PCT Day 8

Day 8

16.5 miles

PCT mile marker 133

Tough day, lots of climbing. Wanted to push for 22 miles, but once I started descending it was incredibly painful on the feet. I was being less the productive putting miles on and doing no damage then good to my feet. So I pulled off trail once I found a stop to fit my tent on a dry river bed.

Great views made all the climbing worth it! I actually prefer to climb then descend.

Hope to make it to Paradise Valley Cafe tomorrow. That's 21+ miles. Water stops are closer together so I'll have less weight to carry. 

Midday rest stop

Hanging at trail angel Mike's 

PCT Day 7

Day 7

16 miles

1500 ft elevation gain

PCT mile marker 115

Wow, it's hard to believe I've been at this for a week now. Honestly I am enjoying almost every moment of it. If it wasn't for my feet, I wouldn't have a care in the world. I love setting up camp in a new place every night, experiencing this world and majestic beauty of the wilderness so few get to experience. I am grateful everyday for this journey.

Today was resupply and shower day at Warner Springs. I was on the trail by 6:30 this morning. As I left camp, I saw Rusty (another thru-hiker) was still there. The 9 miles to town were a little bit more of a struggle on my feet then I would have liked. Once to Warner Springs. I walked the mile to and from the post office to get my resupply box. Then headed to the community center. The Warner Springs Community Center has temporary accommodations for thru hikers for the months of April and May. Serving food, hot showers, and a store of items hikers frequently need. As I arrived to the community center, Rusty was already there. To our dismay it was closed. Totally bummed out we both set up shelter in the shade of an oak tree and waited for the heat of the day to pass. Luckily there was an outdoor electrical outlet, so I was able to get everything recharged. I found a hose and made a makeshift bucket out of a recycling bin to soak my feet. Despite no shower I did wash my hair. It felt amazing washing my head and hair with cold water.

The closed community center 

Fueling up

Camping out in the shade

Keeping those feet and legs elevated.

After reorganizing my pack with all my new resupplies and food. And getting rested up I headed out for a few more miles this evening around 5pm. The disadvantage of coming out of town with all new resupplies, your pack is HEAVY. I also had 17miles to the next reliable water supply and was loaded down with water too, I managed and made it to camp. Tomorrow morning will be lighter as I will leave camp only with the 2L of water I need to get me through to the next water supply in 11 miles.

Camp for the night.

PCT Day 6

Day 6

19.5 miles

2182 elevation gain

PCT mile marker 101

Woohoo!!! I hit 100 today. I was actually pleased that the heat did not seem horribly bad today. This is the 3rd day in a row of pure desert hiking with no shade. 

I got my earliest start so far 6:50am. Still trying for 6am start time, I'm not one to immediately jump out of bed when I wake up. And I have a process in the morning of packing things up...it's a learning curve...I'll get there soon. 

Today was a breakthrough with the feet...no tape or bandages...blisters are healing. Hiked 1st 10 miles into the 3rd gate water cache. I rested in the shade and ate and drink for about an hour then pounded out another 4 miles, after that things got tougher, it was the heat of the day and my feet again were starting to hurt. Rested at mile 15, then after that I just pushed through to hit mile marker 100. Yippee!!! And then called it a day at Barrel Spring, mile 101. Rusty, another thru-hiker who I met yesterday as I was leaving Scissors Crossing, pulled into camp shortly after me this evening.

I have to give a huge shout out to my brother, Adam. He was reading my Facebook posts about my feet and stepped up ordered me a new pair of socks and 1/2 size bigger shoes, which will be waiting for me at mile 151, Paradise Valley Cafe.

Resting in the shade at 3rd Gate Cache

Selfie at 3rd Gate

3rd Gate Cache

Barrel Springs, spring fed trough

PCT day 4

Day 4 

21.4 miles 

2200 ft of elevation

PCT mile 68

Came into camp just trashed, legs, feet, and me dead tired. Pushed the mileage to camp at a water source. Today was the first real day of desert elements. All day sun, no shade the entire 21 miles. Put up tent and crashed. Trail mix for dinner no energy to filter water and cook. Heard my first rattler today...he was behind me and I ran quickly a few steps when I heard it. Looked back but didn't see him. Later crossed paths with a 2nd snake...gopher? 

Morning view 

Sure happy to find this cache to resupply water, instead of having to filter from here:

Day 5

Day 5

13.5 miles

1600 ft elevation

PCT mile 82

After coming in last night in so much pain and useless for anything but to set my tent up and lie down. I decided to let myself rest and not get up early to push high miles. My feet were the source of my pain and my legs were compensating for my feet so my entire lower half of my body was trashed. I did figure out that one of the pair of socks I was switching out back and forth may have been the main culprit. I have 2 of the same brand of socks one is super thin and the other is slightly padded. The padded ones are no good for my feet. The challenge now is keeping my feet dry with one pair of socks and nothing to switch back and forth between during the day. The drawback to desert hiking, even my feet are sweating tons, the benefit take my socks off put them on a rock in the sun and they're dry again in less then 5 min. So until I can acquire another pair of socks, this should do the trick.

I woke up this morning actually feeling much better then I thought I would. Got a late start didn't start hiking until 8:30 and hiked the 9 miles to Scissors Crossing, PCT mile marker 77. I am now in full-on desert hiking, hot, no shade, and hot, hot, hot, did I say hot. No more late starts for me, early rising is key... Hike to the midday heat, rest several hours and go back out late a afternoon.

The road to Julian

Putting the feet up at Scissors Crossing

Scissors Crossing under a hwy bridge

So I pulled in to Scissors Crossing and rested for several hours, before heading back onto the trail. As I was leaving another thru-hiker, Rusty, was coming in, we chatted for a few and then I took off.

 Had a beautiful evening hike which climbed 1000ft into the San Felipe Hills, where I set up camp, with a beautiful view of the horizon.

Campsite view 

Gourmet camp dinner!

 Little lighter on the mileage today but am listening to my body, after yesterday and the desert heat, playing it smart and learning the elements and what's going to work for me.

PCT Day 3

Day 3

17 miles

Elevation Gain 2916

PCT mile 47.5

Pretty tired to write much today. Feet seem to be fairing better. Stopped in Mount Laguna for lunch had quite the tasty burger and salad, and topped it off with a Mexican Mocha for dessert. Had a little bit of light rain during the last 1/2 mile of my hike tonight and during camp set up. Going to be chilly tonight. Last night got down to 36 degrees at 4100ft and tonight I'm camped at 5500ft. Here's some pictures of my day.

   Mount Laguna Area

   Pine House Cafe Mt Laguna

   Chariot Fire 2013 burn area

Day 2

Day 2

13 miles

2398 Elevation gain

Lake Moreno to Cibbets Flat Campground

Hit the trail at 8:45 this morning. Intended on an earlier start, but first I needed to tape my feet then I ended up spilling a liter of water in my tent, which needless to say, my clothes got washed earlier then I thought they would. 

    Feet taped up.

   And heading out.

Just as I was heading out 2 little boys ran over to tell me their dad was making breakfast burritos and wanted to know if I wanted one, I declined but was gracious for the offer. I was unsure how today would go with my feet and blisters. I was pleased that the first 6 miles went well, tape job seemed to be holding my feet up just fine...so I thought I'd be able to pull off 18. But by mile 11 my feet were slowing me down...I stopped at Fred's Canyon to rest for a while and decide what to do. I pulled my sock off my right foot and it was apparent the right heel blister was getting worse as there was a large bubble under the tape. I doctored it up a bit and decided to call it a day. I hiked up out of the canyon and pulled off the trail at PCT mile 32.6 and hiked down another 0.6 mile to Cibbets Flat Campground.

Earlier in the day I had prayed for trail magic as things were getting tough, magic greeted me at the campground. A fresh crisp cold apple was brought to me by a man that directed me where to go earlier when I arrived at the campground. Then when I was getting cleaned up in my tent, I had a full on dinner brought to me by a family camping next to me. I was overwhelmed with gratitude, I didn't realize how soon ordinary people would become trail angels in my book. These gestures made a day that was going tough worth every bit!!! 

    Hwy 8 bridge over PCT

    Random bus stop in the middle of no where 

   Hand delivered dinner.