PCT Day 74: Back in the desert

Tuesday, 18 September 2018

Junction to Outfitter (1952.2) – Manter Creek & Tentsite (1959.1): 7.1 miles / 665.6 total miles walked

The night in the trailer was more restful than I had hoped, so I woke up pretty refreshed around 7am. I went inside where Scott had already made coffee. We chatted for a while, until Sink came by, when the conversation naturally focused on her again.

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PCT Day 73: On to sunnier climes

Monday, 17 September 2018

Mammoth Lakes – Kennedy Meadows: 0 miles

We got up early to catch the bus. It all went very smoothly, with a transfer in Bishop.

I was able to see Mt. Whitney briefly from a distance, a bittersweet feeling for sure. Someday I will be up there, I know it. Just not this year….

After a few hours we reached Inyokern and the heat of the desert. We were immediately picked up by Scott and Kendra (of Kennedy Meadows Grumpy Bear’s fame) and treated to a delicious lunch at their favorite Mexican restaurant.

Afterwards we ran some errands and then headed to a local bar for a few drinks.

Another few hours passed and we then went to their house, had excellent dinner and said hi to two beautiful horses. The night was spent in a trailer in front of their house.

Thank you so much for all your hospitality and help, Kendra and Scott, you are amazing people!

Tomorrow we head back to the trail.

Keeping you posted…

PCT Day 68: JMT Day 5

Wednesday, 12 September 2018

Mammoth Lakes: 0 miles

Typical zero day, necessitated by having to wait for the stupid USPS to do what it is supposed to.

Pretty much all we did today was move from the Cinnamon Bear Inn to the Motel 6, which is really close.

I did pick up one resupply box that was already at the post office. My bag is SO HEAVY now.

Keeping you posted…

PCT Day 66: JMT Day 3

Monday, 10 September 2018

Lyell Canyon (27.4) – Rush Creek (38.8): 11.4 miles / 631.1 total miles walked

My alarm was set for 6am, but I woke up before that. Last night wasn’t as cold as the night before, my thermometer showed roughly 35°F. So I got up and fetched our bear canisters and cook pots from the hiding place. No visitors overnight, thankfully. After I left Sink’s stuff next to her tent, I sorted my food…..and somehow I felt like it got colder all of a sudden. I checked the thermometer again and look and behold….below 30°. WTH??? How could the temperature drop even though the sun was about to come out?

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PCT Day 65: JMT Day 2

Sunday, 9 September 2018

Sunrise High Sierra Camp (13.4) – Lyell Canyon (27.4): 14 miles / 619.7 total miles walked

Last night was the first time I actually had to wear my puffy to sleep. I even closed the clasps on the quilt to make it more like a sleeping bag, and then pulled the quilt over my head. And still I was almost chilled.

When I woke up (or rather my alarm startled me awake) I looked at the thermometer and it was somewhere below 30°F/ 0°C.

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PCT Day 64: JMT Day 1

Saturday, 8 September 2018

Yosemite Valley (0) – Sunrise High Sierra Camp (13.4): 13.4 miles / 605.7 total miles walked

The smell of smoke lingered all night and it was really hot. Despite all that I slept decently, probably because last night was so short.

My alarm woke me from a strange dream at 5 am. It was still pitch black outside, but we managed to pack up and head out by 5:30. We took the road to the Happy Isles trailhead and started climbing immediately.

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