Category: PCT 2018

5.8.2018

Mile 665-683

It was a slow, hot kind of day. We still managed to crank out 18 miles in total but it just felt like we had a hard time getting started. First off, even with the early wake up today, we didn’t see the sun until after we were hiking. We were tucked between some high peaks and of course we had major condensation to go with that. We tried to let things air out before we packed up but finally decided it was time to pack up wet and dry out later.

It was a little over 3 miles to the first crossing of Spanish Needle Creek. The great thing about today was knowing we had at least 3 water sources for the day. This is what it’s going to be like in the Sierras!!! So we grabbed a small amount of water from the first crossing of Spanish Needle Creek, went a mile further and grabbed some more. It was a better flowing source. Also at this stop, we unpacked our sleeping bags and tents and laid them in the sun. This gave us time to chow down as well. Fossil went down to the stream to do laundry and I did bucket laundry on the trail with my collapsible bucket. That thing is money!!!!

We knew we had a tough climb and of course the heat set in for us and so did the GNATS!!! Oh my golly, they were everywhere! I’m pretty sure I ate two and inhaled one through my nose–which I felt like I was trying to blow out for the next 30 minutes. I know, gross but welcome to my trail life. As far as the climb goes, we eventually made it up to 7005ft (from 5236) in about 4 miles. We stopped up top where we had another snack and just enough cell service to update the blog. Fossil was able to chat with his wife in Bend. I felt slightly defeated as it was almost 2pm and we hadn’t hit 10 miles. I feel like once I’m over the 10 mile hump of the day, I’ve made progress. Today it just came later in the after noon.

We were down off that hill by 445 and to the next water, Chimney Creek. At the creek I met ShyGuy (from Pasco, WA) and Diggy (Reno, NV). We also ran into PonyExpess, JJ, and Guardian (from Switzerland). JJ had already done 11 miles today but wasn’t liking the heat, so he stayed by the creek most of the day, hydrated and was planning to night hike into Kennedy Meadows as soon as it cooled down.

We signed the trail register at 505 and continued down to our planned site for the night. I had messaged Laura to find out where they were camping but hadn’t heard back. Just before Fossil and I dropped down into Fox Mill Spring, I saw a person and waved. It was Laura. So we took a silly photo and caught up on the last few days over dinner.

We are planning to get up and over this next hill before the sun gets too hot. It’s 4 miles up, then 13 to Kennedy Meadows (with technically 2 more to KM south, where the General Store is located). We are really looking forward to a shower and a non-trail-food hot meal. I’m pretty sure this is the longest stretch that I’ve been out. I think the previous long span was 6 days, this is 7. I thought it was funny today when Pony Express passed me up and he said “how is it that you don’t stink?” I told him I felt like I smell like a port-a-potty but if I don’t stink to him, I must be doing something right. Or maybe guys just stink more.

I finally saw a rattle snake today. I’m just lucky he wasn’t ON the trail, cause he scared the crap out of me.

I’m looking forward to some downtime. So many things to think about before entering the Sierras. Such new territory for me. Certain roads aren’t open yet so there’s a different kind of strategy that I need to figure out when I resupply through there. The next few days will be very useful. Until next time, good night!

5.7.2018

Well the day started like the last few, that is I wake up with the sunrise and shortly thereafter I hear Fossil’s alarm. Cruise was still tucked in his tent when we walked off. Just as we started to head out though, I heard Fossil say “uh oh….” Remember that critter I told you about last night???? Well, I must have pissed him off. His attempt at my food was futile, but his attempt at the wrist straps of Fossil’s trekking poles??? Success. That little marmot chewed both straps off and left no evidence of the crime. Fossil just became one step closer to “ultralight” status.

So we went about our daily walk. Seven miles mostly downhill to Walker Pass Campground. We knew to either expect the faucet to be on (only a slim hope) or we’d have to cross the highway and head down to a concrete cistern to filter from. Well, as the kindness of others always shines through when you least expect it, today we found Nancy and Mike. They have been parked for a few days at the CG doing trail magic. Mike was actually gone when we arrived, as he had taken a hiker into Lake Isabella for some foot care. Nancy welcomed us with drinks and food and a shady spot to chill out. It was barely 10AM and we had planned to eat a late breakfast but the trail magic turned into a long lunch. I ate a danish, fresh watermelon, a ham & cheese sandwich and drank a Snapple and a Gatorade. See what happens when you put food in front of hungry hikers!!!! She also provided plenty of jugs of clean fresh water–so no I never drank the sulfur tasting water. So we were there for about 2 hours, time sure flies when you’re putting your feet up like that. Nancy was super nice. She’s a retired nurse. Her husband Mike often does section hikes of the PCT. They both love giving back and boy, are we thankful for them.

The climb after the Campground wasn’t terrible. Just a little hot, but we found a shady spot after the first 2.5 miles to catch a quick break. We had just enough cell service to send out a few quick messages and I updated the blog. After that we still had another 10 miles to go and it was after 1pm already. We powered through the next few miles and made it to Joshua Tree Creek around 630. This is where the glowing water was said to be. We opted to skip that for the day and gamble with a smaller tent site another mile up the trail. We each have about a liter and a half of water with us currently and 3 miles until the next source tomorrow. Easy. The scary thing this evening is that there had been bear activity in these campsites. As tired as I am I know I will sleep but I hate the thought of a bear encounters. I’ve got my whistle ready!

So 21 miles for the day. Kennedy Meadows is getting closer and closer. Laura and her husband Andrew are ahead of just about an hour ago, so maybe I’ll see them in Kennedy Meadows as well. I heard Justin might’ve getting there tomorrow. That guy is doing crazy miles now.

Oh and as of yesterday I have less than 2000 miles to Canada!

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!