Bailing on the New Mexico Backcountry Discovery Route (NMBDR) II

...continued from Bailing on the New Mexico Backcountry Discovery Route (NMBDR)

Not only to put in the kayak in then, but India also wanted to do the 18-mile lake trail on this trip rather than the much shorter 3-mile lake trail. Of course, she did! Why wouldn't she? However, because we needed more time, neither happened on this trip, and we turned around from here (36.24293, -106.43085) for next time. I will be on the bike, not hiking 18 miles anywhere.



While unrelated to the trip, I have something to share. Sometime after Abiquiu Lake, NM, the speed limit on this road was 65mph. The second car in front of me abruptly turned her signal light on while she tapped the brake and jumped onto the right shoulder. The car in front of me could not react fast enough to step on the brake but instead jerked left, invading the oncoming traffic, which had to swirl into the left shoulder. While I am not an accident recreation specialist, had the gray car not swirled left, it would have rear-ended the car in front at 65mph. In the same manner, had the oncoming car not swirled right, those two would have collided head-on at 65mph; at their right bumpers, the most common accident impact and where crimple zones are intentional to displace the energy around the driver. CRAZY! Be careful out there.



Nonetheless, forward and onward to Antonito, CO. While previously unknown to me and away from the NMBDR, I would be driving past San Antonio Mountain, NM (36.85974, -106.01891) on the impromptu asphalt route I selected to Antonito, CO. From the looks of it on GAIA-GPS there is a road to the top of San Antonio Mountain (10,913' elevation), which I wanted drive and maybe even overnight there. Unfortunately, despite San Antonio Mountain is a peak inside Carson National Forest, a sign read that a gate half a mile up the road is locked due to private property. Darn. Anyhow, onward to Antonito, CO.



Just before the center of Antonito, CO, is a Sinclair gas station where I filled up with gas and took a shower for $12. While eating dinner, I made with the Ninja Foodi oven; I sought out the weather forecast. After looking at two other sources, the forecast was 1-2' of snow for the area. Not 1-2 inches, but feet! Not wanting to spend the weekend in Antonito, CO (for no reason other than not how I wanted to spend two or three days), I left for Phoenix, AZ, after dinner. (The picture below was taken 24 hours after arriving in Phoenix, AZ, and it was still snowing in Antonito, CO. Whew!)



Aside from the adventure, I am trying my setup to improve and share lessons with others each time I go out. As to the living accommodations, aside from the shower and the electrical system, I made every effort to prepare meals that required little to no cleanup—for no reason other than I am lazy and would rather not spend time doing dishes, much less in the cold. Like at home, food is simply energy. I just need to eat something. I don't prepare seven-course meals at home, much less am I interested in doing so out of the 4Runner.

Another subject is sleeping versus storing clothes, food, and bulky odds and ends, like the kayak. Before India, I slept in half the current bed and left the other half as a hallway where, aside from storage, I could somewhat sit up by putting my feet in the hallway. No way in hell am I giving up India just to sit up in bed! On this trip, I purposely brought more stuff than needed to test the inconvenience of moving items from under the fully deployed bed to access things. In comparison, the inconvenience of playing Tetris to gain access to things is considerable. However, sleeping comfortably in the fully deployed bed wins! On top of that, with time, playing Tetris will get better. If not, as a US Army [Infantry] Combat Medic, I learned long ago that the solution to carrying medical necessities is NOT more pockets (storage) but only carrying essentials with multiple uses, thus carrying less stuff.

In the same Infantry mentality, I don't spill out into the site where I am camping/overnighting. Meaning that when I go to bed, everything is put away in its place, and I am ready to go by simply jumping into the driver's seat, starting the engine, and going. Part PTSD. Part, "I don't have time for you! Chao!"

Additionally, this trip allowed me to use my recovery gear in multiple setups—many times over. While 2-3 times it took some creativity, overall, I had sufficient and the right gear to get myself out every time. That said, there was always an anchor point in the forest waiting to be used. That is not always the case, and why do I have a Pull-Pal on my list. Any objections?

Along the same recovery theme, I learned to use A-Trac more than I wanted, appreciating its capabilities and limitations.

The tablet I added was a huge luxury over the phone and Car Play alone. Going forward, I could only go with the tablet; the difference is that notable. Another worth mentioning and much appreciated is the Zoleo Satellite Communicator, which can text without cellular coverage when paired to the phone. Otherwise, if there is a signal, it's excellent; if not, that's fine too.

Aside from the great adventure times two, it cannot go without saying what a great job our federal and state governments do to provide us with roads through absolutely incredible and epic places throughout our great nation. On top of that, kudos to organizations like Backcountry Discovery Route, Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, and others for taking the time, energy, and effort to create these incredible routes.

Additionally, my hat is off in much appreciation to all who record and share your similar travels, as those efforts are absolutely priceless and hopefully rewarding in encouraging the rest of us to get out and explore the places you shared with us.

Lastly, as someone who travels alone, aside from pets, I can see why so many go on these trips in groups, as going at it alone is daunting at times and can be catastrophic at worst. The latter sending many out of their comfort zone.

While this, in so many ways, interrupted trip deviated from the NMBDR, I am more than satisfied with the portions I could travel through. Asterisk, knowing a large portion of the northern interrupted sections, is part of the GDMBR I intend to follow in Fall 2024.

Relive video for NMBDR second attempt.



Thanks for reading India's story and mine. Be safe.

 

Apparently I missed the two threads for this trip. Amazing adventure. I'm jealous (although I am not ready to venture as far as you did into areas/ roads unknown and possibly getting stuck... albeit temporarily). Good stuff.