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

4 Days in San Diego

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.

So I’m Hiking the PCT

by Ben Ripley | Apr 7, 2018 | Pacific Crest Trail