Episode 31: Day 51-53

Day 51:

IT IS SO WINDY! Packing up was a chore… Anything that I didn’t have in my hands had to be held down by rocks so it wouldn’t be swept away by the relentless gusts. But eventually, I was all packed up and ready to go.

Legs are feeling fresh and strong. Finally getting my hiker legs.

Took a glorious midday nap near a water source. I slept well knowing that I wasn’t going to face another 20 mile dry stretch for quite some time (at least until Northern California).

I woke up to the sound of two hikers collecting water. I recognized them from the group that was concerned over the nearby fire. Looks like they decided to push on as well. After introducing myself to Jammin and Superstar, I played some songs for them on my ukulele (per request)… They don’t call me Troubadour for nothing.

Left our mini oasis a little after 4pm, and climbed 1400 ft before setting up camp.

17 miles today

Cacti in bloom!:

Dirty is the new tan:

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Day 52:

Rest day! Eat, sleep, and read.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough water to comfortably dry camp for another night, so I packed up at 9:20pm and hiked to the next water source, setting up again camp at 11pm.

5 miles.

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Day 53:

This morning’s hike is completely exposed, no shade at all. I miss my umbrella…

After several hours of hiking, I found a sliver of shade to take a midday rest in. Had some lunch and played lots of ukulele. There is something really special about feeling that comfortable alone on a ridge in the wilderness. Feels like home.

Hiked down to the next water source, where I met another hiker, Spare Liter. After dinner, we headed out together. And I’m so glad we did, since I wasn’t alone when we walked right by a green mojave, one of the baddest rattlensnakes around. This guy was huge! He got up tall and hissed and rattled incessantly. Spare Liter and I got out of there ASAP. I didn’t even stop to take a picture!

A little later we cooled down with a swim in the Kern River. He then set up camp and I kept hiking, I wanted to make it to Kennedy Meadows. HELLO CENTRAL CALIFORNIA!

21 miles today

Foot therapy:

Dip in the Kern: