Episode 58: Day 126 -130

Day 126:

After breakfast in the tent, I went into the lodge to charge my electronics and, of course, to buy candy bars. Had a great talk with concierge, a guy from Pennsylvania, and then I left at 11:30am.

Wow. It is sunny and hot today. I thought it was supposed to be fall? Time to use my handy dandy umbrella.

Cruised through a 9 mile dry stretch before using my new UV-pen for the first time to treat water. IT IS SO FAST!

Met a SOBO hiker who suggested I look into the Ross Lake Trail as an alternative to getting to Canada if the PCT proper is snowed in. Good to know.

Camped right before an 11 mile dry stretch – was not about to make that push.

Today:

Im trusting this UV Pen:

Love from Mama:

11 miles today.

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Day 127:

Rest day.

Read a book called Shabbat, by Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel gifted to me by my friend Spencer. Lots of esoteric concepts, but definitely some good stuff in there.

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Day 128:

Great start at 7:30am! Motivation provided by Sir Ernest Shackelton’s South. But, low battery, so I need to conserve.

Met another NOBO, UV! I heard about her from other hikers, but finally met. We sat by a creek and had a ukulele jam session. It was awesome!

Met a SOBO named Justin, and had a a great chat with him about life and trail. He talked to me about his commitment to continuous footpath and he was so excited to hear that I walked around the Gap Fire. Then we went our separate ways. Five minutes later, I realized I had the reroute written down on my phone, I dropped my pack and ran to catch him, sharing the route so he doesn’t have to recreate it from scratch. Lost a bit of time, but I felt good about it.

Reunited with UV several miles later and we decided to cowboy camp.

25 miles today.

Open space:

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Day 129:

OH MY GOSH. IT IS SO COLD. Leaving my sleeping bag is painful. But I guess this is what I get for not setting up my tent.

I put on every piece of clothing I owned, including my rain gear, to warm up.

Left camp at 8:20am and continuously leapfrogged with UV throughout the day. Had lunch together at a cabin/shelter by the trail. Said our “goodbyes” since she was going into the next town to resupply and I wasn’t, meaning another reunion was unlikely.

A few miles later I ran into Blur! Haven’t seen him in a while, close to 20 days.

Kept hiking, and kept my motivation rolling with lots of singing and self talk.

When the motivation ran out, I camped at the first flat spot I could find.

22 miles today.

Getting closer:

Who put that tree there?!:

Rocks on rocks on rocks:

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Day 130:

Hit the trail before 8am despite the cold temps.

Was cruising along for a while but eventually I entered Fallen-Tree-Obstacle-Course-Land. Seriously, downed tress all over the trail. Kept singing in my head: Can’t go over it, Can’t go under it, Can’t go around it, Got to go through it!

Didn’t meet any thru-hikers today, but I passed several tents. Maybe i’m catching up with the last NOBO bubble?

The rest of the day was rocky climbs and epic views. Said my goodbye’s to Mt. Shasta, which has been in sight every day for nearly a month.

And for the first time, I realized that i’m getting fewer hours of daylight each day.

22 miles today.

Happy hiker: