As the Trail Turns

I live at the base of Tucki Mountain, below a gravel wash that leads to Mosaic Canyon, one of the more popular day hikes in Death Valley. I get off work in the afternoon and head up the wash to Mosaic, passed thirsty bushes, away from the lonely boys working at Stovepipe, away from air … Continue reading Mosaic

"I can get you a ride in the laundry truck to the park" M says over the phone. I got a job in Death Valley--housekeeper. It seems I cannot spend a year away from the place. I bought the Michael Digonnet guide. I'll explore canyons on my days off! Looking forward to creosote and pinyon-juniper smells, … Continue reading Back to the desert!

I became the woman in the room with ugly yellow wallpaper. I went insane. I spent months trapped inside skin that burned and, a bone deep itch, that I will never forget. All over my body, head to toe. Day and night. Never sleeping, shivering, clawing, losing my fucking mind. I spent hours in the … Continue reading Withdrawal

Pacific Crest Trail. In a bar, Sierra City. 2010. 1 am. Barstools. On my left sit two twenty-something dude hikers. On my right a man pulls money out of his weathered leather wallet. He doesn't see a lot of women come through and he's desperate for a lay. Behind me are his two big cousins. … Continue reading Barstools

Just a coupla nice Midwestern gals, Ohio. She comes up to me at a gathering, with dimples and glasses too big for her face. We laugh in an octagonal room full of squares. We bond over our FlexTrek Whipsnakes! then sneak off to get high and make fun of hiking culture. Before I have to … Continue reading D

I've turned into a burned teddy cholla. But not dead! Runs! Juices! Hikes! Dead in Bed! Then Runs bloody, swollen, burning, itchy, TOTALLY BATSHITSFDJKdfsjk. When I come out of this, TIME, JUICING, SLEEP, FORGETTING IT SOMEHOW, I will not be the same. I cannot think of hiking, it makes me cry. To be a prisoner … Continue reading TSW

"It's not you it's me" he says at Evolution Creek, easy crossing. My first trailmance is breaking up with me--after I tried to cross Evolution hard crossing and it was up to my tits. I held my backpack over my head which dislocated my shoulder and why didn't I take the easier way?? Buck Tooth … Continue reading Snot Nutella