3.29.2018 day 5

My view tonight as I solo camp for the first time on the PCT is pretty awesome. I’m overlooking the San Felipe Valley, the moon looks full and no one is near. Totally different experience than last night where I was surrounded by numerous hikers.

Of course as I write and it’s currently 745pm I’m a little bummed that I’m solo here tonight. It’s not the first night that I’ve ever camped solo but it is the first night on the PCT solo and it is only day 5. I do expect more nights like tonight so I practiced a few things that I’ll need to get into the habit of. For example…. I put all my toiletries, food items and cookwear outside my tent in my Ursack. Critters have been known to eat threw tents so I opted to leave my food outside tonight. Let’s see how that goes. I also tried the spray method when I brushed my teeth tonight. That didn’t go so well as I spit toothpaste on my foot rather than the rock I was aiming for.

A few things about today, I got an early start today than the past days which was nice. Dani and Noah were up and out just as I was taking down my tent. I caught up with them and Dani and I made a plan for the day–which didn’t work obviously cause I’m here and she’s ahead of me still. I did message her about sharing a room in Julian as she plans to take a zero there.

The desert out here is no joke. Those first few nights of super cold and today I could have fried an egg on my Sunbrella. Yup, that made an appearance today…. then the wind picked up, so the sunbrella went back in for the remainder of the afternoon.

I didn’t get a photo of the water stops today but if you can imagine a horse trough with a spigot attach there is no need for a picture. I used my AquaMira drops which are quick and lightweight but then decided I shouldn’t chance the giardia so soon, so I finally quit being lazy and pulled out the filter for extra clean water. The drops do the trick when the water is flowing so I should be fine–famous last words right?

I’m forcing myself to eat which I’ve heard is kinda a thing. I had a Good-to-Go mushroom risotto packet of food for this evening along with the rest of the sour gummy candies I took from the Trail magic box today. Oh yes! My first trail magic! Some nice trail angel left wetwipes, blister care, trail mix and candy in this cooler at Sunrise Trailhead. I left her a Thank You from all that was chowing down at the time. What a cool surprise 🙂

I seem to always be between the groups. Faster than some and slower than others. I followed Chris and Paul all day long until I arrived at this camp site. I couldn’t fathom dropping down another hill today. Team SOS and Jacob are a few campsites behind me. I’m sure I’ll see everyone again tomorrow. With my knee sore and a rest day kind of planned tomorrow in Julian, it’s looking like I will be in Warner Springs on Sunday. As others have shipped their first resupply boxes there I’m hoping that my stay will allow me to catch up with Emily and Laura by Monday when they pick up their supplies too.

I did meet a nice hiker by the name of Sourdough Jim. He had just about fallen asleep on the trail with his pack on when I came strolling by. We had a good chat and then he gave me a “no drama” button from his random collection of pins. Don’t have the button on but here’s Jim:

My little bit of vanity is well aware that my hair is atrocious. It’s kinda fun “not to care” for once. I just care about the pain in my knee right now. Doran said he might be able to bring me a brace so we shall see how that goes. The others are still battling blisters. Everybody has something going on. My eyes are getting heavy so I will sleep now. Happy Trails.

Side note: sorry if the photos don’t load. Service is a little slim tonight for the media download I’ll uploadthem tomorrow when I’m off this hill. Goodnight.