Written Wednesday, 12 May 2021

Don't skip leg day!

Every day is leg day on the PCT, but today was a special leg day. If you could combine leg day with a Murph, today was that kind of day.

I had a crummy night of sleep, due mainly to the fact that I opted to cowboy camp right on a pointy rock that kept poking me in the buttocks. I was kind of hemmed in on both sides and I was also in that kind of sleep stupor where I wanted the poking to stop, but I didn't want to move from under my quilt.

Let's be honest here: I'm not very good at this.

I was up by about 0250. Are breakfast, packed my stuff, pounded more than 2 liters from the water cache, and started up the Trail by 0320, with my headlamp on.

Today's hike began with a 5,000 foot climb.

Yes. 5,000.

Over about 17 miles. With no water sources until the top.

I won't bore you with the step-by-step description of the climb. Suffice it to say that it was upward. The sun came up in the way, and there were some good views (see pix above). We moved back up into the transitioal forest, which was nice, and I didn't even think about water for the first 11 miles of the trip.

I only thought about water at all when I stopped to chat with a hiker who was packing up after a night on the hill. He asked me if I had enough water to get me to the top of the pass, and I told him I had 4 liters, and I thought it would get me there.

I moved on, but about anoty half mile up the Trail, the same hiker caught up with me and said, "Hey, did you say you have 5 liters of water? Uhm, I'm completely out. Could I buy some from you?"

Of course, I said no. I just traded him a full water bottle for an empty one.

After that, no more human interaction until I got to the top, just an endless upward grind (back into the beautiful transition zone forest).

I topped out at almost exactly 1000 at Guffey Camp, where I thought I would stay tonight, but it was quite windy and I decided to hike another couple of miles down hill to Blue Ridge Camp which turns out to be very nice, not very windy at all, and almost entirely deserted.

I took a nice nap, ate a lot of food from my food bag, and talked to some day hikers who came through and wanted to know about hiking the PCT.

About 1730, Top Rock showed up, having gone through the sane thought process as me (avoid the wind). After he set up his tent, we ate dinner. I'm cowboy camping again tonight, of course.

Into town tomorrow, but I'm safe, dry and warm tonight.

Remember: don't skip leg day.

Miles hiked today: 19.9 Total Miles Hiked: 367.1

Sea Otter Fact of the Day: Sea otter pups are born with a specialized fur coat called the natal pellage that makes it impossible for them to sink. They bob on the surface of the water like corks (when they are not resting on top of their mothers).

Written Thursday, 13 May 2021

Short day, short entry.

Top Rock and I slept in this morning, and neither of us hit the Trail until about 0700.

For the first time on this hike, I forgot to fire up the GPS tracker so those of you who follow my breadcrumb trail will see a gap. Apologies.

The hike down to the trailhead at Inspiration Point was short but even this morning we saw some great views of (I think) Mount Baldy and Mount Baden-Powell, two of the tallest peaks in the San Gabriels.

Even bette, Bear the trailhead, we found some trail magic in the form of Pabst Blue Ribbon left for hikers. Beer for breakfast? Yes, please.

At the trailhead, we turn toward town, hoping for a hitch, but we don't see a car going our direction for over an hour. Luckily, the first car that does come by stops to pick us up and carry us the remaining 4 miles into Wrightwood where we are now ensconced at the Canyon Creek Inn.

Got some key things done today (besides a gigantic breakfast at the Grizzly Cafe), the most important of which was picking up my replacement shoes which I mailed from home over 3 weeks ago to meet me here.

I honestly stretched the old shoes too far, and they had begun to disintegrate over the last 100 miles. I got the new ones in the knick of time (see comparison above). If you look closely, you can see my left Big toe sticking out of the massive hole in the upper if the old shoes.

As Top Rock and I are doing some chores this afternoon, Peanut Butter and Jack show up, and they are staying just 3 doors down.

The Ambassadors are about 30 miles back.

Zero day tomorrow here.

I am safe, dry, and warm tonight.

Miles hiked today: 2.2 Total miles hiked: 369.1

Sea Otter Fact of the Day: While mother sea otters forage for food, they frequently wrap their pups in kelp to keep the pups from floating away.