Day 122

Campsite spring junction to mazama village to lightning spring campground - 25.6 miles

Total - not sure since we are taking the crater rim alternate so imma guess -1831.5 miles

We have never really been beaten out of camp before as we get up early but the couple who also camped with us was out of camp by 5am. Insane. Ben from Boston also got up early and tried to beat us out of camp but we beat him by a minute lol. He thought. I had trouble sleeping last night for no reason. I just kept waking up and then I woke up around 4:20 and was in and out until right before my alarm went off. You would think I would be pissed but I was in a great mood so I have concluded that it’s my alarm that makes me miserable in the mornings. I do think waking up naturally is so much better than being forced awake. Marc and I cruised to the first water source where we were greeted with screams from a wailing baby. It was the infamous family of nine. We haven’t seen them since mile 100. I’m pretty sure they skipped all of Northern California. I hate them though. Why would you bring 7 children on trail. How do you feed them? How do you carry enough water? I know for a fact they don’t want to be out here. I barely do. Joking I love it out here but there are some days I just don’t like. The kids were dirty dirty too. Like everyone gets dirty out here but I make it a mission to clean off what I can in streams and make sure my face is somewhat clean before bed. Dirt was plastered across every little face. The mom looked miserable. Everything the kids are wearing is in tatters. I can only imagine how much this trail is costing them. I was shit talking them at the water source when two of the kids came up. I said what I said but I wish they didn’t hear lol. After the water source we had 11 miles into the village with the promise of cold drinks and ice cream. I had that in my eyes so I was booking it. Marc was keeping up but he continually mentioned throughout the day how fast it was. That boosted my ego for sure lol. It was a lot of in and out of burn zones with the sun blazing down. Just the regular up and downs basically. I bolted the last 11 to make it to the highway by 11am. I road walked into the village and into the gift shop where I bought myself an ice cold coke and ice cream. I sat outside waiting for Marc when I realized he was at the store behind back so I went to go to him. I immediately got to charging all my dead battery packs and garmin. Scrolled a lil in the sun while Marc was responsible and got some chores done. He tapped in to watch the stuff while I took a FREE hot shower using the 18-1 soap. Did the job and then resupplied. The next 4+ hours was laying in the shade, going into the store and buying more drinks, and chit chatting with other PCT hikers. Rocklicker and Ben showed up later at different times. Ben got in at the heat of the day and got a drink. His drink of choice was a liter of 2% milk. Freak. We all chirped him for that. Around 5ish it was time to finish off the day with 8 more miles. Marc and I headed out and climbed the very steep ridge debating about privacy and how the government intervene. I think this is the first time Marc and I have disagreed on a topic so we actually had something to talk about lol. It also stems from different cultures where here in the US we have no privacy while in Germany, they love their privacy. It was a very insightful debate. The climb up to see crater lake sucks but all worth it to see how expansive the lake it. Surprisingly I think this is my first time here. We then followed the rim for awhile going up and down (so so so steep) before descending into camp. Mosquitos are kinda bad for the first time in awhile but nothing like Yosemite. I had a tuna wrap with pepperoni and two packets of ramen. I was so so so so hungry despite drinking and eating so much at the village.

We also caught up to shaman who isn’t doing 40 mile days. Tumbles also caught up and I tried to listen into their conversation but got nothing. She did say from what I hear “when are you going to stop pushing people away” or something along those lines. Trouble in paradise.

I’m starting to get texts from people that want to do trail magic for me and my group. Emma Lennox keeps sending me motivational texts which let me tell you are huge when it’s a bad day. So should out Emma they really mean a lot and keep me going. Both her and my mom want to do trail magic soon and that will be such a motivator as I get to finally see family and friends since my dad came out in the sierras. I miss everyone so much and I’m so excited to be home even for just a zero.