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitcalifornia.com\/experience\/borrego-badlands-fonts-point\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Borrego Badlands<\/a> into one big, fabulous, irresistible, unforgettable 210mi loop. You will simply get to see the very best of the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Anza-Borrego_Desert_State_Park\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Anza-Borrego desert region<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>For more info, see <a href=\"https:\/\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/anza-borrego-loop\/\">210mi Anza-Borrego Loop<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_10187\" style=\"width: 2840px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/abl_overview.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10187\" class=\"wp-image-10187 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/abl_overview.png?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10187\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Anza-Borrego Loop: 210mi of joy with 47,000ft of elevation pain. For more info, see <a href=\"https:\/\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/anza-borrego-loop\/\">210mi Anza-Borrego Loop<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;<em>Paths are made by walking.<\/em>&#8221;<br \/>\n\u2014 Franz Kafka<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>I can safely say that this is not true. Not all paths can be made by walking.<\/p>\n<h3>Bad decision #1: Clothing not treated with Permethrin<\/h3>\n<p>The &#8220;desert&#8221; has ticks? Yes, I had forgotten how many ticks I got on my <a href=\"https:\/\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/report-unsupported-49mi-santa-rosa-traverse-fkt\/\">last Santa Rose traverse<\/a>. Thus, sadly, I failed to treat my shoes and clothes, with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/ticks\/avoid\/on_people.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Permethrin<\/a>. I ended up picking ticks off me all day and night.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_10450\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-42.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10450\" class=\"wp-image-10450 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-42.png?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-42.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-42.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-42.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-42.png?resize=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10450\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hello ticks!<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_10481\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-27.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10481\" class=\"wp-image-10481 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-27.png?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-27.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-27.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-27.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-27.png?resize=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10481\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hello rocks and cacti!<\/p><\/div>\n<h3>Bad decision #2: Additional waterproof gloves and socks ordered too late<\/h3>\n<p>I failed to order additional waterproof socks and gloves early enough. They arrived the day I left and were waiting in the mailbox until I got back.<\/p>\n<h3>Bad decision #3: Packed the wrong-sized shoes<\/h3>\n<p>During my packing frenzy, I grabbed a brand new pair of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brooksrunning.com\/en_us\/cascadia-16-mens-flexible-trail-running-shoe\/110376.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cascadia 16<\/a> shoes, which I intended to wear. Unfortunately, I did not realize that they were the wrong size = too small. Thankfully, I had also packed an alternative pair of shoes for more snowy conditions. However, they were a very beaten-up pair of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lasportivausa.com\/mutant.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mutants<\/a> that had already 500+ miles on them. No, they did not feel fresh.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_10430\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-16.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10430\" class=\"wp-image-10430 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-16.png?resize=640%2C480&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-16.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-16.png?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-16.png?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-16.png?resize=500%2C375&amp;ssl=1 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10430\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Not good.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_10452\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-49.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10452\" class=\"wp-image-10452 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-49.png?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-49.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-49.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-49.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-49.png?resize=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10452\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Somewhat fresh and new.<\/p><\/div>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;<em>Men in their late 50s often make very bad decisions.<\/em>&#8221;<br \/>\n\u2014 Paul Theroux<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3>Bad decision #4: Didn&#8217;t pack poncho<\/h3>\n<p>A poncho, combined with a rain jacket, is quite possibly the best way to stay dry and warm in torrential rain. I speak from experience. Sadly, I had decided to leave the poncho at home. Don&#8217;t ask me why. The atmospheric river was already in the forecast by then, so, clearly, I should have packed the poncho. I think I was more concerned about snow and less about rain.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_10432\" style=\"width: 844px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-3.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10432\" class=\"wp-image-10432 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-3.png?resize=640%2C470&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"470\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-3.png?w=834&amp;ssl=1 834w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-3.png?resize=300%2C220&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-3.png?resize=768%2C564&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10432\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Very organized packing chaos.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3>Bad decision #5: Didn&#8217;t buy poncho at local store<\/h3>\n<p>The local store had ponchos on display. However, I made the (regrettable) decision that they were too heavy and didn&#8217;t buy any. I really should have gotten one.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_10431\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-7.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10431\" class=\"wp-image-10431 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-7.png?resize=640%2C480&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-7.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-7.png?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-7.png?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-7.png?resize=500%2C375&amp;ssl=1 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10431\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lightweight is a lie. Nevertheless, I should just have bought one.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3>Bad decision #6: Didn&#8217;t load sufficient calories<\/h3>\n<p>It took me almost <a href=\"https:\/\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/report-unsupported-49mi-santa-rosa-traverse-fkt\/\">26h in 2022 to complete the 45mi-ish Santa Rose traverse<\/a>, which is an off-trail route for the most part that includes a lot of bushwhacking. When I loaded my pack the night before I started the Anza-Borrego Loop, I failed to add the extra calories I was supposed to buy in California (so I wouldn&#8217;t have to fly them out = overweight luggage). As a result, I had calories for about 12h only. But alas, it took me over 30h to get this first section done. The lack of sufficient calories (and water) led to a major slowdown.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_10433\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-4.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10433\" class=\"wp-image-10433 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-4.png?resize=640%2C854&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"854\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-4.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-4.png?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-4.png?resize=768%2C1025&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10433\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Shopping for calories and other essentials.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3>Bad decision #7: Started in the morning<\/h3>\n<p>I couldn&#8217;t decide on my start time until it was too late to start into the night. The original plan (according to my spreadsheet) was to start in the morning so I could get a good night of sleep. However, starting in the morning meant that I would have to do a difficult section with lots of bushwhacking at night. So, while I got a good night of sleep indeed, I paid a price by being very slow during the night.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_10455\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-25.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10455\" class=\"wp-image-10455 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-25.png?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-25.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-25.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-25.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-25.png?resize=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10455\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Not as romantic as it may look like.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_10454\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-30.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10454\" class=\"wp-image-10454 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-30.png?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-30.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-30.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-30.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-30.png?resize=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10454\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">This IS the route.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_10464\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-31.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10464\" class=\"wp-image-10464 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-31.png?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-31.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-31.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-31.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-31.png?resize=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10464\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dawn&#8217;s peak in the middle of the night. Finding the cairn is not quite obvious.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3>Bad decision #8: Ignoring severe weather warnings<\/h3>\n<p>The weather forecast for days 3-5 was devastating: high winds, <a href=\"https:\/\/research.noaa.gov\/article\/ArtMID\/587\/ArticleID\/2926\/Atmospheric-Rivers-What-are-they-and-how-does-NOAA-study-them\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">atmospheric rivers<\/a>, floods, and snow. I thought I would be fine as long as I was off the higher elevation peaks and passes. I was not. With the gear and shelter I had, I found it impossible to stay dry and warm. Twice I went into hypothermic episodes. Hypothermia kills, you really want to be careful in such situations.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_10453\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-weather.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10453\" class=\"wp-image-10453 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-weather.png?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-weather.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-weather.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-weather.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-weather.png?resize=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10453\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">High wind, flood, and winter weather advisory.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_10457\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-35.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10457\" class=\"wp-image-10457 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-35.png?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-35.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-35.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-35.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-35.png?resize=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10457\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lots of snow on the Santa Rosa traverse. It started to dump fresh snow when I reached Toro.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_10456\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-32.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10456\" class=\"wp-image-10456 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-32.png?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-32.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-32.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-32.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-32.png?resize=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10456\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Thankfully I had packed microspikes. The snow was iced-over and hard. I would not have made it without the microspikes.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3>Bad decision #9: Packed inappropriate shelter<\/h3>\n<p>I carried a tarp and a water-resistant bivy bag only. In strong winds, torrential rain, and misty fog, that is just not enough to stay dry.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_10465\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-5.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10465\" class=\"wp-image-10465 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-5.png?resize=640%2C480&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-5.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-5.png?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-5.png?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-5.png?resize=500%2C375&amp;ssl=1 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10465\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">One of many early PCT thru-hikers at the Paradise Valley Cafe (~ PCT mile 155).<\/p><\/div>\n<h3>Bad decision #10: Inappropriate shelter not appropriately set up<\/h3>\n<p>Not only did I have an inappropriate shelter for the weather, I also failed to use it. Instead, I slept under big boulders twice. That was fine while the wind and rain weren&#8217;t too strong yet, but once conditions got worse, everything was wet within minutes (and before I woke up).<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_10439\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-44.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10439\" class=\"wp-image-10439 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-44.png?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-44.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-44.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-44.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-44.png?resize=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10439\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Not the best shelter when the wind is howling and the rain is pouring. This really did not work out as planned.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3>Bad decision #11: Errors in GPS tracks<\/h3>\n<p>I did not properly check all GPS tracks that I had designed. It turned out that there were some significant mistakes and inaccuracies that led to major bushwhacking episodes.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_10437\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-struggles.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10437\" class=\"wp-image-10437 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-struggles.png?resize=640%2C359&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"359\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-struggles.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-struggles.png?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-struggles.png?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-struggles.png?resize=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10437\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Navigational struggles of various kinds. Think night, snow, rain, brush, no trail.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3>Bad decision #12: No topographical maps on GPS<\/h3>\n<p>I decided that I probably didn&#8217;t need topographical maps on my GPS. I was wrong. They would have been a huge help for the off-trail navigation\/orientation at night and for finding alternative routes when I got stuck in terrible bushwhacking.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_10435\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-15.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10435\" class=\"wp-image-10435 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-15.png?resize=640%2C480&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-15.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-15.png?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-15.png?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-15.png?resize=500%2C375&amp;ssl=1 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10435\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Power-hungry electronics.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3>Bad decision #13: Not enough recon<\/h3>\n<p>There were parts of the route that I didn&#8217;t recon properly beforehand. That was a mistake. There was some terrible bushwhacking where I thought I&#8217;d find a buttery trail. As a consequence, I ripped my rain pants into uncountable pieces. And that was only one reason why I couldn&#8217;t stay dry anymore after that (see bad decision #14).<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_10488\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/abl-41b.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10488\" class=\"wp-image-10488 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/abl-41b.png?resize=640%2C361&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"361\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/abl-41b.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/abl-41b.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/abl-41b.png?resize=768%2C433&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/abl-41b.png?resize=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10488\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">&#8220;No trail.&#8221; I can confirm that this is partly true. The trail is not maintained. In some sections, it felt like it never even existed.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_10436\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-46.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10436\" class=\"wp-image-10436 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-46.png?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-46.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-46.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-46.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-46.png?resize=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10436\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Shredded rain pants and hypothermia after a truly terrible bushwhacking section through brush that is almost impossible to get through. But I had no other choice. Going forward was still easier than going back.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3>Bad decision #14: Failed to stay dry<\/h3>\n<p>I carried a pretty significant collection of gloves, hats, socks, and other layers. Yet, when the rain really hit, I went through all of these items pretty quickly. Neither the supposedly waterproof rain jacket nor the waterproof overmitts lasted more than a few hours. And as said above, I had no rain pants anymore, only a rather skimpy rain skirt. What I really needed was a poncho. Duh!<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_10434\" style=\"width: 2059px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-poncho.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10434\" class=\"wp-image-10434 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-poncho.jpg?resize=640%2C480&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-poncho.jpg?w=2049&amp;ssl=1 2049w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-poncho.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-poncho.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-poncho.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-poncho.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-poncho.jpg?resize=500%2C375&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-poncho.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-poncho.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10434\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The poncho I didn&#8217;t pack. It did wonders on the Wonderland.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_10440\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-56.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10440\" class=\"wp-image-10440 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-56.png?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-56.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-56.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-56.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-56.png?resize=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10440\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Crossing many flash-flooded rivers where there is usually no water whatsoever.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_10441\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-57.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10441\" class=\"wp-image-10441 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-57.png?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-57.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-57.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-57.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-57.png?resize=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10441\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Wet to the bones.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3>Bad decision #15: Flawed spreadsheets<\/h3>\n<p>As always, I had very detailed spreadsheets to plan my pace, calories, and water needs. However, this time my predictions were unusually far off. At the end, I was a whopping 15h behind my predicted schedule.<\/p>\n<h3>Bad decision #16: Flawed nighttime planning<\/h3>\n<p>The spreadsheets also didn&#8217;t account for properly planning the nighttime. There are several sections that are quite challenging at night. Unfortunately, I had to do all of them at night because of my flawed planning and the bad decisions I made en route.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_10442\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-45.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10442\" class=\"wp-image-10442 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-45.png?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-45.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-45.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-45.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-45.png?resize=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10442\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Impossible nighttime bushwhacking.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3>Bad decision #17: Didn&#8217;t pack and eat enough calories<\/h3>\n<p>Because the weather was very windy, wet, and cold, it was not only hard to eat, but alas, I also had simply not packed enough calories in my resupplies. As a consequence, I worked myself into a deep calorie deficit over 3+ days. Once you are in it, it&#8217;s challenging to get out of it.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;<em>The whole point of life is learning to live with the consequences of the bad decision we&#8217;ve made.<\/em>&#8221;<br \/>\n\u2014 Sherrilyn Kenyon<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3>The end<\/h3>\n<p>The end was cold, wet, and ugly. The PCT was swept clean for the last 20 or so miles. I didn&#8217;t see a single tent or person. Apparently they all got the storm memo while I didn&#8217;t.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_10459\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-58.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10459\" class=\"wp-image-10459 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-58.png?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-58.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-58.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-58.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-58.png?resize=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10459\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">I barely made it to Warner Springs in the torrential rain, across flash-flooded rivers.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_10460\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-59.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10460\" class=\"wp-image-10460 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-59.png?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-59.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-59.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-59.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-59.png?resize=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10460\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">It came down pretty good.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_10477\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-60.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10477\" class=\"wp-image-10477 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-60.png?resize=640%2C448&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"448\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-60.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-60.png?resize=300%2C210&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-60.png?resize=768%2C538&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10477\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Trying to warm up in the &#8220;rescue vehicle.&#8221;<\/p><\/div>\n<p>To wrap things up, Borrego Springs got hit by an earthquake.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_10425\" style=\"width: 1028px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-24.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10425\" class=\"wp-image-10425 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-24.png?resize=640%2C570&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-24.png?w=1018&amp;ssl=1 1018w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-24.png?resize=300%2C267&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-24.png?resize=768%2C684&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10425\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">It was a pretty good shake.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3>Epilogue<\/h3>\n<p>I made it halfway (105mi) before I had to give up in Warner Springs in a hypothermic state, soaked to the bones, with no dry layers left.<\/p>\n<p>It rained, stormed, and snowed for two more days straight. There was no way I could have stayed warm and dried my gear while continuing, especially with the shelter situation I was in.<\/p>\n<p>It was really painful having to quit on the &#8220;easy&#8221; section, after having completed the impossible hard parts of the route. But such is life.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_10483\" style=\"width: 1806px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/hodler.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10483\" class=\"wp-image-10483 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/hodler.png?resize=640%2C304&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"304\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/hodler.png?w=1796&amp;ssl=1 1796w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/hodler.png?resize=300%2C143&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/hodler.png?resize=1024%2C487&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/hodler.png?resize=768%2C365&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/hodler.png?resize=1536%2C730&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/hodler.png?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10483\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">That says it all.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_10461\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-spot_tracking.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10461\" class=\"wp-image-10461 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-spot_tracking.png?resize=640%2C366&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"366\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-spot_tracking.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-spot_tracking.png?resize=300%2C171&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-spot_tracking.png?resize=768%2C439&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10461\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">I made it halfway (105mi) before I had to give up, hypothermic and soaked to the bones, with no dry layers.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_10443\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-11.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10443\" class=\"wp-image-10443 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-11.png?resize=640%2C480&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-11.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-11.png?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-11.png?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-11.png?resize=500%2C375&amp;ssl=1 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10443\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">It rained, and rained. Then some more.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_10448\" style=\"width: 1009px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-20.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10448\" class=\"wp-image-10448 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-20.png?resize=640%2C349&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"349\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-20.png?w=999&amp;ssl=1 999w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-20.png?resize=300%2C163&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-20.png?resize=768%2C418&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10448\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">It also snowed (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lakecuyamaca.net\/webcam\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lake Cuyamaca webcam<\/a>) down to about 4,000ft. Higher elevations got a foot and more of fresh snow.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_10444\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-12.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10444\" class=\"wp-image-10444 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-12.png?resize=640%2C480&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-12.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-12.png?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-12.png?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-12.png?resize=500%2C375&amp;ssl=1 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10444\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Attempting to refill the tank at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carleesplace.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Carlee&#8217;s<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_10445\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-13.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10445\" class=\"wp-image-10445 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-13.png?resize=640%2C480&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-13.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-13.png?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-13.png?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-13.png?resize=500%2C375&amp;ssl=1 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10445\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">More calories (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.carleesplace.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Carlee&#8217;s<\/a>).<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_10462\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-6.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10462\" class=\"wp-image-10462 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-6.png?resize=640%2C854&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"854\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-6.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-6.png?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-6.png?resize=768%2C1025&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10462\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Thanks honey for the support!<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_10446\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-14.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10446\" class=\"wp-image-10446 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-14.png?resize=640%2C480&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-14.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-14.png?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-14.png?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-14.png?resize=500%2C375&amp;ssl=1 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10446\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A drying marathon.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_10447\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-18.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10447\" class=\"wp-image-10447 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-18.png?resize=640%2C480&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-18.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-18.png?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-18.png?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/abl-18.png?resize=500%2C375&amp;ssl=1 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10447\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Slightly beaten up. Waiting for the remaining 3 toenails to come off.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On Sat, Mar 18, 2023, I made a 1st self-supported attempt of the 210mi Anza-Borrego Loop. A series of bad decisions led to an undesired outcome. Keep reading if you are interested to learn from my mistakes. &#8220;Good decisions come&hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/report-1st-epic-210mi-anza-borrego-loop-failure\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue Reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[4,78,409,610],"tags":[1066,1067,1068,157,83,295,699,16,67,127],"class_list":["post-10387","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-adventures","category-challenge","category-epic-shit","category-fkt","tag-anza-borrego","tag-bad","tag-decisions","tag-desert","tag-epic","tag-failure","tag-loop","tag-rain","tag-snow","tag-wet"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>REPORT: 1st Epic 210mi Anza-Borrego Loop Failure - Christof Teuscher<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/report-1st-epic-210mi-anza-borrego-loop-failure\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"REPORT: 1st Epic 210mi Anza-Borrego Loop Failure\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"On Sat, Mar 18, 2023, I made a 1st self-supported attempt of the 210mi Anza-Borrego Loop. 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Hopefully better prepared than the first time. Changes were made, but will 17 bad decisions be avoided? The 17 bad decisions from my first attempt that I'm trying to avoid this time. Changes were made, but surely, there will be new mistakes and bad decisions. Clothing not\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;adventures&quot;","block_context":{"text":"adventures","link":"https:\/\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/category\/adventures\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/abl2_hero.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/abl2_hero.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/abl2_hero.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/abl2_hero.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/abl2_hero.png?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/abl2_hero.png?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10598,"url":"https:\/\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/report-self-supported-210mi-anza-borrego-loop-fkt\/","url_meta":{"origin":10387,"position":1},"title":"REPORT: Self-supported 210mi Anza-Borrego Loop FKT","author":"Christof Teuscher","date":"May 10, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"In a nutshell After making 17 bad decisions (or probably more) during my 1st attempt, which led to an epic failure, I was finally able to complete the 210mi Anza-Borrego Loop self-supported in 5 days 14 hours 58 minutes (Apr 28 - May 4, 2023). I can't say it was\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;adventures&quot;","block_context":{"text":"adventures","link":"https:\/\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/category\/adventures\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/abl2-49.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/abl2-49.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/abl2-49.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/abl2-49.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/abl2-49.png?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/abl2-49.png?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10042,"url":"https:\/\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/report-unsupported-45mi-anza-borrego-traverse-fkt\/","url_meta":{"origin":10387,"position":2},"title":"REPORT: Unsupported 45mi Anza-Borrego Traverse FKT","author":"Christof Teuscher","date":"December 14, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary Dec 13, 2022, I managed to set a new unsupported FKT on the 45mi Anza-Borrego Traverse in 9:43:54. That's 3min faster than the current self-supported FKT (9h\u00a046m\u00a034s) and 13min slower than the supported FKT (9h\u00a030m\u00a018s). The route has no water, so I carried all my fluids and supplies. Winter\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;adventures&quot;","block_context":{"text":"adventures","link":"https:\/\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/category\/adventures\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/abt45.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/abt45.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/abt45.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/abt45.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/abt45.png?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12635,"url":"https:\/\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/news-155mi-san-diego-trans-county-trail-fkt-attempt\/","url_meta":{"origin":10387,"position":3},"title":"NEWS: 155mi San Diego Trans-County Trail FKT Attempt","author":"Christof Teuscher","date":"December 16, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"On Thursday, December 18, I'll start a self-supported FKT attempt on the 155mi San Diego Trans-County Trail (SDTCT). I figured one last adventure before the year ends would be fitting. Running from the sea (Pacific Ocean) to below sea level (Salton Sea) sounded like an easy downhill run. Turns out\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;adventures&quot;","block_context":{"text":"adventures","link":"https:\/\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/category\/adventures\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/sdtct_detour.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/sdtct_detour.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/sdtct_detour.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/sdtct_detour.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/sdtct_detour.png?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/sdtct_detour.png?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12663,"url":"https:\/\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/report-155mi-san-diego-trans-county-trail-fkt\/","url_meta":{"origin":10387,"position":4},"title":"REPORT: 155mi San Diego Trans-County Trail FKT","author":"Christof Teuscher","date":"December 23, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"In a nutshell I completed the 155mi San Diego Trans-County Trail (SDTCT) self-supported in 2 days, 23 hours, and 9 minutes. That was roughly 17 hours longer than my spreadsheet predicted. Clearly, I had not done my homework. I ended up pretty wrecked, mainly because I didn't carry sleeping gear\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;adventures&quot;","block_context":{"text":"adventures","link":"https:\/\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/category\/adventures\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/sdtct-45.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/sdtct-45.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/sdtct-45.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/sdtct-45.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8631,"url":"https:\/\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/news-1st-self-supported-300mi-monumental-loop-fkt-turkey-trot\/","url_meta":{"origin":10387,"position":5},"title":"NEWS: 1st Self-supported 300mi Monumental Loop FKT Turkey Trot","author":"Christof Teuscher","date":"November 21, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"On Tue, Nov 23, 2021, I plan to start for a 1st self-supported Fastest Known Time (FKT) attempt of the 300mi\/483km long Monumental Loop in southern New Mexico. An extended turkey trot, so to speak. Less turkey, more trot. Ella Raff\u00a0(7d\u00a08h) and Peter Livingstone\u00a0(5d\u00a021h\u00a019m) are the current supported FKT holders.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;adventures&quot;","block_context":{"text":"adventures","link":"https:\/\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/category\/adventures\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/ml_splash.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/ml_splash.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/ml_splash.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/ml_splash.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/ml_splash.png?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/ml_splash.png?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]}],"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"Christof Teuscher","author_link":"https:\/\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/author\/cteusche\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/category\/adventures\/\" rel=\"category tag\">adventures<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/category\/challenge\/\" rel=\"category tag\">challenge<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/category\/epic-shit\/\" rel=\"category tag\">epic shit<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/category\/fkt\/\" rel=\"category tag\">fkt<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"On Sat, Mar 18, 2023, I made a 1st self-supported attempt of the 210mi Anza-Borrego Loop. A series of bad decisions led to an undesired outcome. Keep reading if you are interested to learn from my mistakes. &#8220;Good decisions come&hellip; Continue Reading &rarr;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10387","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10387"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10387\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10560,"href":"https:\/\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10387\/revisions\/10560"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10387"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10387"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10387"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}