Day 38 5.1.2018

Mile 534-549

I was up way too early today and I’m pretty sure I was up way too late last night. Whatever came of it, I wasn’t super excited to get to hiking today. I think I was dreading the long 4 mile climb at mile 11-15 for the day. Whatever it was I hope it’s gone, cause tomorrow is all downhill to Tehachapi!

I was up early enough to watch the sunrise. It was beautiful. Once I was on the trail, it was really cool to walk through the wind farm. Those things are so huge!!!

Laura and I hiked the first 6 miles before the boys caught us at the water source. The plan was to carry enough water to dry camp this evening and have enough water to descend 16 miles tomorrow. Seeing as the weather had been windy and chilly all morning, we all agreed that carrying less than our normal 3 liters would be okay. Of course, wouldn’t you know it, a hiker heading southbound passed us at mile 13 for the day and told us there was a water cache up top. Well darn… that was a surprise (a good one of course). But those are the times when you wished you had only carried 1 liter.

So we arrived at mile 349 and found the stellar water cache. What a perfect little surprise and a great place to take a break. Laura and I discussed heading down further but the camp sites were sparse further down trail. We found the boys waiting for us just a few feet away at a campsite after our break. We discussed options for tomorrow, set up our tents, and the boys built a fire. The wind is blowing pretty steady. And I pulled the forecast for the area and we might get a touch of snow up here.

We were eventually joined by a couple of girls from Australia and a guy they’ve been hiking with from Kentucky I believe. I had retreated into my tent to cook so I didn’t get the full story.

The plan for tomorrow is an early getup and go. I’m pretty sure I’m going to hike in my sleeping clothes to keep warm. Since I’ll be going into Tehachapi they’ll get washed there anyway. A very good long time friend of mine is going to be waiting for me so I’m going to hustle to town. Should be a fun day.