Category: PCT 2018

5.11.2018

Well, I started the day out by almost peeing on someone’s tent. Let’s just take a minute to laugh about that. I think it was Ruffles tent, but I’m still not certain. In my honest defense, he was NOT set up in those bushes the night before!!!

Now that’s out of the way, I had breakfast with Justin and Joey. Tyler sat with the other group of cool kids. Either way, the three boys were packed up and ready to head back to the trail by noon. Bob–the local trail angel/Grumpy Bear assistant/driver took us all over to the trailhead. I had to take photos as they left. Their plan is to make it to Vermillion Valley Resort. That’s mile 878 on the trail. That’s quiet a stretch so I’m doubtful I will see them any time soon. I wish them all good luck!

I was told last night that the General Store carried ice axes. So after we dropped off the boys (and picked up Tang who was just getting to town from the trail) Bob stopped at the GS for me. Tang picked up her packages while I checked out the axes. It was my lucky day. They had one in the length I needed. I was super happy although I had already placed an Amazon order for one to Lone Pine so I needed time to rethink my plan before I purchased another one.

So back to Grumpys we go. Matt showed up at 230pm with all my goodies from Las Vegas. Such a great friend to come and visit me and deliver all the goods. I immediately went into action of constructing and deconstructing my bag, the bear canister and my next resupply box–which I still couldn’t decide where to send it. After all that was sort of situated Matt and I went to the General Store where I snagged a few extra food items and the ax. I ultimately decided I could return the amazon order, make the next stop Independance in 6-7 days instead of Lone Pine in 3 days. The town stops are a little more tedious through the mountains with longer side trails to get to the town access roads.

Just before leaving the GS we ran into Seeker, Camel, Heidi, Ruffles and Cruise all having dinner. A few of them hiked from Grumpys and some just took the ride over. They were only headed to the Kennedy Meadows CG 2 miles up. I asked them if they wanted beers for later since Matt had a cooler and they wouldn’t have to carry them down trail. Of course they just thought that was a great idea. So beer into the cooler and Matt and I went to find a campsite. He’s got one of those fancy tents on his truck–foam pad included-so I was eager to sleep in it. Cozy it would be with 2 adults and his adorable pup, Ryder.

Back to Grumpys, I packed up my tent. I also spoke with Luc about my plan to leave tomorrow. He and I had already discussed leaving KM together. He roped in Dude as well. I told them both that I’d be back to breakfast tomorrow and we’d head back to the trail together. They agreed.

Matt and I headed back to the campground to setup (him) and organize (me). I walked down trail to find Seeker and his group which turned out to be perfect timing. They all setup with us at the same spot which was fun. Matt dragged over a couple of small trees and built a fire. I’m sure we stayed up later than we should have, I’m pretty sure it was past 9 pm.

Sleeping in the Tepui was seriously nice.

Tomorrow I will actually put my bear can into my backpack. Nope, I still haven’t done that yet. I’ll also pick up a few more meals from Triple Crown Outfitter and ship my next resupply box to Independence. I shouldn’t need to buy anything when I get there except for some Fritos and maybe more peanut butter.

Tomorrow will be the big day us hikers all dream about but are most nervous about. There’s so many variables that can change how things go in the next few weeks. I’m trying to stay focused on the next days and not worry about things after that. It becomes to hard to plan at some point. Too many “what ifs…” What will be, will be. One day at a time.

5.10.2018

I don’t know how much I explained about KM. This little community of 200 isn’t something you’d pass through normally. The closest town is Ridgecrest which is 46 miles away. The only thing here that I’ve seen is the General Store, the gear store, some sort of phone company building, a few cabins and homes, and Grumpy Bears Retreat.

Taking today off was amazing. The only thing about sitting down (and it happens on the trail too) is that the time passes so fast. We all piled into the cafe at 8am. Kendra (one of the owners) makes “hiker breakfast” for $10. Two eggs, 2 strips of bacon, potatoes and pancake the size of a medium pizza–which the pancakes they say are all you can eat. I’m sure there’s a record for how many a starved hiker has thrown down. I’ll find out the number tomorrow. After breakfast I said goodbye to Fossil. He was ready to get back out to the trail. I’m so excited to hear how his next few days go.

With our bellies full Laura, Andrew and I walked over to Triple Crown Outfitters. To my sadness, they didn’t have an ice ax in my size. I did purchase some warmer gloves tho so my hands will be happy when we move north. I’ll head back over there today to grab a few resupply foods before I head out. I also bought a new filter (again). I want to try out the Sawyer–I should have bought it a long time ago. It will make filtering in the Sierras that much faster. Since I won’t have to carry much more than a liter at any given time, the Sawyer will be less to deal with than my Platypus system. As far as the ice ax is concerned I ordered one from Amazon and will have it shipped to Lone Pine. It should be there Monday. Now I’ll just have to figure out an exit strategy as it’s 22 miles from the trail. I’ve got a few contacts for Trail angels so I’ll start with that when I get to Trail Pass, which is 30 miles up the PCT. It should be perfect timing with the 2 days that I am taking off here.

After gear shopping, Laura and Andrew finished their packing. They shipped food to Lone Pine and will take a zero there in a few days to celebrate Andrew birthday.

As lunchtime drew closer, there seemed to be an exchange of the hiker group. More left than the number that came in. I was happy to see Luc again. He’s staying at least until Sunday and May exit at Lone Pine too so I make have some trail time with him. I also met a girl named Heidi. She seems nice but I think she’s headed out today. By the end of the afternoon, it was just down to a few of us. It was pretty quiet and I was able to catch up on the blogging and some other random things online–that is all the other life chores I don’t have to worry about much anymore. Having most of my bills on autopay has made life really easy out here but I still need to check and make sure it’s all going where it’s supposed to. And I’m ever so thankful for Lori who’s staying at my house and takes care of the mail for me.

Eventually the boys made it back to Grumpy. Joey, Tyler, and Justin so we laughed about their ride into town (but just to the freeway) and then an Uber ride from the freeway into town. And that’s why I didn’t go into Ridgecrest. It sounded a bit far and complicated. Anywho, we shared a pizza and some beers. Then the whole group of us–at least 10–all day on the back porch of Grumpys and enjoyed conversation around the fire pit. Always a great way to end an evening. P.S. Heidi and Heather: I told Justin I’ll need to add a separate note each day that I go without a Justin sighting from here. They will be going into the Sierras tomorrow and their next stops are much further than mine.

I should also give a shout to the crew here at Grumpys. They are here a solid 12 hours running this joint. The kitchen is open 11 of those 12. Kendra and her crew (who I believe are about 3 others) keep all these hikers fed and happy. Evidently this is still a slow start to the season for them as they’ve had more than 30 hikers here at a time in years past. They don’t charge you to camp here, but it’s $3 for laundry and $3 for showers. And WiFi is $10. Not a bad gig. I did take an extra shower today just because I could.

And for off trail news…. I’m missing a friend-family function this weekend. Another milestone, although not mine, but one I wanted to be present for and I’m of course sad I will not be attending. To my friends Jacoby and Eva, I know I will see you soon enough. I hope this weekend is lovely in every facet of the imagination. I cannot wait to see the photos of your joyous day. I’m so happy you have found each other and I look forward to the MEMORIESAHEAD that you two will share.

5.9.2018

Mile 683-702

The sleeping weather out here has been amazing. And when you wake up and hardly have to put that second layer of clothing on to start the day, it’s going to be a good one.

Since we had camped at Fox Mill Spring (elevation 6522ft) our morning climb to just over 8000ft seemed easy. The sun was still rising and the temperature still had a cool chill to the air. We packed up and left earlier than normal today and we were able to get more miles in earlier AND beat the heat.

The views are already getting better. The surrounding mountains and snow capped peaks are all within viewing range. Getting water today was easy as well. Again, a sign that we are just more steps closer to the mountains. The first sight of the Kern River today was actually breathtaking.

Oh! And since I saw one rattlesnake yesterday. I saw yet another today. This one was on trail but too fast for me to get a photo. I saw this guy and we thought he was dead. Fossil went to move him and he quickly showed us he wasn’t dead. Sorry Glen–I still don’t like them. The only mistake we made in planning today was thinking that the “junction” to Grumpy Bears Retreat (where we planned to camp in KM) was 17 miles. I’m actually we ended up walking to mile 702, then another 9/10 of a mile to get to the Kennedy Meadows General Store. We were thankful Brad at the store was still open for business. We grabbed a burger and a beer there, then I ate half a pint of ice cream. We chatted with JJ who was just about ready to head back to the trail. He waited out the heat yesterday and arrived into KM at 3am. No thank you!!!! After I passed my ice cream over, we contacted Doug over at Grumpy Bears and he arranged a truck to come pick us all up.

At Grumpy Bears we quickly got on the shower list. Write your name down and the bartender lets you know when it’s your turn. Some of the guys were outside playing football. Some of us (with less energy) just caught up chatting with those we hadn’t see in a while. Ran into Seeker here, Meg and Simon (who I haven’t seen since Big Bear), the Canadians, and Laura and Andrew. I got a message from Justin and they went high class and arranged a room in Ridgecrest. I think he’ll be coming over here tomorrow.

We had beers for the night and talked strategies about the next few miles. Tomorrow I will check out Triple Crown Outfitters which is owned by a veteran hiker named Yogi (Jackie). Matt will be here Friday with my gear so I’ll have more chores to do once he’s here’s. It’ll be good to see another friendly face. Cheers to another great day on the trail. The saga of my trail name continues. Nothing has stuck but as I enter the Sierras and meet more new people I’m sure it’ll happen.