The Trail Provides

Fri 6/16 Day 36

• I felt really bummed out at not getting to see David and Beth, Captain Planet and Flask in Tehachapi.  I hadn't seen CP and Flask since the day I came off trail to go to doctor and hospital.  And I hadn't seen David and Beth since Big Bear City
• Today in Mojave, I couldn't decide whether to take a zero today and get on the trail tomorrow, or to just go ahead and get back on the trail today
• Becky suggested a nap.  Nap interrupted by a call.  Becky trying to nail down where to send Lone Pine resupply.  I settled on the Hostel as it is likely the be on Saturday or Sunday.  
• Then I was ready to get in some miles, heat and all.  Mojave was 107* today.  Not very inviting hiking conditions. But I felt "pressure" to get back on.  Another day on town life and my hike could be over. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Quick shower, pack loaded and a ride to the bus stop by the motel.  The motel made the offer, I didn't "ask." The driver, a nice woman, even let me get a Subway sandwich for dinner
• Back on the PCT at 5:55 pm.  Very hot, but it's not a race.  Slow and steady was my thinking.
• After two miles of flat, began a 2000 ft climb. 
• I was several hundred feet into the climb when I heard laughter and, "hey! look, it's Kevin!"
• I found a place to pull off the trail and wait.  I was in disbelief as Flask, Captain Planet, David and Beth, and a young couple I didn't know came to me.  Reunion! The trail provides. 
• Then I met a trio of hikers, all young--two women and a man.  Now I'm looking for a campsite. Moments later, the Trio yelled at me.  I went to where they were and saw a fort built in and around a juniper tree.  Great shelter from the wind.  The trail provides
• Started 566.5 Ended 570.86
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Sat 6/17 Day 37

• Left camp at 4:15 am.  Darn it, I wanted to be traveling by 3:45.  Made it to Golden Oaks Spring, PCT mile 583.3, before 10:00 am.  Brother and sister from Germany--Wrong Way and Lizzy.  He started at Campo on May 24.  He's traveling FAST!  Today is Lizzy's first full day on the PCT. 
• At 11:00 am I pushed ahead to 585.87--a shady spot with trees.  I hope to get to at least 592
• At Golden Oaks Spring, one hiker said today was his 2 month anniversary.  I am traveling faster than some.  
• Supposed to be 110*F in Mojave today
• To get my miles I needed to hike in the heat.
• I did this from Golden Oaks 583.3 to camp at 592.8
• Easy pace to not sweat too much
• Hiked in about three mile stints until I found shade
• Shaded up, drank, ate, had shoes and socks off.  Even had a short nap in one shady spot
• Started 570.86 Ended 592.8--about 22 miles
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Not bad for an old duffer with a heavy pack
• I have hiked almost 600 miles in two pairs of Darn Tough Wool Socks.  They are "darn tough,"  but no sock is up to the task of lasting a 2660 mile  thru-hike.  I'll need to send Becky my blue socks in Lone Pine, and I'll need to keep a watchful eye on the grey socks. 
• I just talked to Flask, Captain Planet, David, and Beth.  It is really good to reconnect with friends.  I think the world of both couples. 
• Day hiking today besides me were three from Germany--Wrong Way and Lizzy--the brother/sister team, and Simon.
• Sun is down, pleasant temperature.  I hope the temp drops 15-20 degrees at least.  I sleep better when it is cool
• Typical end of the day--my knees are growling at me and I'll likely have "leg twitches" for a couple of hours after crawling in the sack.  Sleep will be in short stretches with star-grazing in between.  Not a bad life.  If I stay off my feet and legs, my recovery is remarkable.  If I haven't said it before, our bodies are truly a miracle. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Sun 6/18 Day 38 Started 592.8  Ended at Kelso Valley Road and water cache 615.8 12 miles

• Even more than in other areas, the hiking is centered on water.  If the water cache is good at mile 630, we are in great shape for water
• Just had a great reunion with Holly, Jesse, Gilbert, and Brett.  They said CP, Flask, Beth and David will be coming soon. 
• Didn't get to see CP, Flask, Beth, and dAvid

Mon 6/19 Day 39

• Left camp at 3:45 am.  Hiked from Kelso Valley Road, water cache at PCT mile 615.9 to Bird Spring Pass water cache at 630.2.  Tough fifteen miles--hot, loose, sand on uphill crawl (cruel PCT joke)
• I want to get 6-10 more miles today, but not sure how
• Afternoon hiking would be insanity times 10!
• All the thru-hikers at Bird Spring Pass are saying the last fifteen miles might be the hardest yet.  Loose sand on uphills is tough going and slow.  
• Left the water cache just before 6:00 pm  Ended 634.86 19 miles
• A few hardy hikers hiked all afternoon.  I don't see how, it was darn hot today and no shade. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Tues 6/20 Day 40

• The day started early, my altimeter watch has a number of different screens.  The watch wasn't on my usual screen.  I left camp thinking it was 4:22 am.  It took a while to realize I actually left camp at 3:22 am.  (Becky here, there are certain times of the day that should never be experienced twice in the same day.  This is one of them.) I made it to McIver Spring by 8:00 am and to Walker Pass a little after 11:00 am. 
• The day was extremely hot again, so no afternoon hiking.  I left Walker Pass Campground at 5:00 pm and made it to camp about 7:45 pm
• Started 634.86  Ended 656.88  22 miles.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Wed 6/21 Day 41

• Left camp at 4:13 am.  Beautiful night, billions of stars
• Old Dogs For many days I've seen hikers in their 20s and 30s.  The lone exception has been me.  Today I hiked to the second saddle and there was Tankdriver, age 56 from Holland.  Then camped at first water was Lester, 58, from Poland.  I had not seen Lester since mile 151, Paradise Valley.  No old dogs except me.  Then there were three of us. 
• After the water at 670--Spanish Creek, I moved on at 11:00 am.  It was hot and getting hotter.  I moved slowly, shaded up when I could.  About 1:00 pm I made it to a different saddle and shaded up for the afternoon.  PCT mile 672.8
• It was hot going and there was a ton of climbing, and more to come.  Amazing--45 minutes after I made it to the saddle, Tankdriver shows up, and then an hour later, Lester came.  Three old dogs at Saddle (mile 672.86)
• I think I am a bad influence.  they never would have hiked on in the heat. 
• I'll move on around 5:00 to 5:30 pm to make it to the next water at 680.  Made it to the next water--eight miles of hiking from 4:10 to 7:15
• Because of bugs, I set up the tent. Tent provides personal space and protection from insects.  But I hate the tent.  I like cool night air and stargazing and the freedom of cowboy camping. 
• Last night was the night from hell.  I was so dirty, sticky and totally uncomfortable in the tent, as it was hot and stuffy.  Becky includes wipes, and wet towels. But I needed gallons of water (a shower) and I needed laundry.  No sleep until after 1:30 am and then only  a few winks.  
• Started at 656.86  Ended 680.8 (24 miles)
• 22 miles to Kennedy Meadows.  The day will start with a 2300 foot climb. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Thurs 6/22 Day 42

• Left camp around 3:30 am  Made it to Kennedy Meadows at 2:00 pm
• Started 680.8  Ended 702.2  21.4 miles
• When hikers approach the Kennedy Meadows store, there is a round of applause.  It is considered an accomplishment to make it to Kennedy Meadows as it ends Southern California and begins Central California