Sunday Day 81

June 24, 2018

Miles 1211-1232 Karen mile 1033

Well, it was 10pm when my friends Rudolph, Donner and Blixen showed up again. At least this time they didn’t camp out as long. The came, sniffed, trampled on branches and eventually left. I slept really well after that, thankfully. I needed it. I was really close to an OHV road so for most of the evening–at least until sundown–I had motorcycle and ATV noise going on.

I forced myself to get moving after 6. I made sure to collect water from the runoff of Summit Lake before leaving so I didn’t have to make a stop early in the day. Water bottles full, I was hiking by 7am. The miles seemed much easier today. It was around noon when I took break and had just enough service to update the blog. I didn’t want to stay too long as it was just starting to heat up for the day.

I’d seen 4 people all heading south today. All weekenders or section hikers. It was a little after 2pm when I stopped to chat with a guy name Nathan who was taking a break in the shade. He said he was section hiking to Belden. Finally someone going the same direction! He said he’s been thinking about doing the entire PCT and this section worked out logistically for him so he’s giving it a whirl for a week. I left him to enjoy the remainder of his break and I hiked on. I climbed to the top of whatever hill we were on (seemed like a lot of them today) and took break there. When he reached the top we chatted some more and hiked the next mile. I lost him on the next climb but eventually he caught up later in the day. He went ahead 2 more miles for the evening so I may see him tomorrow. Just nice to talk to someone again.

#didntfindanywhiskeyhere

I am actually glad that Cowboy made it to mile 1232 with me tonight. He had to wait for his resupply box yesterday in Sierra City, so he didn’t leave town until after 1pm. We had good conversation while we ate dinner from opposite sides of the trail. He’s currently sleeping under the stars, no tent, just the way he likes it.

I’m pretty sure I saw my first bear today. It was around mile 1218 so probably around 10am. I heard something wrestle in the bushes on my left side, down the embankment of the trail. When I saw the moment all I saw was the round dirty brown hind end of a scurrying animal. No long pointy legs or white on the furry end, so I’m calling it a bear. Mark that box, check!

I also saw a snake. It looked like a ginormous worm. I sent the photo to Brother. I always love his responses: That’s a rubber boa. Totally harmless. Oh Glen, harmless to you but man they make me jump!

Other than that, pretty chill day. I’ve got a ton of mosquito bites from this campsite and the last place I took water from. I’m hoping the deer don’t show up tonight. Cowboy says he hasn’t been that lucky. Ha! Let’s see who has the luck. Good night!