Hiked 18.5 miles, at mile 74.5 Other hikers had selected earlier tent sites with good views. Though beautiful tent sites, they were exposed to an increasingly brisk wind. One after another, I bypassed these exposed sites and hiked on in search of a site that was more sheltered from the wind. I had entered the real desert with cactus and spiny things all around. I soon learned to be careful when laying down my pack. My sitting pad had already picked up some barbs which brushed onto my finger....
Hiked 18.2 miles today, At mile 55.9 I don’t know what I’ve come to, but after 4 days I’m already sleeping under a rock. I’m camping above Oriflamme Canyon and the usual tent spots are taken. I found a small open patch near the edge of a high dropoff. I tried, but couldn’t get my tarp to stay up in the wind, so I moved back under a boulder a little larger than a Ford F350. There, I snuggled up to the side of the rock where there was...
At mile 37.6. Hiked 17.6 miles today. It is hot! I think my main job is going to be to keep from getting overheated. It is kind of hard when there is no shade and you are climbing with a pack loaded down with water. Today everyone was trying to make it to Long Canyon Creek. It was a long climb in the direct sun. From now on, I’m starting very early to avoid the worst of the heat. Also thinking about taking breaks in order to avoid the...
Hiked 15.6 miles today, at mile 20. I saw two shooting stars sleeping under the stars in the mountain desert. Here is a cool photo of my first camp on the PCT taken in the dark early morn. I’ll never get management out of my blood. Today I am reminding myself that I am in this for the long haul. I need to remember to give my body a chance to adapt. I need to establish the right routines early. For example, don’t skip flossing. It's a small thing, but...
