Daily Miles: 16.9
Total Miles: 24.7
The day I have been waiting so long for finally arrived. I wish I had gotten to bed earlier last night, but I was able to sleep soundly despite the loud people in the next room and the trains that ran by our hotel blaring their horns at all hours. As soon as my alarm went off there was no snooze button (for the first time since I can remember). I had packed my pack for the most part last night and taken a shower so there wasn't much to do. We were out of the door of the hotel at 5:30 sharp. One quick stop at the gas station for coffee and gas for Scott and we were on our way.
Planning to leave early was a good decision. We made it back to the Highway 58 crossing at about 5:45. It was nice and chilly out, which I knew would not last too long. My goal was to just get up the initial 2000 ft. climb before the sun and heat came out in full force. Another quick picture and lots of thank you's and I was on my way.
I can not thank Scott and Sara enough for not only opening their house to me the last 3 days, but also carting me around town to buy supplies and see family and friends. Not to mention driving me almost 100 miles away to start the trail as well.
And with that, I was off. The first 2 miles were pretty much flat, and even though it was relatively easy, the amount of weight I was carrying pretty much negated that. The weight would get better throughout the day as I drank water and ate some of the food, but it was a culture shock at first. This first section of trail wasn't really trail at this point. It was all reconsrtructed dirt that bulldozers had put into place in the last year after a mudslide took out the trail and covered part of Highway 58 as well. It was actually pretty amazing because you really couldnt tell what had happened even though I had seen pictures all over tv the summer before. After following next to the road for a couple miles the trail finally turned up the side of the mountain right next to a collection of beehives that had been placed there to collect honey.
The trail up the mountain in retrospect was not that bad it just went on forever. At least the PCT believes in switchbacks. On the Appalachian Trail it seems as though every trail bombs right up and down every hill. At about 9:30 I reached the crest of the hill and though I had other climbs today the big one was over.
The trail actually climbed out of the desert and into tree cover, so I was able to find some shady rest spots especially for lunch.
I sat down for lunch at 10:45 AM and I had already gone 10.2 miles.
I had always said the goal on the PCT was 10 by 10AM, though I had never accomplished it before. The trick is to get as many miles early while its cool, then find a good shady rest stop and just chill for 2-4 hours during the heat of the day, then hike until dark stopping somewhere for dinner.
I didn't want to take a long break because today for me getting to camp early was a goal so I could start to get my routine down. This did mean hiking up another 800 ft. hill right when it was the hottest.
In addition to the heat I had another unexpected issue to contend with today. Cicadas.
I have no internet as I write this offline, but when I do I am getting reaquainted with the cicada life cycle. I was hiking through an area today with what seemed like tens of thousands of cicadas and they were all chirping away completely deafening me all day long. In addition, every now and then they would move between shrubs and trees and fly into me and my pack. First day on my own again and I was trying to keep an eye on the ground for snakes and I was getting smacked in the head instead. Referring to their lifecycle I'm not sure the details, but every tree and shrub were covered with dead cicada shells (carcassas). It was a little unnerving.
After another few breaks in the heat of the day, I finally made it to Golden Oaks Spring. It was a trickle but it was a welcome sight. The next water source is 18.8 miles away, and I will need to get to that tomorrow. I debated going 4 or 5 more miles to shorten the hike tomorrow, but after considering it for a little bit I decided I didn't need to do a 20+ mile day the first day back. I will just take my time tomorrow and get there when I do.
There are probably about 12 people camped with me at the spring tonight, and though I have talked to a few, it's gonna take a little while as a LASH (Long Ass Section Hiker) to start fitting into this tight knit group on thruhikers. I just need to hike my own hike and take care of my body.
Speaking of which, the last few miles I was starting to feel a hotspot on my right big toe. This means blister #1 is on its way. After being forced off trail last time with an infected blister, I was quick to wash my feet and put fresh socks on as soon as I got to camp. Gonna see how it feels tomorrow morning and decide if it needs a blister bandage (i brought plenty).
Patch
No comments:
Post a Comment