Category: PCT 2018

5.5.2018

Mile 602-624

so Fossil and I left camp just before 7am. He patiently waited for me as I woke just after 6 and he’d set his alarm for 0530. The plan for the day was to carry water from where we’d camped and make at least 20 miles for the day. We knew (from the water report) that there was a water cache at mile 616. The motto of the PCT is to NOT rely on water caches as they may not be refilled by the time you get there. But with this particular spot we knew we had a backup plan off trail to the Kelso River. Thankfully, our gamble today paid off and the water cache was well stocked. Fossil and I both fill up to our 4 liter capacity as the next water supply is another cache. The next reliable stream is mile 643 which we will most likely make it to tomorrow evening.

As far as the miles were concerned today, the pace was nice. We had 9 miles knocked out by 11am. By checking the first trail register (I should have taken a photo but didn’t, darn) Fossil and I were behind Justin by a mere 30 minutes. I swear this is NOT a race. But his comments were “Karen catch up” … a few names later Tyler had written “She’s not far behind”–as he had just passed me. The comedy out here is unreal. I finally caught up to Justin as he was taking break around 1230. Fossil and I sat for a few minutes and then continued on as I knew Justin was going to catch us anyways and eventually hike more miles in the day. I’m pretty sure he’s camped 4 miles from where I am now. If I don’t run into him tomorrow, I’ll see him in Kennedy Meadows Wednesday or Thursday. I’m pretty sure I will make KM by Wednesday evening if I keep at the mileage I’m doing now.

So the rally cars were kind of a bust. The water cache stop served as an hour and a half daybreak with race entertainment–so we hoped. Not sure how the whole thing worked but we only saw the cars come by once, there was probably about 20 of them and it was the amateur group for sure. We all thought it would be crazy Subaru Rally Sport stuff at high speeds. But hey, who am I to knock someone’s else’s crazy habit right now. Either way, I’m sure those guys (or kids) were having fun in the dirt too.

I was able to meet a few more hikers today while we sat waiting for the rally cars. I talked a bit to JJ (his real name) who carries an American Flag. He served 24 years in the Navy. When you ask him about his flag he had plenty of reasons for carrying it, serious ones for sure, but the funniest being when the wind blows from behind it helps push him up the trail. He calls the flag “Wilson” but I didn’t get a reason why.

I also had a short conservative with Pony Express. Ran into Fireman a few times today. He ran out of water early on in the day and had to go off Trail to find a source. But he just passed our camp about an hour ago so he’s back on track.

I got a message from Laura. She said she’s trying to make it to Walker Pass by tomorrow. That’s mile 651, I think that’s where she is meeting her husband Andrew who will be hiking with her soon. Not sure if she will take a day off but I’m sure I’ll run into them in KM as well.

So after the hour and a half break, we were back on trail at 330. I could tell Fossil was ready to get back to hiking before then, but it was too hot for me. I waited out as much of that sunshine that I could. We still had 8.5 miles before we could attempt to make camp. We were covering 2 miles an hour and stumbled upon a road crossing. JJ, Pony Express, and Wild&Free were hanging out there. To our surprise there was a bit of trail magic. I was lucky enough to grab the last 8oz can of Coke. It went down nicely with the bag of chips that I picked up there as well. The best part was the 6 pack of beer. The worst part was deciding ‘do we drink it now or later?’ As Fossil was just about to open his I said “I think I’m going to enjoy mine with dinner at camp.” I’m pretty sure every guy there thought I was crazy. “But what about the bottle???? You’ll carry it empty!” Yes, yes I will. Fossil took his “to-go” as well.

Fossil and I caught up to JJ, then somehow they let me lead into camp. I must have gotten my second-wind of the day with the thought of camp (and beer) on the horizon. I kinda took off in my usual fashion and made those last 2 miles go by as fast as possible.

Fossil and I set up camp at mile 624. There’s about 6 other hikers here tonight. We had dinner (only the best ramen for us both) and enjoyed our beer together. I shared my cookies for dessert. It was a great way to end the day. The sunset was super pretty tonight and we had an amazing starry night to complete it.

Still feeling good out here overall. The body is tired, altho I would have like to get more miles in this evening, I know it’s best not to complete push past my limits. And knowing me, I’ll fall if I night hike and really dork-up something. We can’t have that. The feet are still mostly blister free and I think I’m eating enough through the day that I’m not losing too much weight… and of course, amongst all the hard miles, I’m still having fun. Hope you’re all doing well! Hope you had a great Cinco!

BTW I don’t think these cows were nearly as friendly as the ones outside of Warner Springs.

Mile 580-602

Well, I didn’t sleep well last night. Probably because I ate 3 pieces of candy before I went to bed. Or maybe it’s because my foam pad is slowly dying–but the new sleep pad will be delivered next week. Either way, I was up before 6. Fossil who had camped near me last night said he’d be awake by 530 and hiking by 630. He said he forgot to set his alarm but the early sunrise helped get him moving. We left mile 580 just before 7am.

I figured I wouldn’t see any of the Trail family today but I was wrong. Fossil and I made it to Golden Oaks Spring shortly after 8 am. Laura was packed and on her way just as I got there. Justin was just breaking down his tent. We both took water from the green mucky pond. I was told if frogs can live in there, the water must be drinkable. Probably the greenest water source I’ve taken from. My filter took on some algae today for sure cause it always comes out crystal clear and I haven’t gotten sick–or turned into a frog for that matter.

Fossil and I hiked most of the day together. He told me about meeting his wife years ago when he used to sail, adopting a child from Romania at the age of 42 and his wife having their own child when he was 45. Says he would have had 5 kids if they could have. Such a nice guy. He’s on the trail until the 17th, he’s hoping to make it to Lone Pine. After that he’s going to do a Pole, Peddle, Paddle race back home in Bend. Then he and his wife will travel to Cuba. He said he’s trying to keep busy this summer. I’d agree!

We were at mile 586 by 1030am where we took a quick snack break with Justin. I felt like my legs were feeling pretty good. We hit 590 by noon and had lunch at mile 593 around 2pm. After that, I felt like the whole day slowed down. The trail climbed a handful of times, but I think I was just slowing down with the warmer temps and steep incline. I had to make it 12 more miles like that or ration water and get to the water source tomorrow morning–BTW I carried 4 liters from 8am and drank almost all of that in 22 miles. I decided I’d make it to the water but knew I’d have nothing left in the tank to go further than that. By the time I made it to Robin Bird Spring, Justin was already cooking up his dinner and it was passed 6pm. I quickly found a spot and setup my tent. Justin hiked on and of course I wish I had too because there’s too many people here tonight. They all just went to sleep tho as it’s “hiker midnight” otherwise known as 9pm.

Justin was headed at least another 4 miles. I’m sure I’ll see him at some point tomorrow. Laura evidently is camped somewhere up Trail too, but I don’t know how far as her Garmin isn’t working too well anymore. Fossil is here though as well as the Canadians (I don’t know their trail names), Tang, SafetySuit, Dirt, Knoxville, Your”High”Ness, and MudToes. Mud Toes ironically enough I met in Warner Springs when Kelly and I stopped there to drop off my resupply box the day before I started on the trail. MudToes started on the 15th of March.

I’m pretty tired tonight. I’m hoping I get some better rest than last night. Another 22 mile day in the books for this kid. And I passed the 600 mile mark just shy of the end of week 6. I’m pretty stoked about that. Tomorrow should be interesting as there is a rally race being held in the area. It will cross the PCT in about 4 different places. There will be guarded crossings so we don’t get run over. Supposedly the race will last until 8pm so we don’t know how camp sites will work within the next 20 miles. Always something new and interesting!!!!

566-580

Town days always go by so fast. Sleeping in felt amazing as always and the continental breakfast helped out hiker hunger this morning. Greg has left me some smoked salmon so that made my breakfast even better.

After breakfast, I repacked my foodbag one more time. My 12×20 LokSak was full to the brim, my “day snack” bag had waaaay too much into for one day and I still had Reese’s peanut butter cups and Triskits that needed a home. I mailed a few food items to my friend Matt who is meeting me in Kennedy Meadows with a few gear items next week. I figured mailing them to him and him bringing them back was better than having to make an extra stop at the post office next week.

We left he hotel by 11 but I wasn’t back on the trail until 1pm. As the 5 of us walked towards Wits End (a hiker resource place) Justin and I spotted a food truck. I wasn’t quite ready for lunch so I didn’t place an order but while Justin and I were standing there, a nice lady parked her car and literally shoved money into Justin’s backpack as we wanted to buy us lunch. The kindness of strangers never quits out here. Or as some will say: the trail provides. It all happened so fast and she wouldn’t take the money back, all she said was that her son couldn’t hike the trail anymore but she still wanted to give to those who could. It was $25 she had given us. We tipped the food truck people with the $5 and donated the $20 to Wits End for all that they do. Laura and Fireman were able to get their boxes shipped from wits end as well as arrange a ride for all of us back to the highway. What goes around, comes around.

Melissa was our trail angel who picked us up from Wits End. Since she couldn’t fit all 5 of us, she took Seeker, Fireman and Laura. Justin and I stayed back — and this is how I’m now separated from them all — but Melissa came back 30 minutes later to give us a ride too. In those 30 minutes tho, Justin went back to the food truck and grabbed a burger for me. Little did I know I was going to be scarfing it down at the trailhead and packing out a 16oz can of Diet Coke. Yup. That happened.

So back on the trail by 1. It was hot, but not too bad. What was bad was climbing the first 7 miles up to 6,100ft. During the climb Justin smoked me per usual. I knew he was planning on 17 miles to the water source–which I knew I’d run out of daylight for and most likely space for my tent by the time I got there. So I planned for my own day of 15ish miles and I’ll make it to eater early in the morning. I’ll just have to make bigger miles tomorrow overall. Water is at miles 583 and then not again until 602. So tomorrow could be a doozy!

I did end up hiking with a guy named Fossil. He’s 72. He’s from Bend, Oregon. He’s retired from a company named General Atomics (If I remember correctly) where he was employee for 43 years. This is his 3rd year section hiking the trail. What a neat guy. We both had a 15 mile plan for the day so we figured we’d end up looking for a spot together for the day. We made it to mile 580 just before 8pm. I’m not sure what I should be more proud of: setting pace for him or him keeping up with me. We had a steady pace all the way up the climb together. We took break together and I downed my Diet Coke–water conservation at its finest. I was surprised how well I had climbed today considering I had 4 liters of liquid (that’s water and Diet Coke) and all that food for the next 8 days.

So it’s almost 10pm now. I wasn’t super hungry so I made a cold tuna wrap and ate some chocolate. Pictures for these blogs will have to wait for another day as the service is once again spotty here. Hope you are all doing well. Keep your fingers crossed, maybe I’ll hit mile 600 tomorrow.