Category: PCT 2018

(5.3.2018)

Mile 549-566

Well, yesterday proved to be one for the books. Maybe it was clearly the noderatly easy terrain. Maybe it was the cooler temperatures. Maybe it was that I set an alarm for the first time in a month in a half. Maybe it was knowing that I had a friend meeting me at the end of the trail. All of that combined proved to be motivation to knock out 17 miles before 1pm yesterday.

The alarm was set for 0530 and I was on the trail by 630am. We did not get snowed on like the forecast had called for but it remained windy all night and of course throughout the day. Our campsite selection did shield us from most of the wind so we were thankful for that.

Tho boys were behind us all day as they slept in a wee bit longer than Laura and I had planned. They eventually caught up to us at Highway 58 where I thought Greg would be waiting. The funny part of yesterday’s story is that I couldn’t wait for the beer I knew he had. The beer I he had already told me he was sharing with other hikers as they came off the trail. For the last 3 miles, I kept turning corners on the trail looking for his truck. I thought I had my eye on it but i had been fooled as what I had been staring at was not his truck. Well, long story short he was providing plenty of Trail magic to hikers at Willow Springs Road–which is an easier hitch into Tehachapi. We unfortunately were waiting 8 miles after that particular crossing. When I finally was able to get ahold of Greg–of course there was no cell service where he was eagerly waiting to get a photo of me–I had to explain that we had already passed that location. It would have been perfect to meet him where he was and I was sooooo glad that he was able to talk and hang with some hikers but I guess I wasn’t clear on our meeting spot.

So, now that Greg and I were finally in contact the boys (now Justin, Fireman, and Seeker) hopped into a car with a trailangel who just happened to be rolling by the Hwy we were at. Laura and I scored a ride from a lady named Roberta who had just dropped off another hiker from town and said she was headed back to Tehachapi. Roberta said she was going to get on the trail angel list for the PCT hikers. She’s been driving Uber as her retirement gig. She said she’d been getting more and more hikers requesting Uber rides that maybe she’d donate some of her time as a trail angel instead of doing Uber. Super nice of her!!!

Roberta dropped us off at Red House BBQ where we met up with the boys. Greg met us there. Mishap in location logistics, it was still an awesome visit with him. After lunch he drove us down to the Best Western were he had secured rooms for us all. After that, he dropped Seeker off at the store, came back, picked up Laura, Pacecar, Tim and myself and drove us to the Post Office to pick up our boxes. THEN he graciously picked up Seeker from the market, brought him back and then again, took the 4 of us there for our own resupply trip. So much running around for Greg but I think he really enjoyed his time as a trail angel.

He ended up leaving while the night was young. I should say this wasn’t the most convenient stop for him as he had driven down from Portland, OR. Tehachapi was a side trip as he is now in Santa Barbara celebrating his birthday weekend with friend there. It was super nice of him to come all the way out to see me and help out how he could. Happy (almost) Birthday Greg, thank you sooooo much for everything!

After that the day was almost complete except for dinner. We walked down to the nearest restaurant and ran into a few other hikers there. Pacecar and her husband were there and Luc showed up! I haven’t seen him in over a week I believe. We also found out that Shrink was in town but not at the same hotel so we wouldn’t be able to see him.

After dinner we all finagled with our overage of food supply. Kennedy Meadows is the next big place to get off trail but it’s also 144 miles away. At 17 miles a day, that’s roughly 8 and a half days before the next town. I’m pretty sure I’m gonna starve. Oh yeah, remember I said I was going to eat EVERYTHING I had before my next resupply? Yeah, well I didn’t. So maybe I won’t starve this time either.

I did purchase more candy this time around. As the miles creep up, I just need more calories. The balance is trying to find calories without the weight and bulk though. A lot of hikers live on Snickers. I went for a few Paydays, Reese’s, butterfingers, and some almond Joy. Variety, I always need variety. So we shall see how this round goes.

Seeker ended up staying the night as well. When we were at lunch he sounded convinced that he was just going into town to eat and resupply. I think he got stuck in the vortex but it was fun to meet an new person. He hiked several sections of the trail last year so it was cool to hear about his past attempt.

It was late when we were finally tucked into bed. We broke hotel rules and finished our laundry after 10pm. We also soaked our feet in the hot tub after hours as well. I’m becoming such a rule breaker!!!!

All in all a good day!

Mile 534-549

I was up way too early today and I’m pretty sure I was up way too late last night. Whatever came of it, I wasn’t super excited to get to hiking today. I think I was dreading the long 4 mile climb at mile 11-15 for the day. Whatever it was I hope it’s gone, cause tomorrow is all downhill to Tehachapi!

I was up early enough to watch the sunrise. It was beautiful. Once I was on the trail, it was really cool to walk through the wind farm. Those things are so huge!!!

Laura and I hiked the first 6 miles before the boys caught us at the water source. The plan was to carry enough water to dry camp this evening and have enough water to descend 16 miles tomorrow. Seeing as the weather had been windy and chilly all morning, we all agreed that carrying less than our normal 3 liters would be okay. Of course, wouldn’t you know it, a hiker heading southbound passed us at mile 13 for the day and told us there was a water cache up top. Well darn… that was a surprise (a good one of course). But those are the times when you wished you had only carried 1 liter.

So we arrived at mile 349 and found the stellar water cache. What a perfect little surprise and a great place to take a break. Laura and I discussed heading down further but the camp sites were sparse further down trail. We found the boys waiting for us just a few feet away at a campsite after our break. We discussed options for tomorrow, set up our tents, and the boys built a fire. The wind is blowing pretty steady. And I pulled the forecast for the area and we might get a touch of snow up here.

We were eventually joined by a couple of girls from Australia and a guy they’ve been hiking with from Kentucky I believe. I had retreated into my tent to cook so I didn’t get the full story.

The plan for tomorrow is an early getup and go. I’m pretty sure I’m going to hike in my sleeping clothes to keep warm. Since I’ll be going into Tehachapi they’ll get washed there anyway. A very good long time friend of mine is going to be waiting for me so I’m going to hustle to town. Should be a fun day.

Mile 517-534

Today was a lazy kind of day to start. We were awake by our normal times which for me is just after 6. I worked on the last bit of yesterday’s blog before everyone else woke up. The 4 of us just hung out in the Sheriffs Hut until 11 o’clock. I kept peeking out of the windows to see if there was any excitement happening but nothing showed up. We then took the shuttle to the Neenach Market. Yawn drove us over. He’s a former hiker. (Is anyone else seeing a pattern in these little town stops???) Along the way we pulled over and picked up Zack from Wisconsin. He had hiked in this morning and was hoping to just grab some lunch and head back out. The timing was perfect as he thought it was only 2 miles off trail to the cafe, it was actually 4 miles so he was thankful for the lift.

When we walked into the cafe we excited ran into Shrink and Farmer (hadn’t met Farmer until today but I’ve crossed paths with him a few times). They had already been talking to a group of older men–who were not hikers. In fact they were the town Mayor, a councilman and the owner of the Cafe, his name was a Richard. Richard is also the owner of HikerTown Hostel. Turns out we got the whooooole story about Richard first bought property in the area years ago. He used to be in the film industry and starting buying up land when this area was pretty much vacant. There had been talk about it being the next growing metropolis. Well the boom didn’t happen but one weekend when Richard and his wife were hanging out on their new property, he said his wife saw a “bunch of hobos” hanging out looking for water. Evidently the previous owner who had passed away was helping the hikers out back then. Richard knew nothing about the PCT. He ended up helping the out that day a later had more water faucets installed along the property. Well, long story short, his wife thought he’d gotten “rid” of them instead of helping them for quite sometime. Eventually she came to understand that these hikers weren’t just hobos. She started learning about their stories and dreams of hiking the PCT and she wanted to help however she could. They eventually started allowing the hikers to camp on their property and eventually started building the little huts that are still there today. Bob who helps to run HikerTown also restocks the water caches at the nearby trail junctions. He keeps the property running and collects donations from the hikers as they come through. And wouldn’t you know it, he was in the film industry too and has won 2 Emmys. All walks of life out here!

After lunch we all piled back into the shuttle. Shrink was planning to stay at HikerTown so he enjoyed his beer while we slowly organized our things and packed up. We knew the day would be somewhat fast as it was pretty much flat for the 17 miles that we covered today. We left HikerTown by 230pm and by 530 we’d covered almost 9 miles. I think the highlight was the time spent in the dark tho. With the full PINK moon this evening and the windmills in the surrounding areas, we actually had a sight most people would never see. Most of our cameras couldn’t capture the moment but I’ll just say it was pretty darn epic.

I should say that the entire Aqueduct wall was pretty easy in comparison to blogs I’ve read in the past. We were lucky to have cooler temps and some breeze today. And the water cache at the end makes it bearable as well. Thanks Bob!!!

We are currently camped near some windmills. The sounds they make are soothing. I’m sure we will all sleep well. Unless I get eaten by an animal…. cause yet again I spilled in my tent. I was told my inside cooking privileges will be taken away soon😆 It was just half the packet of hot chocolate powder but still, it made quite the mess in here.