Publicatu: 17.05.2022
We want to try adjusting our daily routine to cover more miles. So far, we have usually done two big blocks of hiking and then arrived at camp early, but too tired to continue. Instead, we want to take two longer breaks during the day and divide it into three parts. It worked well today and we managed to hike 24.7 miles, even though our backpacks are heavier than ever before. We have food for six days because we want to skip a resupply hitch, and we have four liters of water because the next water source at our camp tonight is far away. Ninja's leg is doing better, so she had a good day too, and Taco is here too, which makes me very happy. It was another windy day, although not as bad as we have experienced before. The wind makes it cold again, and tonight the temperature is supposed to drop to freezing. It's quite remarkable that in the "desert section" it's been more cold than warm for me. But well, summer will come eventually. I'm very satisfied with my new shoes. All the little discomforts that I had on my feet in the past few days are gone, and I'm flying over the trail again.
We are camping at a campground in the forest. It's sheltered from the wind, but still cold, so we quickly got into our sleeping bags. But that's not a bad thing today because I still have a sewing project. I'm quite satisfied with how my shorts turned out, and I can definitely continue using them.
As we continue hiking, it slowly gets very hot. Just before our lunch break, we crossed the 1000 km mark. Since there's no marking (stupid Imperial system), Natalie drew one in the sand. Unfortunately, I only noticed in the evening when I looked at the pictures that she wrote 10,000 instead.
Our lunch spot has a picnic table under which I spend the rest of the break after eating. In the afternoon, the landscape becomes even more barren, and the trail becomes very challenging as it's covered with sand, which slows us down. After 22 miles, we finally reach today's goal - another water cache and the last water source for the next 20 miles. Here, we not only find water but also a box with a trail register, medications, electrolytes, and toilet paper, as well as another box with power banks. I find a full one and charge all my devices. All in all, it has been a beautiful and successful day on the trail.
Tag 38: The day starts very exciting. While everyone is slowly packing up, Warrior suddenly screams quietly and starts dancing in her sleeping bag. The reason is a scorpion hiding under her sleeping pad. It's the first scorpion we have seen on the trail.
After that, we climb a ridge on a beautiful trail with nice views. Since the desert wants to bid us a proper farewell, it's another hot day. The only shady spot we find for our breakfast break is right in the middle of the trail. Fortunately, nobody passes by while we're sitting here. Then, we continue to the next water source. We had originally planned to take a short break here, but in the end, we stay for over two hours because our breakfast break was short, and we want to wait out the hottest part of the day with the strongest sun. After that, we climb 500 meters up a mountain and then descend for a long time. We want to reach a campground where there should be water. Just as I reach the road and want to turn towards the campground, a man calls me over. It's Monarch, a hiker in his twenties who was on the trail last year and is now doing trail magic here. I can hardly believe our luck - big trail magic two days in a row, and it's very welcome after a tiring day. The day itself was challenging, but I think a large part of it is the mental aspect. Everyone wants to reach Kennedy Meadows and complete this section of the trail. Monarch has cold soda and beer, fruit, muffins, and croissants. Gradually, the others arrive. Since Monarch says there's no water at the campground, and he can give us enough water to get to the next water source, which is two miles away, we decide to camp here. We have a great evening, talking to Monarch about the trail, while drinking beer and eating. In the end, I have a soda, three beers, two croissants, an apple, and two muffins. For a moment, our decision to start hiking at 4 am to arrive early in Kennedy Meadows, use the full moon for a night hike, and especially to avoid the heat is questioned. But in the end, we stick to it, which makes me very happy. Hiking under the full moon promises to be a beautiful experience.
We continue hiking, passing a water source where we refill water, and we keep going until the sun rises. After we conquer the ridge, we descend into a valley that finally looks like the Sierras. It's a wide valley with a river flowing through it, framed by mountains with rugged rock formations, and alternating patches of shrubs and pine forests. It's hot again, and although we can't wait to reach Kennedy Meadows, we take our time. In the end, we make it, and as we complete the short roadwalk to the Community Store, we are greeted by the applause of other hikers who are already there, which is an incredibly beautiful feeling. We have completed the first major section of the PCT, the desert section in Southern California. We have hiked 700 miles, and each of us has had their personal highs and lows. And with each of us, you can already see development because each of us has their issues to deal with inevitably. For me, I hope I've already had my two worst days, and I think as a group, we've already overcome our biggest challenge. So far, the trail has not been disappointing in any way. The landscape has been incredibly diverse, and I've seen a lot of things I've never seen before. But above all, the people I have met so far make the trail what it is. Whether it's my friends I'm hiking with, trail angels, people in trail towns, or strangers who give you a ride. I can't believe that we have already completed a quarter of the trail and have been on the trail for 40 days. I have already experienced so much, and yet it feels like I started just a week ago. I'm definitely looking forward to everything that lies ahead, especially since most hikers consider South California the weakest section of the trail in retrospect. It's once again interesting to see how unbelievably many hikers there are that I have never seen before.
After we have rested a bit, we take a shuttle to Grumpy Bear's Retreat, the local pub. It fulfills a small wish for Warrior, as the shuttle is actually a pickup truck, and we ride on the back, even though it's illegal in California. But it gives a sense of freedom and is a lot of fun. At Grumpy Bear's, they have the Triple Crown Burger, which consists of three patties, a fried egg, avocado, a little bit of greens, and is served with fries and onion rings. Since I've already lost two to three kilos and can't really lose six to nine more, I order it, even though I've heard from some hikers who couldn't finish it. It's very good, and although it's a really large portion, I finish it without any problems and get a milkshake for dessert.
Afterwards, we take the shuttle back to the Community Store where we can camp, do laundry, and take a shower for free. It's always amazing how much the mood lifts after taking a shower. We spend the rest of the day eating, drinking, playing cards, and packing. And tomorrow, we will finally enter the Sierras! If everything goes as planned, I can write about the ascent of Mount Whitney in my next article. Until then.