Above is one of the rattlesnakes I have seen, the desert is below, along with my summit of Mt. Marion.

And of course the tarantula!

So this last stretch was fairly mellow for elevation gain and loss. We do end up crossing an interstate where there is a McDonald's .4 miles from the trail. Yes, I ate at McDonald's! I had 4 breakfast burritos, a hash brown, and an OJ. Then went next door at the gas station for ice cream. Legend has it that a thru-hiker challenged a 400 lb woman to an eat off at McD's and the thru-hiker won. After that we had a detour around a burned area. The rest is history and I am in Wrightwood, CA, mile 373!

Big Bear Lake, CA

Well I am taking my official second day off. On the trail these are called "zero days." This means that you have hiked no miles that day. I just got done with 6 days out: 17 miles, 12 miles, 13, miles, 30 miles, 19 and 10. My pack was a bit heavier with an ice axe and microspikes (crampons for tennis shoes that help you walk in the snow) along with all the food. On day two and three I had to deal with hiking on snow and navigation, two things I have never done! Definitely burned more calories and had a higher level of stress. The area is named the San Juacinto Wilderness, near Idyllwild, CA. On day three I decided to summit Mt. Marion at around 10,388 ft above sea level. After that I descended and glacaded for the first time. Here's how it works: sit on your butt start sliding on the snow, then use the pick on your ice axe as a rudder and a brake. Lots of fun and very fast, but I snapped one of my shoulder straps in the process.
On day four I did a 30 miler on easy terrain, and ended up camping on the Whitewater River. We arrived around 4 pm and swam for an hour after the long hike through the desert. A perfect day.
New trail names: Jaybird, Sir-Mix-A-Lot, April Showers, Structure, and my favorite yet: Beer Gryllis-Man vs. Beer.
New animals: bat, kit-fox, 5 different lizards, centipede.

Still having a problem getting pics, I may start a photobucket account and I'll send out the link. Happy mothers day!!

Warner Springs CA

Had to start the trip off on the right foot with the airline sending my bag to Chicago while I went to San Diego. I was able to pick it up later thanks to my ride (Carolyn and Cush). First time I have checked my bag in 5 years!! So my ride to the trailhead began with being dropped off at the border in Campo, CA. I had to see at least 30 border patrol SUV's and 1 ATV. They asked me to see the bottom of my shoe. Apparently they 1) drive the length of the border leaving treadmarks 2)patrol the same road with the unmanned airplane mounted with a camera checking for footprints on those same treadmarks. They were looking at my shoes to make sure I did not match anyone they were looking for that night. This all occured at 7:00 pm, almost dark. So I hiked for 4 miles to reach a creek for camping. Woke up early and headed into Lake Morena 17 miles later. The desert was in full bloom due to the high rain fall this year. The next 5 days of mileage were: 19, 23, 18, 24, and 8 miles into Warner Springs.
Interesting names: On these long distance trails, hikers are usually given a name to use while they are on the trail. It usually is based on some embarrassing moment. Here are a few: Karma, Cow Whisperer, Jester, Balls, Smiles, and the most memorable so far, Assface.
Interesting stories:
1) I bought a pair of hiking shorts with an underwear liner in them. Well, these cause me to "chafe" so I had to cut them out. The strange part is that I did this while the shorts were still on, very carefully.
2) I was hiking along the trail and came across a fellow hiker sitting down. He had claimed to have a tick in his belly button and asked if I knew a way to get him out. I responded with 2 answers, pull it out or apply heat to it to make it back out. He chose both and heated up his tweezers and tried to pull it out. He ended up burning half of the body with the tick still embedded. Unsatisfied with the results, he pulled out his lighter and tried to apply a direct flame to the tick! One try and he burned half the hair on his stomach, that's when I left.

Animal list: 1 rattle snake, 3 humming birds, tons of lizards, heard the howl of some wolves, red tail hawks, coyotes barking, and lots of small birds.

Well that is all for now. There are some sketchy sections of trail that have some ice and snow, so I had my mom mail me my ice axe. Also this computer doesn't have a USB port access so no pics yet. Til next time!!

Mexican Border Tomorrow!!!

Hola!! Well, after leaving Sarasota, I stopped in Orlando and Gainesville to see friends. My friends fiance in Orlando asked me a question I have never been asked about backpacking: So, do you lock up your tent @ night? After a good laugh I said no, a knife would make access to the tent around the lock. Now I am in Knoxville, TN hanging out with my folks. I went zip-lining with my mom today and then a hike in the afternoon. My flight is tomorrow and I will arrive in San Diego @ 1:00 pm. My ride, which I am grateful for, is dropping me off @ the Mexican border. I'll hike a few miles til sunset, and then the rest of the way to Lake Morena on Friday.

There is a festival called the Kick Off every year for the PCT. It is a place for former and current hikers to get together and talk about the trail, gear, and have a few beers. I will be there Friday and part of Saturday.

Next post I will put put up some photos to show my setup of pack and tent. Less than 24 hours and I'll be on the trail!!!! Few more beers and some sleep b4 I set off!

What am I bringing? As little as possible!

Well, since I have done an extensive hike before, my mind is programmed to reduce weight as much as possible when carried by "me". So I have decided to construct my own pack and shelter (tarp) to reduce weight and do it economically. All of my other gear (except my stove) was store bought. Eventually I may attempt making rain gear and other clothes, but for now I don't have the time. Here we go:

Backpack

Tarp

Sleeping bag

Sleeping pad

Ground cloth

1 large trashbag

2 trekking poles

Stove (with wind screen)

1 pot

Fuel (denatured alcohol)

Spoon

Small green scrubber

Long johns

T-shirt

1 pair shorts

Fleece top

Rain jacket

3 pairs of socks

warm hat

Baseball cap

2 bandanas

Tennis shoes (with an upgrade for inserts)

Ankle high gaiters

Sunglasses

Analog/digital watch

Small flint

1 lighter

2nd skin and adhesive bandages (blister care)

Ibuprofin and excedrin

Pocket knife

Toothpaste

Toothbrush

Floss

Nail clippers

Head lamp

Sunscreen

Duct tape

Chap stick

Small wallet

100 ounce Camelbak bladder

Camera (w/charger, cable, spare battery, thumb drive)

Guidebook

Something to read

Journal

1 Pen

1 Pencil

5-7 days of food

1-3 liters of water

In central California I will pick up additional gear that will be mailed by my folks. This is due to the high Sierras. This mountain chain requires hiking at higher elevations along with leftover snow from the winter still on the ground in June . There is also a greater chance of a bear encounter. So here are the additions:

Ice axe

Rain pants

Sleeping bag liner

Bear canister

I am sure there is something that I have forgot, but this is it for the most part. I should have a base pack weight soon, which will not include food and water. More to come soon!!

Intro

Hello all! I am writing this blog to post my thoughts and experiences during my 5 month long hike of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). For those of you who do not know, the PCT is a 2650 mile trail running from Mexico to Canada through the states of California, Oregon and Washington. This will potentially be my second thru-hike, as I completed the Appalachian Trail in 2003. I will be starting my hike somewhere around April 23-25, and ending sometime late September or early October. Water will be available at seeps, streams, creeks, rivers, and lakes, although in southern California, hikers will rely on water drop points at road crossings. This is due to the desert-like conditions in southern Cal. For food I will buy from grocery stores as I go, by hitching into a town, shopping, and then hitching back to the trail.

Well, that is all for now! 36 days and counting til I start walking.