PCT18 day 4 28 Apr

Caylie dropped me back at the trailhead and we said our goodbyes. It’s very difficult to contemplate 4 months or more apart from her. I feel sad.

About midday I made it to the water cache at Scissors Crossing. Trail Angels were performing trail magic. Had some fruit and veggies and got some water. There were about 20 hikers there.

The afternoon got very windy. Gusts that will almost blew one over. No way to put up a shelter because the wind blows the tarp into the cactus. No bueno. Hopefully it will be calm tomorrow.

Pct2 26 Apr

21.8-42.3m. Enjoyed the cool night. Daytime temps are hot but nighttime drops into the 40s or even lower. It was absolutely quiet except for the owl in a nearby tree that periodically had a lot to say.

Walking at 6:05. A lot of climbing today. Stopped and talked to a local rancher for about 20 min. He had some interesting ideas, including treating giardia with an aquarium solution. Got to Mt Laguna at 3:00 and checked in to the Lodge. Meeting Caylie here.

Mt Laguna is at about 6000 ft and surrounded by pines. Not the desert I was expecting.

Hiked some with Scooter today. Also met a couple from South Africa.

Pct 1 25 Apr

0-21.8m. Started from Southern terminus at 6:35 AM. I very much wish Caylie were doing the hike with me.

At the ST I met Scooter. Young guy, super ultra light gear, has hiked the AT, CT, LT. We hiked together for a while but he was faster. Then met Pierre Luc from Quebec. He was red from heat, sweating profusely and had dropped his pack in the middle of the trail like it was a bad habit. These first two people I met represent the extremes of the trail. I doubt I’ll see PL again. Thought I wouldn’t see Scooter again but ran in to him in Lake Morena.

Was fairly hot today, especially the climb out of Hauser Creek Canyon. Hung out in LM from 2:30 till 5:30, letting the temp drop. Then hiked a mile or so out of town and set up camp. I want to do 20 mile days for the first 100 miles, and then start increasing.

The hills are bursting with candle of our lord cactus in full bloom. Very beautiful. Saw many rabbits, squirrels, lizards and one turkey.