Day 42

Golden oaks spring to Robin birds spring - 20.1 miles

Total - 603.3 miles

Last night sucked. I chose probably one of the worst spots to set up my tent as there was limited space. I’ve realized I don’t mind sliding down my tent but sliding to the side is my literal hell. I woke up so many times either from the wind (shocker) or from sliding. At one point I just chose to cold ass floor of my tent and then used my pad to keep me in my spot so I didn’t roll off into the side of my tent. So brutal. I woke up at 5 to my alarm and packed quickly as we had 20 miles and I kinda just wanted to hike by myself ahead of the group. Normally they catch up but I wanted to go as long as possible. The leap frogging shit is so frustrating. Plus there were a ton of people behind us that I also didn’t want to leap frog. It also was a 20 mile water carry so I initially took 5 liters but quickly dumped the liter in my cnoc as I was hurtin. The beginning of the day was quite pleasant with rolling inclines and great views of the wind mills and minimum wind. There were surprisingly a lot of trees. We are starting to see a transition from desert to the sierras which is exciting! Weirdly tho this section sucks for water as there are long water carries and we also have to rely on caches. Very strange section. I stopped for a snack and a rest around the 10 mile marker and I hadn’t see anyone from our group yet which was rare as usually they rip right past me. Caleb then followed and convinced me to have lunch at 9:30am before we pushed the last 9 miles of the day. I ended up leaving before them to try and get the elevation done for the day so they wouldn’t have to see me struggle. The elevation was surprisingly hard as we have been blessed with switchbacks but this mile was straight up hill which sucked ass. I as to take mini breaks and it was hot and it sucked. The flies kept coming by my face which just pissed me off more. One flew into my wet face and died. Deserved it honestly. The section was in and out of trees and grassy meadows which a pleasant surprise. There was a big blow down section which tweaked my hip again which made it hurt slightly for the rest of the day. I then pushed the last incline which was a dirt road. It went by a boarded up cabin which had a ton of far out comments trolling about honey buns. No honey buns to be see though I didn’t check. It also had the gods Ten Commandments or something like that (idk I’m not religious) it was the one that stated “thou shall not steal.” Those ones but I forget what they are called. It was also Christmas themed? Again so strange. I pulled up to the water source around 1pm (you should be impressed) and was surprised to see like 30 people all posted up. Some new faces but also some old ones like rock licker, and Ben from Boston aka patient zero (we’ve seen him so many times since like the hot springs). Talked with them for a little bit and got some more tea from the bar night in tehachapi. Apparently rock licker aka the birthday boy had thrown up outside the bar. To make up for it he went back the next day and gave them a $20 for whoever had to clean it up. Also apparently Caleb had stepped in it. Disgusting. I also performed the best Irish goodbye as no one saw me leave. Exactly how I like it. I’m mysterious….anyway I napped a lil next to Marc who also napped. And we just lounged around until dinner. We met this 9 year old girl who is doing the pct with her dad but also did the AT with her dad awhile ago. The girl is going to triple crown by the time she turns 12 I swear to god. For anyone who doesn’t know triple crowning means you do all the major trails including the Appliachian, pacific crest, and the Continental divide trails. She goes by mountain lion and was acting like one the entire time we were talking with her. She pounced on all of us and killed all of us. Caleb then played fetch with her. I didn’t really know how to handle the situation so I was hella awkward. I also almost roasted her for liking creepers in minecraft. Anyway, we wrapped up today with a foot bath in the spring and a good shit…as it should be. Got a somewhat good spot for sleeping, not ideal as it’s still slanted but it will do. Since the water is ass our plan for tomorrow is either go 14 or 29 miles and I think we all agreed to do 14. Then we will do 15 miles the next day and then 20 into lake Isabella off trail and hitch into there. I’m trying to speak it into existence that we get on a boat on lake Isabella with some beers on Memorial Day. I bet we can beg and someone will take pity on us. Please everyone pray to your god for me that we get on a boat. Plus again we got time as DAD IS COMING JUNE 3rd!!!!! Super excited to have some family on trail. Love that man. Ready to kick his ass on trail!