Day 43, Sunday

5.6.2018

Mile 624-643

I heard hikers passing by at all hours of the night. It interesting to see names of people on registers that you’ll prob never meet because they only seem to night hike. Although I enjoyed it the one night I did it, it still hasn’t become my go-to for hiking out here. Just seeing all the beautiful wildflowers out here during the day is enough to keep me day hiking everyday. I also saw my first view of the snowy peaks of the Sierras. They are just a few days away.

Fossils alarm went off at 0530. I’ve been waking up as the sun starts to rise so I wasn’t far behind. We were hiking by 7 and eating breakfast around 830 after our first few miles. Just for good measure. I added up the calories in what I ate this morning–for the first time. A serving of peanut butter, a flour tortilla, 3 pieces of Almond Joy and a protein bar. Bam. And that’s how you eat your way through the PCT.

Our first plan of the day was to make it to Mile 630 for water. With a mostly downhill trail, those miles ticked away fast. It was the miles after the cache that hurt. The cache was well stocked. We took an early lunch break there. We hung out with Wild&Free, Magnet, PonyExpress and GreenLantern (No DanR, not that one!) Unfortunately for us, it was nearing 11 for us by the time we were ready to head up the hill. It was just about 4.5 miles of hill, in the sunshine. I broke out the sunbrella for the first 3 miles. After that we took a little siesta under the one shady tree. With a little more than one mile to climb the nap was well needed. Never mind the fact that we were carrying water from the cache at mile 630 to the next source at 643.

All the guys who were at the water cache are here now. We are camping across from the trail, just up from the McIvers Cabin. The cabin is super sketchy as you can see from the photo. I don’t think you could pay me enough money to sleep in there. I wonder if that is what some of the shelters look like on the AT. Gross. And the water isn’t much to write about either. It’s a piped spring which is always nice BUT I have yet to try what I have filtered for tomorrow. Everyone else camped here has had said it’s the worst water yet on the trail and it tastes like sulfur. Awesome. I’ll either try to cover up the taste with drink mix packets or just be dehydrated for the first 7 miles tomorrow. Some days are better than others out here. The water source 20 miles from here has had a history or Uranium in it. Even better!!!! What have I gotten myself into?!?!

I’m currently 59 miles from Kennedy Meadows. Fossil and I are both trying to make it there on Wednesday. He’s on more of a time schedule than myself but I think it’s pretty doable for me too. I’ll probably take a zero or 2 there. I was going to look into a snow skills course before I go into the Sierras so I’m hoping to get that fit into the week next week. Sometimes (most right now) NOT having cell service is relaxing. Times like this when I need to find a room or book this particular class it’s kinda a bummer. But all will work out. I have confidence 🙂 My friend Matt will be meeting me in Kennedy Meadows as well. I’ve got a few gear items I’m going to swap out and he’s being my new shoes (yes again) as well as the all night bear canister that I have to carry. Just when I really get like I had a good packing system in my Hyperlite, it’s all gonna change in a week with that huge can.

It was another relaxing day overall with Fossil. We made camp and dinner just as the sun was setting. We had one other hiker named Cruise show up. It’s a bit breezy here and I think I just heard a critter outside my tent trying to get in my food bag. This is when I have to have the debate of earplugs or not?!? Life could be worse I guess. Goodnight! Love you all!