91.2 campsite - 109.6 Warner Springs

Warner Springs at last!  Today was an epic day.  I'm relaxing here at the community center.  It's more trail magic.  The town is closed so the community stepped in with supplies & hot food that we can purchase here & rest from the heat.  So, today was a day of firsts.  I hit 100 miles, I saw the first trail icon Eagle Rock, I put in my first big miles at 18.8, and I completed section A.  I'm tired.

Once again I hiked solo.  Im between a large group of hikers two days ahead & the herd that started at KO.  It's just me and a handful of stragglers.  When I'm alone I think about family, friends, flying, dancing (apparently we have a new west coast swing routine). And sometimes I sing, have conversations with a wandering beetle, or sing silly songs.  I'm continually in awe of the changing landscape.  The desert gradually gave way to shady trees, tall grasses, creeks & open fields.  I saw cows!  Lots of cows.  I will camp near town tonight as I have my first resupply box to pick up from the post office in the morning.  Right now there's a hiker playing a guitar.  It's very relaxing & a great end to the day.

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Scissors Crossing 77.2 - 99.2

I'm sitting in my tent in camp. It's dry and warm so I could have cowgirl camped but my tent needed to dry out. This post is about trail angels & trail magic.  I got a lift back to the trail this morning from Early Girl & Water Boy. They're from WA.  They treated me to a scrumptious breakfast in Julian, then on to the trail at 10 am.  They're angels.  More trail magic is the water cache at mile 91.2, 14 miles away.  Without it, the closest water would have been 23.8 miles away.  So I'm very grateful to the angels who put it there.  Not to mention my friend Craig who drove from San Diego to give myself & 3 others a ride to KO.

It was a beautiful day in the desert.  I saw two horny toads.  I saw some different cactus in bloom as well.  I felt strong today and my confidence is growing.  If it weren't for the 6 ticks I killed it'd be a perfect day! Goodnight desert.

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Kickoff

Kickoff has been great.  I was reunited with friends I had made those first few days who had hiked on ahead of me.  I made new friends.  Everyone was swapping stories of their hike.  All of us are anxious to get back on the trail. There were informative classes - PCT flora & fauna, mountaineering skills, Bears, Trail cooking and more.  In the evenings we had trailside readings and watched video clips of the trail. Fun!  My trail name has evolved.  My fellow hikers gave me a new one.  I'm still Helicopter, but, because of my "crashing & burning" in the beginning of my hike I'm now known as Black Hawk Down.  I pick up my hike in the morning from scissors crossing.  Yay!

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Trail Life

Since I won't be hiking again til Sunday I thought I'd write a bit about what its like on the trail.

First a few principles: Take care of your feet (foot powder, taping hotspots, changing socks), Don't walk and look at your gps/map at the same time, Know where the water is, Carry enough water & drink it, Plan ahead but be in the moment, Look out for other hikers, When hitching smile at people going the opposite direction as they might pick you up on their return, & eat.. a lot.

It is entertaining to listen to a conversation between thru hikers. We talk about our blisters and rashes, sore muscles, have they hiked the trail before & if so how much, how many miles did they do that day, where did they camp or going to camp, where are they from, how'd they get here & what's for dinner. Everyone compares gear. 

All types of people hike the trail. College grads, hippie types, retired couples, professionals, and the average Joe or Jane. A lot of people quit their jobs with nothing to go back to.  I met a hiker who is on his 7th attempt. 8 years ago he was told he'd be in a weelchair in two years. Instead he threw on a backpack. Every year he gets farther & has done over 700 miles of the PCT. He's got metal in his back & lots of pain, yet pushes on.  Inspirational. These people become your 'family' and the trail is your 'home'. Your job is to hike it.  Right now, at this 'crossroads' in my life, there is nowhere else I want to be. There is nothing else I want to do. This is it. 

Blacksnake left this morning. He is not going to kickoff. I was tempted to keep hiking with him.  But there are some good workshops sceduled this weekend and I mat learn some things that will make a difference later on. So I will go and learn as much as I can, meet other hikers, and have a good time. Plus they're going to feed us.  Yay!

Speaking of food, my favorite trail food right now is tuna and cheese it crackers.

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Zero Days

A zero day is a day with no hiking. I haven't had one yet. Every day I've done 10-16 miles with the exception of the 9 miles to Mt Laguna. I had planned to continue hiking to Warner Springs today at mile 110. I have a ride there to take me to the kickoff and orientation weekend at Lake Morena. I would then ride back Sunday to the trailhead. However, there is rain coming in today and possible thunderstorms. I also woke up very sore. So I'm taking a zero day. I'll get to kickoff from Julian. My body will thank me. I'll be stronger for it. And I want to be sucessful at doing the whole trail. I love it. It was a hard decision to make because I really want to push on. But I'm trying to be smart and make good decisions. I'm happy, and going to read a book, eat lunch at 'Moms' (free lunch for thrus if you sign the wall), and visit with the locals and hikers.

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Day 7 Rodriguez Spur 68.4 - Scissors Crossing 77.6

Today has been a leisurely day. 10 miles to Scissors. Just yesterday it was 110 degrees at the crossing. Today it was high 70s and a breeze. So we made it down in 3 hrs. On the PCT you pass through many different eco systems, and each trail town has its own unique character. I wish I was more knowledgeable about what I'm seeing.

Did my first hitch into Julian 13 miles up the mountain today with 3 others. It's a touristy mountain town. Laundry, shower, food, treat blisters, & life is good. I'm splitting the cost of the room.

A conversation between me & a biker on a Harley:  Biker -"Hi, you hiking?" Me -"yea how are you?" Biker -"well, where ya hiking too?" Me -"Canada." Silence...

I'm feeling strong & doing great.

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Day 6 Pioneer Mail 52.6- Rodriguez Spur 68.4

Sixteen miles today! Today was harder but nothing too steep & it had cooled down. We got an early start. In the desert you want to hike in the morning when its cooler, rest during the hot part, & hike again late afternoon. The desert was in bloom. The mountains made a scenic backdrop. So awesome. We saw lizards, jack rabbits, & a rattle snake. The snakes like to curl up on the hot trail. Arriving at camp I was greeted with shouts of "helicopter!" It was Buster, Grit, & another hiker from two days ago. We spent the rest of the day relaxing. As it for later more & more hikers arrived. We had a mini tent city. Paul(not sure on name), a hiker who is a musician, got out his ukulele & sang. I fell asleep in my tent to the sound of his music.

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Day 5 Mt Julian 43 - Pioneer Mail 53.2

Today was my best day of hiking so far. After sleeping in & eating breakfast at the Pine House Cafe, I packed up & headed out. I was feeling strong and anxious to get back on the trail. It was easy hiking all day through the Cleveland Ntl Forest and then through a transition zone as forest gave way to desert. Amazing views of the Anza Borrego desert! I was alone all day & only saw the occasional day hiker. Just me, my shadow, & the "thwack" of my poles. Once in camp there was only one other hiker there. Black Snake is retired & lives in Houston. We've agreed to hike together as far as Julian. I enjoyed my solo day but now that I'm back in the desert I'm thankful for a partner. He's done this section before & is familiar with the route. I'm cowgirl camping on a picnic table. The stars are out, beautiful.

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Day 4 Long Canyon 37.2 - Mt. Laguna 43

It was a leisurely hike up to Mt Laguna today with Joe & Joanna. I was glad for the company. They are from Washington. I find I enjoy hiking solo, but like all the cool people I meet to like Wolf & Bobcat as well. Bobcat made her own pack & hiking clothes. My new friends from the last 3 days are hiking on. I will miss them but I know new travel companions will happen along. I was able to get a room at the lodge. I got the last room! Yay! A shower never felt so good! I washed my smelly clothes in the bucket provided by the manager. No clothes washing in the tub! Me & my clothes were pretty stinky. I'm feeling better. I downed a can of come V8 right away & just finished lunch at the Pine cafe. It was the best hamburger ever! And I had the pleasure of eating with a couple of locals. It's beautiful here & people come up from San Diego to hike & bike. So I will be fine I think & plan to continue on tomorrow if I continue to improve. But I'm sleeping in!

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Day 3 Boulder Oaks 26 - Long Canyon 37.2

Got up early to beat the sun but was  still the last to leave camp. I'm slow, but that's ok. I need to go slow & do low mileage to build up my strength. Already I can feel my legs getting stronger & my shoulders don't hurt as bad. I got my first blisters. I hiked a lot with Bob & Minnesota today. Bob has done the PCT 3 times so us newbies have been hanging on to every word. He hikes slow! I had been feeling tired & nauseous all day & had trouble eating. I didn't hike today I stumbled. I finally crashed. Minnesota came upon me a minute later. I was dizzy, slurring my words & nauseous. Yep, electrolyte imbalance. He made a salty drink for me & fed me peanut m&ms. It perked me right up. My body came to life & my legs were strong again. I camped with Joe & Joanna. I'm still nauseous though & shaking.  My plan is to hike the 5 miles to Mt Laguna in the morning, get a room at the lodge, & get better.

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Day Two Hauser Creek 16 - Boulder Oaks 26

Hiking in the desert is hard. The sun doesn't care that you're hiking uphill with a heavy pack and the mountain doesn't care either. I hiked solo most of the day but met up with Power Nap taking a nap & joined him for a break till we hiked on. It's hard but the views are beautiful, the yucca is in bloom, & the hikers are friendly.  It seemed every time I started to struggle I would round a corner to an amazing view or a cold creek to cool off in. This is real. I'm doing it!

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Day 1 The Start, Campo 0 - Hauser Creek 16

There were a dozen of us at the monument at 8am. Everyone signing the register & taking pictures.  Apparently my helicopter hat is "sick". Then one by one everyone took off down the trail. By mile 10 it became clear I wouldn't make Lake Morena that night so I camped at Hauser Creek with LB, Minnesota, Joe & Joanna & others. I'm stoked & my legs are holding up.

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Packing up

I'm laying out my gear, double checking it, making sure I have everything. I'm simultaneously fighting the urge to take more stuff & wondering if there's anything I can leave behind. 'Do I really need that shirt?' 'What if I don't take this or that & find I need it?' Sigh.  Here's the pile.

I have 23 resupply boxes. Here's a few of them ready to be taped up & shipped out.

Yesterday I hiked Silver Falls with my friend Dave.  It is a park near Silverton OR. A 3 Hr hike on the canyon trail takes you by 10 waterfalls. Beautiful. It made me more anxious to start. Will I ever get tired of the forests, mountains, & streams? I expect to have moments when I want to curse said forests, mountains, & trees. But tired of it? No.

Here's a picture of south waterfall.

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Helicopter

Nuff said!

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I Hear Adventure Calling

When I was a little girl I loved books.  I still do. But back then I was always reading, oblivious to what was going on around me. My favorites were mysteries & adventures with strong heroines. One in particular began 'I hear adventure calling.'  That's stuck with me because it was how I felt.  Well in 8 days I will embark on a grand adventure of my own.  My family & friends have been incredibly supportive.  So I want to say thanks to all of them. My mom has been great even though she's worried for me.  So as the day I leave gets closer and last minute prep is being completed, one more time; THANKS GUYS!!

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Two Weeks

In two weeks I'll be on an Alaska airlines flight nonstop to San Diego. A few hikers have already started. Ron Ulrich is starting this week. He's wearing 26 wedding dresses over 26 weeks for his hike. I'm getting anxious. Hyper too. I'm thinking of putting two squiggly eyes on the back of my pack. They're the craft eyes kids use for projects. So if you're out on the trail & see a pack staring at you come say 'Hi'. 

I'm shipping my first resupply box today to Warner Springs. I have 23 total. My ride to kickoff from Warner Springs is confirmed. All is ready! Here are the numbers for kickoff so far: 751 total attendees, 269 thru hikers, 150 section hikers, 170 previous hikers, 163 wannabes, 104 groupies, 93 trail angels, 17 staff, 21 vendors, & 25 organizers. Needless to say, I will not be alone on my 'solo' trip.

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