PCT Day 4 – Zero Day in Mount Laguna

by admin | Apr 17, 2018 | Pacific Crest Trail

PCT Day 4 – Zero Day in Mount Laguna

I had originally planned to take a zero day in Mount Laguna. A zero day is a day in which you hike no miles and typically rest or take care of town chores. This was to help give my body a chance to adjust to the torment I am now putting it through. But last night when I went to bed I had changed my mind and decided i was going to hike on – the weather forecast looked great for hiking, I didn’t feel anywhere near as sore Id thought I’d be and my new water filter arrives in Julian tomorrow. Then I woke up and my body wasn’t so happy with the idea. I was nauseated, dizzy, feeling weak and slightly tachycardic (definitely multiple code 4 triggers). So began the battle of the mind vs the battle of the body. My mind wanted to desperately hike on afraid that showing weakness so early in the thru-hike but my body was screaming “stop, rest I promise you’ll thank me later”. In the end my body won and my mind made the tough decision to stay and it was really for the best. I don’t have a good track record of listening to what my body tells me so I’m proud that I did.

John left at 7 and I went back to bed. At 9 I was able to book the room for an additional night and spent the majority of it sleeping, reading and making a few phone calls. I am feeling a lot better now and looking forward to hitting the trail tomorrow with the cooler weather and mostly downhill day ahead of me.

If you ever decide to do a thru-hike yourself my solid advise would be to take it slow to start and listen to your body. Unless your in amazing physical shape… something that I am not. If your hiking the PCT i definitely recommend the Mount Laguna Lodge. Big rooms, comfortable beds, real hot showers and they even provide thru-hikers with a bucket and laundry detergent free of charge… mostly to encourage you not to do your laundry in the bathtub.

Day 3 – Cribbets Creek Campground to Mount Laguna

by admin | Apr 16, 2018 | Pacific Crest Trail

Start: Cribbets Creek Campground – PCT mile 32.6

End: Mount Laguna – PCT mile 42.7

Distance: 10.1 miles

Steps: 26422

Weather: 27 Celsius sunny

I slept well last night even though in the dark I set my tent up on a strange angle. It was nice to fall sleep listening to the sounds of frogs in the distance.

I woke up at 6am and hit the trail by 7. Today’s goal is make it to Mount Laguna which is only 10 miles away but a significant gain in elevation. I walked alone most of the day at a pretty good pace but I’m really hoping I start adjusting to this heat sooner rather than later.

After the climb was out of the way the trail went through a forest and the air had this incredible smell of wood. The shade was also a welcomed relief from the relentless beating the sun had been giving me. I got into Mount Laguna at 12:30 and joined a few hikers at the Pine House Cafe and Tavern. I felt unwell and disorientated likely dehydrated or maybe my filter didn’t do it’s job. I consumed a large quantity of water and devoured a BBQ chicken sandwich before heading up to the Mount Laguna Lodge.

I had mailed myself a package here from San Diego only because I bought too much food at the time. I got my package and inquired if they had any rooms available for the night… they did and I jumped on the opportunity. I’m hoping that a good night sleep in a comfortable bed helps my stomach feel better. 70$ for the night and a bucket to do laundry in… sounded like a great deal to me. Even better I later ran into John and he is splitting the room with me.

Now showered, laundry done, new water filter ordered (to be delivered to Julian) and blog updated I’m ready for a good night sleep.

Day 2 – Hauser Creek – Cribbets Flat Campground

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.

Day 1 – Southern Terminus to Mile 15.4

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