Day 103-104
Miles: 10+35
Total Miles: 1601
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| View from The Russian Wilderness |
Showing posts with label Trail Magic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Trail Magic. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Day 103 to 104 - Trail Magic and The Russian Wilderness
August 6 to 7
Day 103-104
Miles: 10+35
Total Miles: 1601
After just ten miles we made it Highway 3 where Unload was set up with a grill, picnic table and loads of beer. Unload had hiked the PCT in 2011 and he had spent the winter on a fishing vessel up in Alaska. He was back for the summer and decided what a better way to spend his time than to hang out with some green 2012 thu-hikers. He cooked us burgers and dogs and we drank beer and soda and whiskey. Even with only ten miles behind us that day, it took very little to convince us to stay that night and keep the party going. Once other hikers showed up, Weather Carrot and Bobcat, we were in for the night.
Day 103-104
Miles: 10+35
Total Miles: 1601
Friday, October 19, 2012
Day 92 - Drakesbad and Volcanic Gysers
July 26
Day 92
Miles: 18
Total Miles: 1353
After the amazing breakfast at the Pipers, we have just 18.5 miles to Drakesbad Guest Ranch in Lassen Volcanic National Park. Drakesbad takes care of thru-hikers. After serving their paying guests in their restaurant, they bring the food left un-consumed out to hikers on large platters. For a mere $5 (or was it $10?) they fed us all we could eat of the turkey, bread rolls, veggies, bean salad, etc. Joining Jubel and I was Lava Goat, Sierra and Happy Feet (both section hikers).
Day 92
Miles: 18
Total Miles: 1353
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| Jubel the Outlaw at Boiling Springs Lake |
After the amazing breakfast at the Pipers, we have just 18.5 miles to Drakesbad Guest Ranch in Lassen Volcanic National Park. Drakesbad takes care of thru-hikers. After serving their paying guests in their restaurant, they bring the food left un-consumed out to hikers on large platters. For a mere $5 (or was it $10?) they fed us all we could eat of the turkey, bread rolls, veggies, bean salad, etc. Joining Jubel and I was Lava Goat, Sierra and Happy Feet (both section hikers).
Day 91 - The Pipers
July 25
Day 91
Miles: 20
Total Miles: 1335
Jubel and I hiked twenty miles through some nice flat trail to reach Highway 89, where crossed the highway and...trail magic! Two large ice chests full of gatorade, soda, fruit. A note - Piper's Mom is offering rides and possibly a place to stay!
Day 91
Miles: 20
Total Miles: 1335
Jubel and I hiked twenty miles through some nice flat trail to reach Highway 89, where crossed the highway and...trail magic! Two large ice chests full of gatorade, soda, fruit. A note - Piper's Mom is offering rides and possibly a place to stay!
Monday, October 8, 2012
Day 68 to 70 - Sonora Pass to Carson Pass
July 2 - July 4
Days 68-70
Miles: 23+21+22
Total Miles: 1084
Yankee Son, Hallmark, Just Retired and I got a ride to the trailhead this morning from John. John was section hiking the PCT and was giving rides to/from Sonora Pass.
This next section is relatively flat and my plan is to do it in three and a half days, and then hitch to Lake Tahoe from Echo Lake on July 5th, and then take a zero. On July 2nd I made it to a campground by Wolf Creek at mile 1041 camping with YS, HM, JR and two others - Scarecrow and Garrik. Scarecrow is still sick. I passed him on the trail today and he looked quite sick and said he may have giardia.
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| Camping at Shower Lake on 4th of July |
This next section is relatively flat and my plan is to do it in three and a half days, and then hitch to Lake Tahoe from Echo Lake on July 5th, and then take a zero. On July 2nd I made it to a campground by Wolf Creek at mile 1041 camping with YS, HM, JR and two others - Scarecrow and Garrik. Scarecrow is still sick. I passed him on the trail today and he looked quite sick and said he may have giardia.
Day 67 - Sonora Pass and Bridgeport
July 1
Day 67
Miles: 6
Total Miles: 1018
I hiked the remaining miles to Sonora Pass this morning (a road pass) and made it to The Owl's trail magic by 10 AM! After some amazing (i.e.: real) coffee and fruit, a nice couple out for a day hike offered to give a few of us a ride into Bridgeport. Last on the Bus, Power Nap and I made it into Bridgeport and joined Quest and Rapunzel in a room at the Bridgeport Inn. I slept on the floor but didn't mind because it was cheap!
Food was great in Bridgeport - lunch at the Sportsman's Bar and Grill, Dinner at Rhinos and Breakfast at a great little cafe down the street. We also hooked up with Yankee Son, Hallmark and Just Retired. All-in-all this was a great Nero - I feel totally refreshed for the next 3-4 day section to Echo Lake.
Day 67
Miles: 6
Total Miles: 1018
I hiked the remaining miles to Sonora Pass this morning (a road pass) and made it to The Owl's trail magic by 10 AM! After some amazing (i.e.: real) coffee and fruit, a nice couple out for a day hike offered to give a few of us a ride into Bridgeport. Last on the Bus, Power Nap and I made it into Bridgeport and joined Quest and Rapunzel in a room at the Bridgeport Inn. I slept on the floor but didn't mind because it was cheap!
Food was great in Bridgeport - lunch at the Sportsman's Bar and Grill, Dinner at Rhinos and Breakfast at a great little cafe down the street. We also hooked up with Yankee Son, Hallmark and Just Retired. All-in-all this was a great Nero - I feel totally refreshed for the next 3-4 day section to Echo Lake.
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| The Owl's Trail Magic at Sonora Pass |
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| Masa lifting his 70 lbs pack! |
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Day 10 - Paradise Cafe!
Day 10
May 4, 2012
Miles: 23
Total Miles: 157
I did eighteen miles before one o'clock and it was so worth it!! Seeing the highway from a few miles back up the trail, I noticed a couple of campers and tents - trail angels! As I limped toward Highway 78 and the tents, Tarzan and Little Steps asked me - "would you like an omelet?" Well...how do you answer that when you just hiked eighteen miles over some of the driest terrain so far on the trail with only food bars and nut mix to feed your hunger? I dropped my pack and Tarzan handed me a mushroom spinach omelet wrapped in a tortilla and topped with salsa. Little Steps handed me a margarita. These guys must get a kick out of seeing the faces of dirty staggering hikers come to the end of a trail when they have just been handed what he/she desires most in the world. I got a laugh from the others when I exclaimed enthusiastically, "Why yes I WOULD like an omelet!" Dr. Sol also had his tent setup and was doing foot repair for in-need hikers. My feet, other than being sore and sensitive, were fine. No blisters yet!
What drove me to do these 18 miles before lunch, however, was a little place down the highway called Paradise Cafe. The thought of this place and the lore of the "best burger on the trail" had been fueling me for the entire morning. After the omelet and margarita, I walked the half-mile to the cafe and ordered a chocolate milk and a "Jose Burger" with sweet potato fries, and a Paradise Amber beer to wash it down. All was VERY Delicious!
At 5 o'clock, I begrudgingly left the tents at the highway and ambled down the trail another two hours where I camped near the trail.
May 4, 2012
Miles: 23
Total Miles: 157
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| Tarzan and Little Steps cooking up trail magic |
I did eighteen miles before one o'clock and it was so worth it!! Seeing the highway from a few miles back up the trail, I noticed a couple of campers and tents - trail angels! As I limped toward Highway 78 and the tents, Tarzan and Little Steps asked me - "would you like an omelet?" Well...how do you answer that when you just hiked eighteen miles over some of the driest terrain so far on the trail with only food bars and nut mix to feed your hunger? I dropped my pack and Tarzan handed me a mushroom spinach omelet wrapped in a tortilla and topped with salsa. Little Steps handed me a margarita. These guys must get a kick out of seeing the faces of dirty staggering hikers come to the end of a trail when they have just been handed what he/she desires most in the world. I got a laugh from the others when I exclaimed enthusiastically, "Why yes I WOULD like an omelet!" Dr. Sol also had his tent setup and was doing foot repair for in-need hikers. My feet, other than being sore and sensitive, were fine. No blisters yet!
What drove me to do these 18 miles before lunch, however, was a little place down the highway called Paradise Cafe. The thought of this place and the lore of the "best burger on the trail" had been fueling me for the entire morning. After the omelet and margarita, I walked the half-mile to the cafe and ordered a chocolate milk and a "Jose Burger" with sweet potato fries, and a Paradise Amber beer to wash it down. All was VERY Delicious!
At 5 o'clock, I begrudgingly left the tents at the highway and ambled down the trail another two hours where I camped near the trail.
Day 9 - A Guy Named Mike
Day 9
May 4, 2012
Miles: 21
Total Miles: 134
Well, yesterday was supposed to be a zero day at Warner Springs but I hiked another two miles after leaving the Community Center and camped out at mile 113 near a babbling brook, along with several others. Today I had a blistering morning after starting out at 7:30. I hiked fourteen miles by 10 o'clock and rested in "guy named Mikes" yard up in the hills. He wasn't home but he opens his porch and water tank to thru-hikers. The yard is a little suspect, with saws and hatchets hanging up and a skeet shooting setup. But it was greatly needed after a long morning of hiking with minimal shade. I headed out at 3:45 and put in another seven miles before hunkering down in a sandy spot by the trail.
Word from others is that at mile 152 there is a cafe that has a great reputation as a great place for burgers! I am so looking forward to it! If they smell me they may turn me away! Eight days without a shower - another milestone!!
A couple more days to Idylwild!
May 4, 2012
Miles: 21
Total Miles: 134
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| "A Guy Named Mike's" water tank |
Word from others is that at mile 152 there is a cafe that has a great reputation as a great place for burgers! I am so looking forward to it! If they smell me they may turn me away! Eight days without a shower - another milestone!!
A couple more days to Idylwild!
Day 6 & 7 - Wind!
Day 7
May 2, 2012
Miles: 23
Total Miles: 101
A couple of crazy days of wind! Yesterday, at the Sunrise Trail-head campsite, I only got a few hours of sleep due to high winds throughout the night. My tent blew down on top of me several times due to the sandy ground not holding tent stakes. The early evening was peaceful and I did not expect the wind to pick up in the night. Let me tell you, it is extremely frustrating and uncomfortable to have to get out of a warm sleeping bag after hiking poles fall on you, put on warm clothes and run around your tent in the middle of the night, in the dark, in the wind, trying to secure it while the wind throws it this way and that. I finally determined I needed to turn my tent 90 degrees so that it wasn't acting as a sail in the wind. I also tied the leading side to my half empty pack for additional security as an anchor!
I woke up miserable with a few hours of sleep and packed up in the still gusty wind and trumped off down the trail cursing. No sleep, no breakfast...what kind of experience is this? Well, a little misery is all part of the experience and I can look back on this a week later with a smile. Hiking took me many windy miles this day across the mountain to a water spigot where I cooked up some instant potatoes and tuna and ate them in tortillas. Then came the ten mile descent down into the San Felipe desert to Scissors Crossing at Highway 78. I ended up camping near the overpass in some trees and bushes to protect from the still ferocious wind. Magellan, Laura, IPod and the Kiwi - Trip were also at the underpass. Trip hitched to Julian and brought back a whole apple pie, which he shared with hikers!
In the morning on May 2nd I started off at seven AM and hiked five hours up out of the desert to a water cache. The afternoon was spent hiking the remaining ten miles to Barrel Springs near the town of Warner Springs, just nine miles away. An amazing thing keeps happening in these first few hundred miles - trail angels! Fantastic trail angels were waiting for us at Barrel Springs in a couple RV's in a parking lot off the side of the road with beer, gatorade, CHILI DOGS and a seat by a fire! What an amazing treat after completing my longest hiking day yet, 23 miles. They had coffee and bagels for breakfast - who could ask for more? Sometimes I feel like I'm being treated like a rock star while hiking the trail. So much generosity.
Another first - I crossed 100 miles today!
May 2, 2012
Miles: 23
Total Miles: 101
A couple of crazy days of wind! Yesterday, at the Sunrise Trail-head campsite, I only got a few hours of sleep due to high winds throughout the night. My tent blew down on top of me several times due to the sandy ground not holding tent stakes. The early evening was peaceful and I did not expect the wind to pick up in the night. Let me tell you, it is extremely frustrating and uncomfortable to have to get out of a warm sleeping bag after hiking poles fall on you, put on warm clothes and run around your tent in the middle of the night, in the dark, in the wind, trying to secure it while the wind throws it this way and that. I finally determined I needed to turn my tent 90 degrees so that it wasn't acting as a sail in the wind. I also tied the leading side to my half empty pack for additional security as an anchor!
I woke up miserable with a few hours of sleep and packed up in the still gusty wind and trumped off down the trail cursing. No sleep, no breakfast...what kind of experience is this? Well, a little misery is all part of the experience and I can look back on this a week later with a smile. Hiking took me many windy miles this day across the mountain to a water spigot where I cooked up some instant potatoes and tuna and ate them in tortillas. Then came the ten mile descent down into the San Felipe desert to Scissors Crossing at Highway 78. I ended up camping near the overpass in some trees and bushes to protect from the still ferocious wind. Magellan, Laura, IPod and the Kiwi - Trip were also at the underpass. Trip hitched to Julian and brought back a whole apple pie, which he shared with hikers!
In the morning on May 2nd I started off at seven AM and hiked five hours up out of the desert to a water cache. The afternoon was spent hiking the remaining ten miles to Barrel Springs near the town of Warner Springs, just nine miles away. An amazing thing keeps happening in these first few hundred miles - trail angels! Fantastic trail angels were waiting for us at Barrel Springs in a couple RV's in a parking lot off the side of the road with beer, gatorade, CHILI DOGS and a seat by a fire! What an amazing treat after completing my longest hiking day yet, 23 miles. They had coffee and bagels for breakfast - who could ask for more? Sometimes I feel like I'm being treated like a rock star while hiking the trail. So much generosity.
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| The Barrel Springs Trail Angels |
Another first - I crossed 100 miles today!
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Day 3 - Boulder Oaks Campground
Day 3
April 28, 2012
Miles: 6
Total Miles: 26
Yesterday (Friday) was spent at Lake Moreno enjoying Burritos for dinner and other trail-angel magic for breakfast (coffee) and luch (tacos from Thomas Figueroa). Today, Saturday, after a few burgers cooked up at the lake, I took my first trepedacious steps north past Lake Moreno and am now camping with a group of about 6 in the Boulder Oaks Campground 6 miles north at mile 26.1. Everything is going great so far and I am learning my way around my gear and how much water to carry. I have the capacity to carry 6 liters of water (a 3 liter bladder, 2 liter platypus and 1 liter platypus). I am finding that I need approximately 1 liter for every 3 miles or so - give or take based on weather and elevation changes, etc.. It's a challenge to carry the right volume of water...too much and you end up carrying an extra several un-needed pounds and arrive at your next water stop with several liters. Too little and you risk being dehydrated. I think I'll take it cautiously for now and carry more than I think I need until I get the hang of what my body needs on these hot desert hikes.
April 28, 2012
Miles: 6
Total Miles: 26
Yesterday (Friday) was spent at Lake Moreno enjoying Burritos for dinner and other trail-angel magic for breakfast (coffee) and luch (tacos from Thomas Figueroa). Today, Saturday, after a few burgers cooked up at the lake, I took my first trepedacious steps north past Lake Moreno and am now camping with a group of about 6 in the Boulder Oaks Campground 6 miles north at mile 26.1. Everything is going great so far and I am learning my way around my gear and how much water to carry. I have the capacity to carry 6 liters of water (a 3 liter bladder, 2 liter platypus and 1 liter platypus). I am finding that I need approximately 1 liter for every 3 miles or so - give or take based on weather and elevation changes, etc.. It's a challenge to carry the right volume of water...too much and you end up carrying an extra several un-needed pounds and arrive at your next water stop with several liters. Too little and you risk being dehydrated. I think I'll take it cautiously for now and carry more than I think I need until I get the hang of what my body needs on these hot desert hikes.
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| View from the trail several miles north of Lake Moreno |
Day 1 - ADZKO (Annual Day Zero Kick Off)!
Day 1
April 26, 2012
Miles: 20
Total Miles: 20
Today was a good day! After starting at Campo under windy and rainy skies at 7:30 AM, I hiked the full 20 miles to Lake Moreno by 4:30 PM. I think my feet and knees were just about at their limits as I could have stopped after 15 miles in. It was a brutal descent and climb out of Hauser Creek to complete the day. I have two or three days to heal and let my feet strengthen at the Kick Off Event at Lake Moreno. My feet suffered only the start of two minor blisters between the big toe and the second toe, on both feet. I have a big, big toe and this area always rubs on long walks. I used moleskin at the half-way point to protect it from further blistering - worked like a charm.
I hiked near a woman named Gypsy Girl for much of the hike, but skipped around with the group as people rested and took breaks through-out the day. I met Jeff Kish who blew past me midway through the hike...I had chatted with him online before the hike and had hoped to meet up with him at some point. He had a light pack and was making quick progress. Later I learned he had already been to Lake Moreno and was free of his tent and a few other items on this days hike. At Lake Moreno I met others I knew only by their name and Facebook profile picture: Kolby "Condor" Kirk and Andrew Schleff. After arriving in Lake Moreno I shared a campsite with a great group of younger hikers - Laura, Bryce, Christy and others.
On a walk with Andrew back from the local store, a great couple pulled us over to their RV and fed us pork burritos and beer! The Trail Magic on this trail continues to amaze me. Another mis-step: I forgot to pick up the two cannisters stoves I had reserved from Scout/Frodo that was going to get me through the first week on the trail. Instead, I found a few at KO without any trouble. The organization at KO was fantastic. Everybody there - 2012 thru-hikers, past thru-hikers, trail angels and all others put on an incredible event and made sure we were all taken care of. This amazing community has come together send us off in style on our five month walk to Canada!
April 26, 2012
Miles: 20
Total Miles: 20
Today was a good day! After starting at Campo under windy and rainy skies at 7:30 AM, I hiked the full 20 miles to Lake Moreno by 4:30 PM. I think my feet and knees were just about at their limits as I could have stopped after 15 miles in. It was a brutal descent and climb out of Hauser Creek to complete the day. I have two or three days to heal and let my feet strengthen at the Kick Off Event at Lake Moreno. My feet suffered only the start of two minor blisters between the big toe and the second toe, on both feet. I have a big, big toe and this area always rubs on long walks. I used moleskin at the half-way point to protect it from further blistering - worked like a charm.
I hiked near a woman named Gypsy Girl for much of the hike, but skipped around with the group as people rested and took breaks through-out the day. I met Jeff Kish who blew past me midway through the hike...I had chatted with him online before the hike and had hoped to meet up with him at some point. He had a light pack and was making quick progress. Later I learned he had already been to Lake Moreno and was free of his tent and a few other items on this days hike. At Lake Moreno I met others I knew only by their name and Facebook profile picture: Kolby "Condor" Kirk and Andrew Schleff. After arriving in Lake Moreno I shared a campsite with a great group of younger hikers - Laura, Bryce, Christy and others.
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| View of Lake Moreno coming in from Campo |
On a walk with Andrew back from the local store, a great couple pulled us over to their RV and fed us pork burritos and beer! The Trail Magic on this trail continues to amaze me. Another mis-step: I forgot to pick up the two cannisters stoves I had reserved from Scout/Frodo that was going to get me through the first week on the trail. Instead, I found a few at KO without any trouble. The organization at KO was fantastic. Everybody there - 2012 thru-hikers, past thru-hikers, trail angels and all others put on an incredible event and made sure we were all taken care of. This amazing community has come together send us off in style on our five month walk to Canada!
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| Saturday Dinner of Burgers, Potato Salad and Brownies! |
San Diego Pre-Hike Trail Magic
Day 0
April 25, 2012
Miles: 0
Total Miles: 0
Along with Scout & Frodo, Jim and Jan have graciously opened their home to hikers preparing for their epic hike. They live in San Diego, just a block from Scout/Frodo - well known trail angels. Together they are hosting 40+ hikers today (Apr 25th). It will be a "crowded" start at the border tomorrow and then a 20 mile hike to Lake Moreno for ADZPCTKO (Annual Day Zero PCT Kick Off)! I guess I will bask in solitude later, but for now I will enjoy the company of new friends.
My pack, which I checked-in, got mis-directed by SW Airlines after a mix-up in Las Vegas where we were directed to change planes due to a fuel leak. To SWA's credit, they hand delived my bag to me at Scout/Frodo's after it had arrived on the next flight in. Thus, my thru-hike will start on time Thurday morning.
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PCT Northern Terminus
On September 30, 2012 I reached the Northern Terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail. Thanks to everybody who supported and followed my journey. It was a life-changing experience!