Day 37

Cottonwood creek faucet to Tehachapi - 23.6 miles

Total - 558.5 miles

Woke up feeling horrendous. My hips, knees, ankles, Achilles, and every bone in my feet hurt. We planned on doing 15 miles but clearly we can never stick to a plan. Had a later start (again fueled by 4 ibeprofen and 200mg of caffeine) since we got to camp late. Filled up on water and right as I’m crossing the bridge a gust of wind blew my hat and sun glasses off my head down under the bridge. Brutal start to the day and set up the tone for the day as well. Climbed down to grab my glasses despite contemplating for at least a minute if I should just leave them but I didn’t want to buy new ones. Which is crazy that that was my main reason and not leave no trace. I then started the long trudge through the wind farm. Brutal. Snot was flying out of my nostrils, I was drooling down my chin as the wind sucked the soul out of me whenever I tried to breath out of my mouth. My entire arm sleeve was covered in snot like an iPad baby. My hair was practically dreaded from the wind whipping it around. I was basically fighting with an invisible hand to my forehead pushing me back while my arms are flailing around punching nothing. I hate wind. Love clean energy tho. I hiked with gourmet pretty much the entire 7 miles to the first water source and he was struggling but probably not as much as I was. We got to the water source and I begged to skip the last 8 miles to the end of the map as we could either exit to Tehachapi from cottonwood creek springs or one 8 miles later. Everyone agreed thankfully to skip. We also planned to just go to Tehachapi today as it would be too windy to set up any tents and then it meant we could double zero again which I desperately needed after 4 nights, 5 days of 114 miles roughly. After we fueled up at the water source it was an easy rolling hill climb to our biggest climb of the day. It was cool to look down at the Aquaduct thinking we most likely have beat the wind. We didn’t. The climb wasn’t too bad but my entire left leg was hurting from the downhill. Big fan of uphill as it doesn’t fucking hurt to just exist like downhill does. There were a lot of false summits as just as I thought we made it, I was greeted with another climb. Again wasn’t awful but it wasn’t fun. Once we got to the top there was an oasis that a trail angel sets up that isn’t marked on FarOut. It had water thankfully (it would’ve been like a 25 mile carry without it) and snacks and cold oranges. Best orange I’ve ever had. We chilled there for awhile. I wasn’t feeling great - it wasn’t heat exhaustion as it wasn’t too hot and I didn’t feel overheated. I was just feeling slightly nauseous for some reason but it went away after awhile. Then we headed out for our last ten miles of the day. The most brutal miles I’ve had for awhile. I was behind the group as my feet were hurting like a bitch. Every step I took the new blisters that had formed from the shoe change om each side of my heels felt like nails being stabbed into my heel, over and over and over again. The first 4 we’re not that awful as it was rolling hills and sheltered from the wind but then we entered the gates of hell…Another wind farm. I was basically being thrown like a rag doll against the slopes of the mountain. I was walking side ways at one point to brave against the wind. And just when you think you have your stance under control and strong the wind lets up and your left shoulder plummets into nothing and you stumble trying to catch yourself before falling off the cliffs edge. I looked drunk trying to walk. I had everything locked down and I still didn’t trust it, worrying something from my pack would fly off. Gusts had to be in between the 40-60 mph range. I was in such a FOUL mood with tears almost streaming down my face and curse words flying out which no one could hear as the wind took up every ounce of my hearing. I was fucking pissed the fuck off and I still had 4.5 miles left to go. The worst part was you could see a road just below you that looked so much more sheltered than the trail which was at the base of all the wind turbines. Who put the trail here. Why couldn’t they move it or place it ANYWHERE ELSE. I caught up to a guy and we were struggling but he didn’t see me. At that point I wanted to just be done so I had to scream to him “EXCUSE ME” which made him jump so high that I actually felt bad. I should’ve just let quiet lol. After I passed him, I ran. I felt so fast honestky even if I wasn’t. The wind would be at your back for 200 feet and then you would turn and then get face fucked creating a slobber fest with boogies and drool (sorry for all the cursing but idrc as I was so pissed off and it’s the only way for you guys to get it). I ran the last 2.5 miles down to the road where I was greeted with more wind but less intense. I truly cannot convey enough how miserable I was. We immediately caught a hitch into Tehachapi with no plan. We texted a whole bunch of trail angels explaining we were a day early and was hoping to get a space in their yard. Luckily Jenny answered and we were able to walk over. Again I was in a foul mood so everyone was feeling it. Good thing everyone else was also kinda in a shitty mood. I was just sad and angry and moody and annoyed and frustrated and sad (again). Not my best moments. We got a hitch from a guy and he loaded us up into the bed of his truck which he drove into town. I was farthest from the front so I was whipped with guess what? More fucking wind. He was super nice and though for giving us a ride. We then hopped over to Jenny’s and met a whole new group of people. A whole new bubble. We had been so used to our bubble that it was so weird to meet new people from different dates. Everyone was super welcoming and friendly but I was not in the mood to make conversation so I quickly retreated to make dinner and go to bed. There wasn’t much space as there were a ton of people camping and Jenny is a newer trail angel so she’s still figuring everything out. This was her first week of hosting. It was a great spot but the water heater was out so cold showers and there wasn’t a sink but everything else was great. Better than out in the middle of nowhere so we will take anything. Everything feels like luxury now. The night wa surprisingly cold and with the house being close to a train station I didn’t sleep the best. Again better than wind. Woke up in a way better mood.

Last night I was texting Ella seeing where her group was as we heard them pass us at our campsite and I was wondering if she made it to town. The group did but she also informed us that they had come across a person who had died while in trail. Which is terrifying, traumatizing, and so so so so sad. She didn’t give much details as we plan on meeting up at the all you can eat buffet later but she mentioned that he might have shot himself in the head. I couldn’t imagine coming across that so I hope their group is doing okay. Will keep everyone updated.

A very wild few days and exhausting days. We are double zeroing again plus we have all the time in the world to hike the last 136 miles before June 3rd when my dad comes to join us so we are taking our time now.