Progress update:
Agua Dulce: mile 454 if this were Oregon I would be finished right now, but it's California so I have about another 1,300 mile to go...this is a really big state. I am currently at a trail angels place known as Hiker Haven aka the Soufley's yet another instance of amazing people on trail.
I am currently hiking just ahead of the peak in the parabola for hiker density, but I am also at the tail end of my hiker wave so when I was nearing Hiker Haven I heard it was full, but in true trail angel style the farm next door opened up to us and I was given a couch to sleep on, free food and permission to forge berry's eat fresh eggs, and drink whole unpasteurized goats milk. I also got a much needed shower/clothes washing. I can't say it enough, we hikers are spoiled.
I have also traded in my acics shoes after only a month of use because they were destroyed. Another angel named Ted took us into town to a REI for the refit, later I will do my Sierra shopping and then it's time to go to the Anderson's (another trail angel) for a memorial day party, and rumor has it that they can party there.
This leg has also made for a rather interesting trail highlight. Due to poodle dogbush detours we ended up on a 15 plus mile road walk. This walk went through a major section of the station fire burn. While walking I
definitely felt a sense of somber from all the dead forest, but what really caught me off guard was the LA fire camp. When I was walking on the road that was falling apart from all the heat damage during the fire I came across a memorial. This was for two firefighters who died during the fire, one of which was the fire marshal. I thought it was strange at first because that isn't a front line person but then I saw the camp. The devastation was surreal. It felt akin to a post apocalyptic ghost town. This was a complex that was big enough to be a small town and it was utterly destroyed. With much curiosity I explored the area and eventually moved on. It will definitely be something that will remember for a while.
Life is good and I am still kicking ass and taking names.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Why does the desert hate me?
As I have mentioned before one thing you quickly realize when walking in the the desert is that everything seems to be ornery and pissed off. The animals want to bite you, the insects try to sting you, and the plants will stab or poison you. Not to mention the sun tries to fry you and there is no water to be found. Granted the desert is one of the more beautiful places I have ever been and the flora and fauna fascinate me...even the poisonous ones. Also hiking at dawn and dusk is wonderful. It's just the hours in between that are rough.
Most of the fauna are nice enough and let you know that they are upset. Bees buzz at you, snakes rattle, and so on, but plants are a different story. Plants can't move nor make sounds, thus they sit and wait for you to get to close and hurt you. Spiny and poky plants can hurt but seldom do they seem to do worse then scratch. However, the poisonous plants are the ones to be weary of. Many of you who have hiked with me in the wilderness know of my arch nemesis, also known as poison oak. I have come into contact with this plant many times over the years and have dealt with rashes lasting for months. Needless to say I am not a fan. These experiences have helped me to develop and almost uncanny ability to detect oak from far away. Those of you who are not familiar with the plant may not know about its ability to fool you. Poison oak can be small or big, have red or green leaves, leaves shaped like an oak tree or round, glossy oily leaves or mat ones, look like a little plant or a shrub or even a vine, and at times almost a tree. On top of it all oak gives you that wonderful rash to help you remember it.
When starting on day one I had hopes that I would not encounter oak, at least not at first. Those dreams were taken away at about mile 10. Accepting the fact I would have to deal with oak I continued my hike knowing I'll probably get a rash at some point on trail. Then when approaching mile 250 I met a new plant that makes poison oak look like a pussy cat.
Poodle dogbush is not a plant to be messed with. It looks friendly enough, but contact can leave you with massive welts that have put hikers into hospitals in years past. This plant can lay dormant for a 100 years and then sprout up after a fire. Well a few years ago the Station fire took out much of the land from mile 353-435. Over the last couple of years poodle dogbush has been sprouting up and taking over the land. It has gotten so bad that part of the PCT is closed for hiker safety. Let me tell you playing don't touch the poodle on an infested trail is a stressful experience.
Thankfully we are out of the worst of it and soon the Sierras will take us out of the desert. It has been a wonderful section and enjoyable...but I am ready to say goodbye.
Most of the fauna are nice enough and let you know that they are upset. Bees buzz at you, snakes rattle, and so on, but plants are a different story. Plants can't move nor make sounds, thus they sit and wait for you to get to close and hurt you. Spiny and poky plants can hurt but seldom do they seem to do worse then scratch. However, the poisonous plants are the ones to be weary of. Many of you who have hiked with me in the wilderness know of my arch nemesis, also known as poison oak. I have come into contact with this plant many times over the years and have dealt with rashes lasting for months. Needless to say I am not a fan. These experiences have helped me to develop and almost uncanny ability to detect oak from far away. Those of you who are not familiar with the plant may not know about its ability to fool you. Poison oak can be small or big, have red or green leaves, leaves shaped like an oak tree or round, glossy oily leaves or mat ones, look like a little plant or a shrub or even a vine, and at times almost a tree. On top of it all oak gives you that wonderful rash to help you remember it.
When starting on day one I had hopes that I would not encounter oak, at least not at first. Those dreams were taken away at about mile 10. Accepting the fact I would have to deal with oak I continued my hike knowing I'll probably get a rash at some point on trail. Then when approaching mile 250 I met a new plant that makes poison oak look like a pussy cat.
Poodle dogbush is not a plant to be messed with. It looks friendly enough, but contact can leave you with massive welts that have put hikers into hospitals in years past. This plant can lay dormant for a 100 years and then sprout up after a fire. Well a few years ago the Station fire took out much of the land from mile 353-435. Over the last couple of years poodle dogbush has been sprouting up and taking over the land. It has gotten so bad that part of the PCT is closed for hiker safety. Let me tell you playing don't touch the poodle on an infested trail is a stressful experience.
Thankfully we are out of the worst of it and soon the Sierras will take us out of the desert. It has been a wonderful section and enjoyable...but I am ready to say goodbye.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Back at scene 34...
Progress update:
Well I have made it to Writewood mile 370. Soon I will stop going west and continue north again...There are times when you feel like the makers of this trail were twisted. Life is good, the views are amazing, company enjoyable, and my feet are in constant agony.
This leg of the trail I finally started pushing for 20 miles a day. For the most part it is very doable, however my feet are not as tough as I would like them to be. This has led to many fun and exciting blisters that cause me to limp around camp at the end of the day. This is also known as the "hiker shuffle."
This leg of the journey has had many highlights but the two best parts were hitting first hot springs on trail and as much as I hate to admit it McDonald's. The hot springs was a funny situation. When I was at kick off back in April we were told about a detour at Deep Creek because a bridge was "unsafe." At first I was very supportive about following the rules, but every story I kept hearing, as my travels took me closer to Deep Creek, was "the bridge is fine." The more I heard the the less enticing the detour sounded because it was a road walk instead of the PCT. Then I found out a very important piece of information they failed to mention at kick off. The PCT takes you to a hot springs where the detour does not. Well the decision turn right and go to hot springs was simple enough to make. When I finally did get to the bridge in question I found out the it was so "broken" that the work crew fixing it was standing on the bridge AND using it as their anchor to rappel down the the creek and grab water to mix their concrete.
As for the McDonald's all I can say it was there and delicious. I may or may not have eaten 4 mcdoubles, 1 mcchicken, 1 lrg fries, 1 ice cream cone, 1 mcflurry, and 4 lrg sodas during my seven hours of sitting by Cajone Pass...and yes it was worth it.
As I said we have about 80 miles until we go north again. It is also where we meet the trail angels known as the Anderson's (aka Casa de Luna). Apparently that is where the party is at. Now I am off to shower and probably eat more.
Well I have made it to Writewood mile 370. Soon I will stop going west and continue north again...There are times when you feel like the makers of this trail were twisted. Life is good, the views are amazing, company enjoyable, and my feet are in constant agony.
This leg of the trail I finally started pushing for 20 miles a day. For the most part it is very doable, however my feet are not as tough as I would like them to be. This has led to many fun and exciting blisters that cause me to limp around camp at the end of the day. This is also known as the "hiker shuffle."
This leg of the journey has had many highlights but the two best parts were hitting first hot springs on trail and as much as I hate to admit it McDonald's. The hot springs was a funny situation. When I was at kick off back in April we were told about a detour at Deep Creek because a bridge was "unsafe." At first I was very supportive about following the rules, but every story I kept hearing, as my travels took me closer to Deep Creek, was "the bridge is fine." The more I heard the the less enticing the detour sounded because it was a road walk instead of the PCT. Then I found out a very important piece of information they failed to mention at kick off. The PCT takes you to a hot springs where the detour does not. Well the decision turn right and go to hot springs was simple enough to make. When I finally did get to the bridge in question I found out the it was so "broken" that the work crew fixing it was standing on the bridge AND using it as their anchor to rappel down the the creek and grab water to mix their concrete.
As for the McDonald's all I can say it was there and delicious. I may or may not have eaten 4 mcdoubles, 1 mcchicken, 1 lrg fries, 1 ice cream cone, 1 mcflurry, and 4 lrg sodas during my seven hours of sitting by Cajone Pass...and yes it was worth it.
As I said we have about 80 miles until we go north again. It is also where we meet the trail angels known as the Anderson's (aka Casa de Luna). Apparently that is where the party is at. Now I am off to shower and probably eat more.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Trail Thoughts: Food
First of all a couple of PSA announcements. I have realized while writing in my blog in town that every time I am about to start typing any idea in my head disappears and all I end up writing about is "Well I hike really far this week..." Well for me that is boring to type, and if I am bored you probably are too. To fix this I am starting a new segment called Trail Thoughts. For some unknown reason when you are hiking for 8-10 hours a days you seem to have time to think. So now when I think of a topic that gives insight to life on the trail, I jot it down.
The second announcement is I am no longer trying to have movie quotes for all my blog titles...it's too much work. I may throw in nonsensical quotes for trail progress reports, but that's it.
Food,
At the best of times we humans are quite fond of food. It almost seems like if we don't consume it we would die or something. Well when you are on trail food becomes an obsession. Conversation almost always reverts back to food. As you hike you often think about your next break so you can eat more food. Food is what allows you to climb, be happy, and warm. On trail there are two types of food: trail food and town food.
Trail food is what keeps you alive and going to the next town. Often it is light, dehydrated, and lackluster. The amount of Knorrs, mac-n-cheese, and oatmeal you eat is rather sad. Quickly you dream of fresh veggies, burgers, butter, and more. In groups hikers talk about favorite restaurants and every item discussed sounds better then the last. That brings me to town food.
In town it is very easy to spend too much money. One reason for this is the fantastic food items you can grab. It is rather a cool experience, normally when you see the caloric value on a menu, you shy away from big numbers, but on a through hike..."What the fajita salad is 1600 calories?!? I'll take that and a milkshake!" the body wants food and you are eager to provide. When we were in Big Bear there was a restaurant called the Grizzly Manor. The food actually was epic in a true sense of the word. The meal I got was called the Blob. Here is what this gut bomb entailed: A platter of biscuits and gravy topped with bacon, two goose sized eggs, and probably a pound of cheese. I am positive this thing was 2000-3000 calories. Not only did I clean my plate, but I helped take on some platter sized pancakes from another epic breakfast.
Food is one of my favorite things and I kind of feel like the main reason why I hike is so I can eat things that normally make America obese. Without it you don't function and I rue the day when i have to start paying attention to what I consume.
The second announcement is I am no longer trying to have movie quotes for all my blog titles...it's too much work. I may throw in nonsensical quotes for trail progress reports, but that's it.
Food,
At the best of times we humans are quite fond of food. It almost seems like if we don't consume it we would die or something. Well when you are on trail food becomes an obsession. Conversation almost always reverts back to food. As you hike you often think about your next break so you can eat more food. Food is what allows you to climb, be happy, and warm. On trail there are two types of food: trail food and town food.
Trail food is what keeps you alive and going to the next town. Often it is light, dehydrated, and lackluster. The amount of Knorrs, mac-n-cheese, and oatmeal you eat is rather sad. Quickly you dream of fresh veggies, burgers, butter, and more. In groups hikers talk about favorite restaurants and every item discussed sounds better then the last. That brings me to town food.
In town it is very easy to spend too much money. One reason for this is the fantastic food items you can grab. It is rather a cool experience, normally when you see the caloric value on a menu, you shy away from big numbers, but on a through hike..."What the fajita salad is 1600 calories?!? I'll take that and a milkshake!" the body wants food and you are eager to provide. When we were in Big Bear there was a restaurant called the Grizzly Manor. The food actually was epic in a true sense of the word. The meal I got was called the Blob. Here is what this gut bomb entailed: A platter of biscuits and gravy topped with bacon, two goose sized eggs, and probably a pound of cheese. I am positive this thing was 2000-3000 calories. Not only did I clean my plate, but I helped take on some platter sized pancakes from another epic breakfast.
Food is one of my favorite things and I kind of feel like the main reason why I hike is so I can eat things that normally make America obese. Without it you don't function and I rue the day when i have to start paying attention to what I consume.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
She has huge...tracks of land
Big Bear City! Mile 266, it's starting to feel like I am on a really long hike or something. Even though Idlewild was less than a week ago it was miles of elevation ago as well...To get out of Idlewild we had to climb from 6000ft to 8300ft, then we decided to summit the second highest peak in Southern California and slack packed up to the San Jacinto peak at 10,800+ft. The views were spectacular and not only could we see San Gordinio (where we were headed) but the valley floor about 10,000 feet below us. And yes we did hike all the way down to 1,000 ft to cross a desert. A desert that was as windy and hot as I would imagine satin's crack to be, just to climb back up to about 9,000ft to get to Big Bear. I guess this is how you earn your trail legs for the Sierras...
Lessons learned so far this trip:
Lessons learned so far this trip:
- Siestas are the best invention ever, and to hike in the desert between 11:00am-3:00pm is just stupid.
- If you have a rock in your shoe, stop and take it out. It's worth it.
- It's really hard to climb up hills when your hungry, I mean really hard.
- All desert flora and fauna are pissed off and want to hurt you with thorns or poison
- Taking zero days (where you don't hike the PCT at all) are needed and almost as important as hiking.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Never mind Camelot tis a silly place
Today marks the first legitimate town stop of the trip! It also means that my bruised blistered feet get a much needed rest day. well here are some of the highlights thus far...
Yesterday marked the day where the hiking became serious. we are in the San Juncto mountains and they are beautiful. When I am not being lazy I'll post pictures. The trail actually hikes the crest of these mountains giving some amazing views of the land below. It also means hard hiking. The trail just went up and up and up and up and well up. Not to mention the wind kept trying to blow us off the mountain. That said, it has been my most favorite locations thus far on the trip.
The rainstorm also was a great highlight. The day started hot (around 95 degrees) so we took a siesta to wait for it to cool. Well round 3:00pm we noticed some clouds coming in and as they grew thicker we decided it was time to leave. By 4:00 the rain started to drip, and then fall, and then poor...and then hail. It dumped for about and hour and we did have lightning strike about 1/2 a second away from us, but it was fun and a nice change from hot desert sun. Plus the smells were so strong afterword.
I guess what I am trying to say is I am loving life right now. I know it sucks to be me.
- Cinco De Mayo party at trail angel Mike's place
- six days strait of trail magic from angels
- First rain/lightning/hail storm of the trip
- Wildflowers blooming everywhere
- Rattle snake encounters
- First night hiking of trip
- Camping in scenic locations every night
- Climbing 4500 vertical feet since Warner Springs (2500+ of it done yesterday)
- Standing on a 8300 foot cliff side look at the world 7000 feet below you
- TREES! I didn't realize I missed those
- First snow encounter of the trip
Yesterday marked the day where the hiking became serious. we are in the San Juncto mountains and they are beautiful. When I am not being lazy I'll post pictures. The trail actually hikes the crest of these mountains giving some amazing views of the land below. It also means hard hiking. The trail just went up and up and up and up and well up. Not to mention the wind kept trying to blow us off the mountain. That said, it has been my most favorite locations thus far on the trip.
The rainstorm also was a great highlight. The day started hot (around 95 degrees) so we took a siesta to wait for it to cool. Well round 3:00pm we noticed some clouds coming in and as they grew thicker we decided it was time to leave. By 4:00 the rain started to drip, and then fall, and then poor...and then hail. It dumped for about and hour and we did have lightning strike about 1/2 a second away from us, but it was fun and a nice change from hot desert sun. Plus the smells were so strong afterword.
I guess what I am trying to say is I am loving life right now. I know it sucks to be me.
Friday, May 4, 2012
I love Lamp.
Well actually I love bladder pillow but more on that later.
I have officially arrived in my first "town": Warner Springs at mile 109. This last week has been full of amazing people, stories, views, and blisters. A few of the highlights thus far are:
I have officially arrived in my first "town": Warner Springs at mile 109. This last week has been full of amazing people, stories, views, and blisters. A few of the highlights thus far are:
- 70 plus degree weather every day.
- lots and lots of sunshine
- a beautifully grated trail that is visible up to 40 miles ahead.
- butterflies dancing in front of me
- cowboy camping every night and watching the stars
- making it past the 100 mile marker
- Eagle Rock
- arriving at Barrel Springs after 20 miles of no water and seeing a sign saying "Want a cold beer?" "How about a free chili dog?" "Come on over!"
This experience has been nothing like I have done in my life. As I said in my last post, the generosity of the Trail Angels is astounding and gives me hope in humanity. Even here at Warner Springs. This is normally a hot spring town, but due to legal issues the springs are closed. However there is food, supplies, and showers for through hikers thanks to the community center. Plus all proceeds goes to the local school. Right now I am gearing up for the next leg of the trip which is at Idlewild at mile 180. Getting an opportunity to clean, blog, and get a ton of free food that other hikers don't want (aka the hiker box) is greatly appreciated.
Well I mentioned earlier that I love bladder pillow. Well for those of you who are not in the know. When doing a through hike it is common for other hikers to give you a trail name. Well because of my enthusiasm of my bladder pillow my fellow hikers decided that my trail name is Bladder Pillow. It is definitely an unique name on trail. Why is the bladder pillow so epic? well let's do a pro con list.
Pro's
- perfect pitch for your head
- if thirsty at night you can drink with little effort
- on a hot day can use for napping and cool back of your head
- a waterbed just for you head
Con's
- there are none, the bladder pillow is amazing.
Well I need to make way for other hikers, more posts to come.
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