The Witch Queen DLC is highly anticipated by many players of the game. It promises to bring new content and exciting gameplay experiences. However, before purchasing the DLC, it is important to consider how much you should budget for it. Firstly, it is important to note that the pricing for DLCs vary depending on the game and the developer. Some DLCs may be free, while others may come at a cost. For the Witch Queen DLC, it is likely that there will be a price attached to it, as it is a major expansion for the game.
I clean up the best I can while fighting my typical high-altitude morning nausea. I emerge from my tent at first light to a deer and her fawn eating breakfast in the clearing. They make me feel safer, somehow. I pack up and as soon as it is light enough to appease the background fear in my brain, I start hiking.
The trail climbs four miles from my campsite to the unique Snow Mesa, supposedly the largest high altitude plateau entirely above 12,000 feet in the country. A wireless multiroom speaker system is the easiest way to listen to music, podcasts, and other audio entertainment in more than one room at a time, and we think Sonos is the best option.
For the Witch Queen DLC, it is likely that there will be a price attached to it, as it is a major expansion for the game. To determine how much you should budget for the Witch Queen DLC, you should consider factors such as the cost of previous DLCs for the game and the pricing trends set by the developer. **Researching the pricing history of the game and its DLCs can give you a good idea of how much the Witch Queen DLC may cost.
I Thought Mesas Were Supposed to Be Flat: Colorado Trail Days 12-13
I wake at 5 am. Today is a town day, but I have to hike 10.4 miles by 12:30 pm to make the shuttle into Lake City. This is a doable goal, but I am nervous nonetheless, especially knowing the day starts with 3 miles of climbing.
The sun doesn’t rise until 6:30, and it is pitch black in my tent. I camped alone and last night heard the most coyotes I ever have, and this time, they were quite close. Coyotes don’t go after humans, typically, but I still don’t feel comfortable leaving my tent in the dark. But boy, do I have to pee.
I decide to do my freezer gallon Ziploc bag trick (I carry two in my poop kit for this exact purpose, and they have served me well). Unfortunately, in the nerves of the morning, something doesn’t go quite right. Now there are pee droplets on my tent floor and down sleeping booties. I am truly hiker trash. Thank goodness it is a town day.
I clean up the best I can while fighting my typical high-altitude morning nausea. I emerge from my tent at first light to a deer and her fawn eating breakfast in the clearing. They make me feel safer, somehow. I pack up and as soon as it is light enough to appease the background fear in my brain, I start hiking.
Someone Is Watching
I am a little more on edge because just above the trail here is a rocky section of the mountain. Mountain lions often use rocky outcroppings such as these to hunt, and dawn is a particularly active time. I try to focus on the hike ahead to squelch the fears, but I can’t help but feeling like I am being watched. I enter an open stretch of trail with that nagging feeling continuing, so I finally summon the courage to stop and look around.
Sure enough, I am being watched. But not by mountain lions – at least, not that I can see. On the ridge directly across from me are three bighorn sheep, frozen and staring at me. And just above me are several deer, studying me with confusion to determine whether I am friend or foe. I laugh. This is an audience of the best kind.
I had to zoom way in, but there are three bighorn sheep in this picture.
The Much Anticipated Snow Mesa
The trail climbs four miles from my campsite to the unique Snow Mesa, supposedly the largest high altitude plateau entirely above 12,000 feet in the country. Because it is flat and entirely above treeline, it can be a scary place during a thunderstorm. This is why I timed it for first thing in the morning.
Selfie as an excuse to take a break while climbing.
I have heard so much about the beauty of the plateau and highly anticipate getting to experience it myself. The climb to it seems to take forever. When I finally think I can see the top, I meet a Continental Divide Trail (CDT) hiker going the other way who sadly informs me I have farther to go. Toughened by the climb, I appreciate the honesty and push onwards. I round a bend and there, in front of me across the way, is Snow Mesa. It looks unreal, and it is all downhill from here.
Snow Mesa as seen from the trail approaching it. This is just a corner of the mesa, directly in the middle of the photo.
Or so it seems. It is mostly downhill, but across scree. I have come to loathe hiking on rocks of nearly all kinds on this trail. Scree is the price to pay for high altitude beauty, though, so I watch my step and push on.
Wait, I Thought Mesas Were Flat
Soon enough, I am on Snow Mesa itself. It wasn’t completely downhill to get there, but now that I am on the plateau I hope to make up some time. It should be flat, right? I should be able to easily cruise across it to the descent.
Alas. The trail itself is rutted. It is barely wide enough for two feet and it is rounded, turning my ankles inward at an awkward and uncomfortable angle. At several points, the rut becomes so bad a new trail has been stamped out next to the official trail. From a Leave-No-Trace perspective, this is unfortunate. To my ankles, it is a welcome relief.
And surprisingly, the plateau is not as flat as expected. I knew there would be minor ups and downs but some of the climbs are straight up. As I huff up the unexpected climbs, I can’t help but think that the steepest section (over 20% grade!) would be avoidable with a small trail adjustment. I run into other hikers who make the same observation. Once past the worst hill, though, it does flatten out more.
The vast expanse of Snow Mesa. Just ahead, the dark spot on the photo is the beginning of the steep descent.
I so badly wanted to love Snow Mesa, but I feel frustrated and irritated by it. I slowly realize that I have been hiking solely off of a granola bar and the pull of town, and I feel the hanger rising. The note I wrote in my journal later was “Didn’t eat enough so was a super crank to myself the whole time.” Whoops. Calorie deficit aside, I am annoyed at having to rush through something I wanted to enjoy. I again wish I had pushed through last night to camp with Jeff and John so I could have enjoyed the morning a bit more.
The Worst Descent (Yet)
Finally, I reach the edge. After miles of the (mostly) gently sloping plateau, the trail seems to dive suddenly off a cliff. If I hated the rocks before, this is a whole new experience. The trail is incredibly steep down through a talus and scree field. Marmots have burrowed into the trail and I have to carefully step around the holes, testing the rocks for secure footholds. I immediately know this two mile descent, losing nearly 1400 feet of elevation, is going to be quite slow.
The very beginning of the descent from Snow Mesa.
The worst of it is the first half mile, but the loose rock doesn’t let up for quite a while. Just when I think I finally have the hang of it, my foot catches and I fly forward. My knee lands with full force on a rock. There are a couple of day hikers just around the bend behind me, so I pull myself up and continue descending (can’t let them see my weakness!), but I know that wasn’t just any fall. I feel my right kneecap start to swell. My hatred for loose rock grows.
Thankfully, the descent levels out a little more and before I know it, I am at the Spring Creek Pass trailhead. I made it by noon. A growing group of hikers lays in the shade, passing stories and recommending gear. First, it is John, with BP and Breezy, who I met when they passed me earlier on trail. After a few minutes, Tortoise and the Hare-Catcher join us. Another hiker makes it with just a couple minutes to spare, and he explains that he hiked 16 miles to make it. I am simultaneously impressed and exhausted just listening to his tale.
** Additionally, it is important to consider the value that the Witch Queen DLC will bring to your gameplay experience. **If you are a dedicated player of the game and have thoroughly enjoyed previous DLCs, you may be willing to set aside a larger budget for the Witch Queen DLC.** On the other hand, if you are not as invested in the game or have budget constraints, you may want to set a smaller budget for the DLC. It is important to **determine a budget that is reasonable and aligns with your financial situation and gaming priorities.** In conclusion, the question of how much to budget for the Witch Queen DLC varies for each individual player. **By considering factors such as the pricing history of the game and its DLCs, as well as the value the DLC will bring to your gameplay experience, you can determine an appropriate budget for the expansion.**.
Reviews for "The Witch Queen DLC: Planning your gaming budget in advance"
1. Jennifer - 1/5 - I was extremely disappointed with the Witch Queen DLC for "How much should i budget". Firstly, the price was outrageous for what was essentially just a few additional missions. The content itself was lackluster and didn't justify the cost at all. The storyline felt rushed and the new characters introduced were forgettable. Overall, I regretted spending my hard-earned money on this DLC and wouldn't recommend it to other players.
2. Mark - 2/5 - While I didn't hate the Witch Queen DLC for "How much should i budget", I definitely didn't think it was worth the hype. The main issue I had was with the length of the DLC. It was over before I knew it, and for the price, I expected a lot more gameplay hours. The new features and abilities introduced were okay, but nothing groundbreaking. It felt like a missed opportunity for the developers to bring something truly exciting to the table. Overall, I wouldn't say it was terrible, but it definitely fell short of my expectations.
3. Rebecca - 2/5 - The Witch Queen DLC for "How much should i budget" was a major letdown for me. The content felt repetitive and offered nothing new to the overall gaming experience. The storyline was predictable, and I found myself losing interest quickly. Additionally, the DLC seemed to have several bugs and glitches, which further dampened the enjoyment. It's a shame because I had high hopes for this expansion, but it ultimately failed to deliver anything substantial. I would advise other players to think twice before purchasing this DLC.