by admin | Apr 13, 2018 | Pacific Crest Trail
Start: Mike 15.4 Hauser Creek)
End: Mile 32.6
Distance:17.2 miles (27.68)
Steps: 38392
Weather: sunny 26 degrees Celsius
It has been a long hard and hot day. I was awoken twice last night by border officers on patrol with there ATVS (at least that what I think they were). It was however cool and comfortable in my tent. At 5 am I made the decision to get out of bed, pack up and eat and was on the trail by 6. The climb up wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be but I’m definitely glad that I didn’t attempt it last night. My water situation was good but not great so I rationed my water.
I arrived in Lake Morena at 9 am and set off immediately to the “Malt Shop” for a breakfast burrito which I had heard so much about. I’m happy to say it did not disappoint. I chugged a liter of poweraid and enjoyed a cold Pepsi. I spent some time relaxing and chatting with fellow hikers before setting off to Bolder Oaks Campground which was only 6 miles away and had good water.
I walked in to Boulder Oaks at about 1 and had lunch with some of the people I had been hiking with. The decision was made to push on to Kitchen Creek to make tomorrow easier. I went to filter some water (first time I’ve had to do so since starting the trail) and unfortunately learned my filter is not working so well… but it eventually got the job done. Lesson learned here I didn’t test it before I left home but fortunately one of the few things i carry a backup for is water. I left the campground feeling like a fool and wondering if my filter did it’s job.
I ran into John just before Kitchen Creek who suggested continuing on to Cribbets Creek Camp Ground which is another almost 5 miles ahead and 0.3 miles off trail. It was a little more than I hoped to walk but it would really set me up well for Mount Laguna the next day… also my stomach isn’t feeling the best so I thought it prudent to be somewhere with a toilet… (maybe my filter didn’t do it’s job)…so I said yes. Turns out everyone that we were with made the same decision. We arrived at 8pm to Cribbets Creek and I set up my tent in the dark. I was so tired I didn’t even eat dinner.
Almost 18 miles when i add in the Non PCT miles so I’m pretty happy about that.
by admin | Apr 10, 2018 | Pacific Crest Trail
Start: Southern Terminus
End: Mile 15.4 (Hauser Creek)
Distance: 15.4 miles (24.77kms)
Steps: 38392
Weather: sunny 26 degrees Celsius.
I did not sleep well last night at Scout and Frodo’s place even though I was definitely tired. Anticipation for the journey to begin the next day kept me wide awake. Finally at 04;00 hrs I gave up hope and got out of bed.
Breakfast consisting of eggs, muffins and oats were served at 5:30 as there morning ritual kicked into high gear. By 6:00 all bags were packed and we were off to the southern terminus.
I had the honour of riding shotgun with Frodo and shared my completely random story about how I came to learn about the PCT. I was at work board using an app called “stumble upon” which takes to you random websites based on categories you have selected and up came a website about the PCT. 2 years later here I am. Life is truly random.
Group starting the PCT together
I was feeling a lot of different things standing here mere feet away from the Mexican border and 2650 miles from the Canadian one. But What ever happens from here I’m proud that I’ve come out and given it a shot. Over the first 5 miles my stresses and worries seemed to melt away… I was doing this and I slowly started to smile. I met a section biker named Ron who I stuck near most of the day. He seemed to like my frequent break strategy. After 5 miles I stopped, stretched and evaluation how I was feeling. At 10 miles I did the same I was feeling good and ready to finish the day at Hauser and now here I am.
it was a tough first mile… who knew a mile was so long?
I understand now why so many people wake up ridiculously early, nap in the afternoon and then hike into the evening. The sun here is just relentless. Fortunately I bought some SPF 100 to keep me from getting absolutely burned to a crisp.
Not much relief from the shade out here.
I met and chatted with many people during the day and help someone with their blistered and payed close attention to another man who was quite dehydrated. The first real water sourse on the PCT this year is in Lake Morena which is another 4.6 miles from here up a long climb.
About a mile from camp I saw my first rattle snake at the side of the road. He didn’t seem to mind me much as I took his photo and went on my way.
In camp, set up in my zpacks Duplex for the first time. It’s considered a two person tent so it’s got lots of room for me and my gear. The sun has set and it’s finally cooling off and nature is serenading to sleep. Shortly before going to bed a man name Charlie drove up in his beaten up moped. He said he loved two miles up the road and liked to come talk to hikers once and a while… an interesting fellow.It’s hiker midnight 8pm and time for me to go to bed. If I can get to Lake Morea before 10am I’m told there are delicious breakfast burritos to be had.
you get a little board walking around and the rocks start to look like things. This is a fish jumping out of the water I wish was there
by admin | Apr 9, 2018 | Uncategorized
I woke up early this morning and set about the last few things I needed to get done before heading to Scout and Frodo’s place. Scout and Frodo are what are termed “Trail Angles”- People that help hikers with all manner of things. They are some of the best people I have ever had the fortune to meet and are amazing ambassadors for the Pacific Crest Trail. If you ever decide to do the PCT I highly recommend staying with them. They are a wealth of information, they feed you while your hear and drive you to the trailhead for the start of your journey. If your an international Hiker you can spend 2 or 3 days here before the start of your trip which gives you a chance to get organized. Today there are hikers here from all over Europe, the USA, 2 Canadians and a man from Asia that barely speaks any English. Truly a beautiful environment.
I have the amazing opportunity to meat over 30 hikers here and ask questions about our journeys that start tomorrow. There is a lot of nervous energy, excitement, support, stories and laughs. While preparing to hike the PCT I spent a lot of time reading things on the internet that told me I was preparing all wrong and was overjoyed when i found out many of my fellow hikers i have been talking with had made many of the same decisions I have made. This is especially true when it comes to “base weight” (content of your back packs minus consumables). An ultra light hiker will have a base weight of 10lbs whereas I currently sit at 23 and a total pack weight of 45lbs with 6 liters of water. Although this is still heavy and I’ll be trying to lower this as I go.
Dinner was tacos and stuffed jalapeños peppers and was eaten in a circle outside and Scout and Frodo gave last minute advice and told several stories about the trail. A deck of cards were found an games were played.
Lights out at 9 as it’s an early start tomorrow. Wheels up at 6:00 to the southern Terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail and the official start to Another Day in Paradise 🙂
by admin | Apr 8, 2018 | Pacific Crest Trail
I’ve been in Sunny San Diego for the past 4 days mostly sightseeing but also getting all the last minute things to do checked off my list. My flight to San Diego was on points (Ottawa to Boston – Boston to Washington – Washington to San Diego). It was a long day but at least I had the row to myself on the last flight to San Diego and my baggage made it in one piece.
In stark contrast to the weather back home I left the airport to be greeted by sunshine and warmth. I always forget just how great the warm sun feels… it’s almost like A sudden surge of vitamin D returning. I checked into my hotel in the Gaslight district and got myself a US SIM card. I can’t say a lot of good things about the Ramada Gaslight but it was cheap, close to most things and had a great rooftop patio. On my way back to the hotel I saw a homeless lady try to pick a fight with a moving car then toss her completed bottle of booze across the street then proceed to toss construction signs onto the road… at least I wasn’t working. I forced myself to stay up long enough to make a reasonable attempt to adjust to the 3 hour time difference.
Day 2: San Diego Zoo
Today was my chance to stop at the world famous San Diego Zoo and it definitely did not disappoint. I walked there through Balboa Park which is full of many museums. Had I more time i definitely would have spent more exploring around here. I spent a good 8 hours exploring around the Zoo and could have probably gone back the next day. They have such an amazing assortment of animals… lions and tigers and bears oh my!
Day 3: Grocery supply & USS Midway
Time to start getting down to the business of getting prepared for this hike. One of the main reasons i chose the hotel I did was because of its proximity to the post office and grocery store. I explored the Ralph’s and bought enough food for the first 3 days and to send ahead to Warner Springs. I bought way to much food so I ultimately ended up sending a second box to Mount Laguna. You can resupply here easy enough but I’d already bought the food so. My food selection is primarily Ramen, chocolate, peanut butter and tortilla. I know your getting hungry just thinking about it.
I then visited the USS Midway museum which is an old Aircraft Carrier that has been repurposed into a museum. I was fairly rushed so I didn’t get the chance to really take in the history. But being on the flight deck or bridge or anywhere on an Aircraft carrier is eye opening. These are massive ships that house over 4000 crew complete with medical, post offices, dentists. The captain actually has two bedrooms. One below deck and one behind the helm so that he can always be nearby if something goes wrong.
But there was a problem – I had walked about 35 Kms over the past two days and my feet were killing me. My shoes were pinching in all the wrong places and by feet felt like they were on fire. With every step my right pinky toe was getting squished. I had worn these shoes in the gym for the past two months with no issues. But two days of long walking and I knew I could not continue with them. I hopped an Uber to Adventure 16 an hour before they closed and tried on every shoe they had. Finally I settled on a pair of Vasque shoes and crossed my fingers they would treat my feet better.
Day 4: The Coast
Today I took to the coast for my one and only chance to see the ocean while traveling along the Pacific Crest Trail. Despite popular Belief the trail does not travel along the coast but rather travels inland along mountain ridges. I visited La Jolla Park and Blacks Beach. I was completely amazed by the beauty the Californian coast line had to offer (minus the naked old men that can be found at Blacks Beach). At La Jolla there were a large number of seals and a lone US fish and wildlife officer warning the tourists to stay away. The weather was perfect and sat around relaxing enjoying my second last day.
I walked about 10kms and am happy to report my new shoes feel way better than my old ones. Thank God.
I returned to my hotel and packed my boxes and settled into my cosy bed for the night.
