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