Bright Gaters

 I'm afraid that there is a misapprehension about my new shoes. The brightly colored things are called gaiters, made by Dirty Girl Gaiters. It is made of Lycra and serves to keep dust and rocks out of my shoes.  I've been wearing them from the start and they are a huge help.

Since my break in Reno I've fallen behind my hiking buddies and am now hiking alone. The landscape in the Northern Sierras is beautiful and I'm enjoying the first solitude of the trip. It is really stunning with small lakes nestled into the hillside.

Trail break

I made it to Sierra City, Cal. on May 25. Despite the very pleasant hiking conditions I was in need of a break. My hiking shoes were shot (over 750 miles and torn) and I somehow managed to get some dust in my right eye which got scratched.

Dory's high school friend Abby J and Mark came to my rescue, picking me up from Sierra City and bringing me to their home in Carson City NV via the REI in Reno.

I visited the doctor in Reno and learned I have a scratch on my conjunctiva (the white part of the eye). The doctor gave me a prescription for fancy eye drops. Fortunately it's a minor problem.

Vista from the trail

Hikers at the store in Sierra City

Mile 702

Mile 702, the Kennedy Meadows General Store, is a major landmark for PCT hikers. It signals the end of the Southern California Desert and the beginning of the High Sierras. Reaching this spot also means we have hiked slightly more than one quarter of the trail.

This year has been exceptionally dry, and I have grown used to hiking 30 or more miles without encountering water.

However, ironically, there is a lot of fresh snow in the high sierras. There are many reports of hikers being turned back. As a result a few of us are skipping forward to Donner Pass and will hike north. I want to enjoy these mountains and I think it will  be better without snow and ice.

Not a hobo!

I'm in Tehachapi doing a resupply at Albertsons. Outside, at a bench , I was approached by a lady who tried to give me a few bucks. "I just want to help out those less fortunate". "Oh no, I'm a hiker not a hobo!" I said.

Actually, I kind of feel like a hobo.

Above the Mojave

Walking next to the LA aqueduct.

The Andersons

ITrail angels are special, unique people. Some of the offer rides, some stock water caches, and some open their homes to hikers. We are currently staying at the Anderson's, near mile 478. 

I wasn't planning on coming here, but as I joined a few others at the highway a pickup stopped and asked if we needed a ride to the Andersons. A sign from the fates.

The Swiss guy

Kind of like a hippy heaven.

Not sure what's going on here.

Evidently there is a free taco salad dinner every night!

A typical day

Here is what a typical day on the Southern California PCT is like for me.

4:30 wake up, make coffee, eat granola, pack. Leave by 5:30 (light enough to see)

9 or 10 a.m.  take a break along the trail. Depending on the terrain I might have made 8-10 miles.

1 pm lunch break maybe 30-45 mins

4 pm late break. Plan for camping spot

530-6 pm camp. Set up tent, collect water if available, cook. In tent in sleeping bag no later than 730. 

With this routine I make 17-24 miles a day, depending on elevation gain.

Sleep. Repeat!

Some random flower pics

Spring is pretty nice in the desert. Here are some flowers I've shot