Hiker and former Amherst resident Jamie Docka has been on the 3,000-mile-plus Continental Divide Trail since April 21. He told the Spirit, “It is hot, dry, and verrrrrry windy! Made some new friends and met an old friend (@thegreatfish2019) from my Appalachian Trail hike.”

According to Jamie’s mother, Danita, “Water supplies are few and far between and Jamie has accessed water from cattle troughs as necessary until he’s lucky enough to hit a natural water source.

“Fires are burning throughout New Mexico, but Jamie has been able to avoid any smoke or closures to this point. There are talks of closing the national forests north of Cuba, New Mexico.

“Jamie has already put on several hundred miles and is slowing down to avoid snow still in Colorado, a few hundred miles north of his current camp near Pie Town, New Mexico.”

The Spirit will continue to track Docka’s progress through the summer and into the fall.

Hiker Jamie Docka began his journey on the Continental Divide Trail April 21 (left). The trailhead marker shows the states he’ll be traveling through on his 3,000-mile hike (center). And he marked the first 100 miles of progress (right).