day 12, Recovery

Posted by James on March 23, 2015
Posted in: PCT. 1 Comment

March 22, Day 12

Idyllwild

Today was a day of rest and recovery.  I laid in bed with my left foot elevated and watched movies most of the day.   I alternated foot elevation with 5 minute ice baths.  I had forgotten how uncomfortable to down right painful ice baths can be.

In one of my few excursions from the room I walked down to the local gear outfitter named Nomads.  I met the manager, Robert, and we chatted about the trail and different outdoor adventures.

He’s semi retired and led a life of adventure.  As he put it, for many years he was paid to live outdoors.  As I so often do, I quipped without thinking, “So you never worked for a living.”   He got a chuckle out of that.

I told him the anticipated hiker numbers this year with over a thousand people starting the trail between April 8 and April 28.  He was staggered.  He’s likely to plan extra staff to help with the volume.

In our conversation he mentioned he had written a novel.  It’s called “Dirt Bags” and is a fictional novel based on two friends right out of high school living a life of adventure.  It was sold in the store, so I purchased a copy.   He was nice enough to sign it.

In the opening it references an interesting quote that I’ll paraphrase.

“Time and money have an inverse relationship. We have to spend one to get the other.  For anyone who has traveled on the cheap knows that time is more valuable.”

Life experiences don’t have to cost a lot and you rarely get the experiences you are looking for in the quest for money.

Brian and I have tried to move more toward the experience lifestyle and away from the possession lifestyle over the last 8 or so years.  While we still enjoy having nice things, it’s not our be all end all anymore.  I would trade any nice “thing” for a life long memory of a great experience any day.   I suspect this is part of the reason I have undertaken the thru hike now.

I had a gentleman comment on my age the other day.  Upon first meeting he sized me up and said, “you’re mid to late thirties aren’t ya?”

I respond, “Yeah, some where around there.”

He replied, “we don’t generally see many of your type thru hiking.”

I looked at him inquisitively but didn’t say anything.

He continued, “You know, people in their prime earning years.”

I can appreciate being in the minority. I am in a unique position in my ability to participate in a thru hike at this point in my life. Many individuals have significantly different lives in their mid 30s. Children, big mortgages, lots of bills, the list goes on.  My employment situation worked out just about perfectly to allow my hike to happen. However, this is only one of many factors.

Many people claim to want to do certain things and have dreams. When it comes down to it, many people will not make the appropriate changes or plans to make their dreams a reality.  This is one area Brian and I excel at.  Rarely is a fulfillment of a goal an accident.

That’s as far as I’ve made it in dirt bag thus far, but I’m sure it will be a great read.

After Nomads, I went back to the room for another ice bath and to contemplate dinner.   I decided on Mexican food again.  It was quite delicious.

In walking back to my room I received an email from Magee!  She invited me out for a beer.  They weren’t supposed to be here until Tuesday. I knew a good story was brewing.

I met them at a beer and wine bar called “idly awhile”. Clever.

We caught up and they told the tale of the alternate trail.  The first section of the trail was beautiful but after walking through a Girl Scout camp turned mercenary training center and discovering a 4 mile road walk, they decided to hitch into Idyllwild to skip the rest of the alternate.

They’re in good spirits and plan to spend a couple days in town then hit the trail either Tuesday or Wednesday.

My feet are recovering nicely. All of my previous blistered spots are nearly healed.   And after a day and a half of diligent massage and ice baths, my tendonitis is lessening.  Hooray for the miracle of the human body.

Keith, who put together the video for my departure, has his site up for anyone who would like to give it a watch.  It really is quite the production.  Cotton World Studios.

The plan is to hit the trail by midday tomorrow!  I’m ready for more miles and more adventures.

Day 11, PVC

Posted by James on March 22, 2015
Posted in: PCT. 1 Comment

March 21, Day 11

Mile 179. Idyllwild
I was up early, as seems to be the pattern as of late.  My trail life is mimicking my corporate life in that regard.  I have always been one to get to the office before most and get my day underway.
This pattern has served me well over the years.  I am in the office before most, so I am able to get a huge amount of worked accomplished without being interrupted.   Secondly, by around 4 in the afternoon, my work day is coming to a conclusion. Those whom come in at 9 will be at the office until 6 or later.  For me, this is inconceivable.
So far this has also served me well hiking.  I’m up early before the head. Generally I hike 10 miles before lunch, have a longer lunch and put in the rest of my miles before 5.
In the near future, when camp sites are limited, I think being ready to set up camp by 5 or 6 will work to my advantage.  While other hikers are still putting in their miles, I’ll have my pick of camp sites.
As I was tearing down camp, Magoo and Magee began to stir. Soon they were getting ready for their day as well.   We watched the sunrise and then I hit the trail.  They were still a little while from being ready to go, but we figured we would run into each other at Paradise Valley Cafe.
The hiking this morning was the roughest I’ve had.  The terrain wasn’t out of the ordinary. The temperature was cool with a slight breeze.  The conditions seemed perfect, but I just couldn’t get going.  I was just trudging along.  I felt really worn out.   My assumption is, the hike yesterday took a lot out of me and I hadn’t fully recovered.
With only 8 miles to hike in the morning, I knew dealing with the malaise would be rather short lived.  Paradise Valley Cafe is at PCT mile 152 and is a known hiker oasis.   It’s only a mile off trail, but is well worth the short walk to get there.
Additionally, I had a decision to make.  Part of the PCT has been closed since 2013 due to a fire that swept through.  To date, the trail hasn’t been made safe for hikers.  There are hopes that it will reopen in 2016.
Due to the closure there are a couple alternate routes. One is a road walk on hwy 74 and 243.  Both roads have very narrow shoulders which makes them exceptionally dangerous to walk along. The second option is a combination of side trails which add up to 2 additional days hiking.  If I did the side trails I would likely not arrive in Idyllwild until Tuesday.
Brian and Austin are due to visit Idyllwild on Monday for an overnight.  So the side trails weren’t really an option.  Additionally, if I took the side trails it would put me behind schedule getting into Kennedy Meadows.  I have a Snow Course I’m taking in the Sierra and if I fall behind, I will miss the start of the class and be left behind.
Some hikers are skipping the closed section of trail and hitching into Idyllwild.   I saw this to be my best option for a variety of reasons.  It preserves my schedule, I get to see Brian and Austin as planned and by getting to Idyllwild a day and a half early, I get some much needed rest and relaxation.  Aside from the tendonitis, I’m not suffering any injuries.  But I can feel the miles taking their toll.  I would much rather take a day or two off now to allow my body to get recover and get stronger. Versus, continuing on and potentially suffering overuse injuries early on.
The plan is to come back and hike the closed section when it reopens.
Within an hour of hiking, Khalil caught up to me.  I assumed he was ahead of me since I hadn’t seen him camping the night before.  Turns out, I started before he did this morning and hadn’t noticed his camp when I passed it.
We hiked together a bit and chatted, then true to form, he was off.
We met up at Paradise Valley Cafe and had breakfast together.   Soon after, Magoo and Magee rolled in.  We all enjoyed breakfast and made preparations for our afternoon.  Khalil refilled his water containers.  Magee and Magoo collected their resupply package they had mailed to the cafe sometime before.  Their plan was to take the detour that added a few days.  Khalil didn’t make his plan abundantly clear.  He seems to wing it a lot.
After lunch, I hitched a ride into Idyllwild and found a reasonable place to stay until Tuesday morning.  The amenities of modern life are pretty amazing when you’ve been existing without them.  Running water? A toilet? Hot water?   Yes, please.
Here’s to rest and recovery.  I’ll be back on the trail Tuesday.  Stay tuned!

General house keeping and info.  please read. 

Posted by James on March 20, 2015
Posted in: Uncategorized. 2 Comments

Photos 

I haven’t been posting many photos as of yet. Yes I’m taking several but my internet connection is often spotty at best so they do not upload properly. 

Subscribers.

If you are a subscriber to my blog, you get emails when I post something.  If you receive an email that is blank other than the title, please click on the link in the email message.  Wordpress is being weird and sometimes isn’t posting the body of the message.  I check this immediately after posting and correct the issue  So the content is on my blog, but it isn’t being emailed to you.  My apologies, I don’t know why WordPress is doing this. 

As always, thanks for reading! 

Day 10, There be Burners here.

Posted by James on March 20, 2015
Posted in: PCT. 1 Comment

Mach 20, Day 10.

PCT mile 144, Table Mountain

This morning was the coldest on trail.  It was 40 degrees when I woke up in the bunk house, after a rather restless night.  I seem to be much more alert at the faintest of noises since starting this trip, so I wake up easily.  Khalil and I were sharing the bunk house and every time he would roll over I would hear him and wake up.
Around 6:30, Tom came in to let us know breakfast was ready.  I had been awake since 530, but hadn’t wanted to get up due to the temperature.  Now having a reason to get up, it didn’t seem as cold.  Funny how hot coffee and warm food will do that for you,
We both got dressed and walked over the to house.  Upon entered we were greeted by the smell of Chorizo and Eggs, and were overcome with a sensation I haven’t felt first thing in the morning in 10 days…. Warmth.  It was quite toasty in the house.
Tom joined us for breakfast and the conversation flowed from the trail, to his place in Kennedy Meadows, and to the snow pack in the Sierra.  Contrary to some of the reports I have seen, Tom indicated the Sierra had an average year of snow.
After Khalil and I finished our first plate of food, Tom said, “Don’t be shy, I know hikers. Go get more.”
We both had a second helping.  When we finished we were both pretty stuffed to the gills.  At this point it was around 745 and time to hit the trail.  The sun had come up and warmed the landscape to make for a pleasant morning walk.
The next water source was 10 miles away, so we both took on 3 liters of water.   In usual fashion, within 10 minutes, Khalil was out of sight.  At 5’5 and 100 pounds he moves down the trail effortlessly.
Around 930, I met two new thru hikers.  A couple named Magoo and Magee. They were just tearing down camp, so I stopped and chatted for a few minutes.  I have learned I need little reason to take a little break.
They are from Portland via San Francisco and San Diego,  Very nice people.   After a few minutes of chatting I hit the trail.
Around 1030 I took a little break to “do some paperwork” and Magoo and Magee passed me.  I was off the trail in the bushes, so they didn’t realize it.
About 30 minutes later I caught up to them and we hiked together until the next water stop, Tule Spring.   Conversation flowed naturally.  It was nice to hike with people at my natural pace. I had yet to experience that on trail.   Magoo is a writer and editor.  Magee is a massage therapist.  Their banter between one and another is one perfected over time.   Later I learned they had been together 13 years.
Having their fill of water, they were back on trail leaving me behind.  They had said they would likely camp at mile 140, or may potentially go on to 144.  I stayed behind a few minutes to attend to my feet and stretch a little.
About 1245 I hit the trail again.  I hiked alone until a particularly hard stretch.  We climbed roughly 1200 feet over the course of a couple miles.  The afternoon heat was in full effect and was sapping my energy reserves.
Magoo and Magee stopped to take a break and i had chugged on.  As a result I caught up with them shortly before we summited the ridge line.  We were roughly 2 miles from Mile 144 and agreed we would all camp there.
After dropping off the ridge line, we saw a sign for a water cache a mile ahead.  Having just enough water to make it to Paradise Valley Cafe, I was hopeful there would be water at the cache.  Having “enough” water and having plenty of water are 2 very different things.
Enough means, I won’t  die of dehydration, but I cant drink as I wish.   Plenty of water is self explanatory.
We arrived to a newly replenished cache.  I immediately drank a liter of water I had been carrying and filled the bottle.  I also refilled a bottle I had drank most of on the ascent.  It was a nice treat after a grueling and hot afternoon.
The effects of dehydration and fatigue were evident in Magee.  As she went to fill her bottle, she opened the valve on the water jug only to realize the cap was still on her bottle and water spilled on the ground. We all got a big chuckle out of that.
Magoo was filling out the hiker log at right next to the water cache and Magee was trying to get to the next jug in the water cache.  With Magoo standing right next to it, Magee quips in a particularly thick English accent, “would you mind taking a step back, we’ve only got the whole fucking desert here.”
I roared with laughter.  Again, banter between a couple that develops over time.  Couples newly together would have been offended.  After a time, you learn when you spouse is having a fun and you take it in stride.
We took some pictures standing in front of the water cache, which displayed a sign saying PCT Class of 2015.  It was my first non-selfie on the trail.
As they were loading up, I pushed, of course up a steep grade, the remaining mile to our home for the evening, campsites among huge boulders overlooking the town of Anza.
We had dinner together and shared some goodies.  I shared some dehydrated peaches I had made over the winter.  Magee, being english, always has a cup of tea after dinner. She offered me one as well.
After chatting a bit, I asked if they were burners.  Sure enough they are.  They attended burning man in 2009 and 2011.   They just seemed to have that vibe.
Today was a 17 miler.  Another great day hiking, another great day meeting new and interesting people.

Day 9, House in the woods. 

Posted by James on March 20, 2015
Posted in: PCT. 2 Comments

March 19 Day 9. 

I slept like a rock last night, and hit the trail about 7:15.  I camped a bout a mile outside of Warner Springs on the side of a hill.  I wasnt quite high enough to avoid the morning dew, so I got quite a bit of condensation.   On top of that the temperature was 42 degrees.
By 740 I walked through a ropes course.  It seemed like an odd place for it.  But was neat to see all the same.
Walked most of the morning through the woods along side a creek.  It was very beautiful.  At mile 115 i filtered the rest of the water I would need for the day until I set up camp.  I was debating camping at either Mile 127 or mile 130.
I stopped for lunch about 1145.  Ive decided to try a new eating strategy.  I had been saving my biuggest meal for dinner, but when I roll into to camp after a 16 -18 mile day, the last thing I want to do is think about preparing for.  So I decided today I would cook my biggest meal at lunch and take a long lunch break.
While I was eating lunch Khalil from Austria passed by.  We chatted for a few minutes and he went on his way.    Around 2 i passed him as he was having lunch.   He said he would be hiking to mile 124 and calling it a day.
Around 345 he passed me once again and said he was actually going to hike to mile 130 so he would be closer to resupply.  Turns out he carries very little food.  Quiet the opposite of my problem where I carry to much.
We both arrived at mile 127 roughly the same time to get water.  Turns out there is also a trail angel at 127 that enjoys hosting hikers,  We figured this would be a good place to stay the night.  It has a bunk house and an older RV you can sleep in.
One of the hosts named Tom arrived at Mikes about an hour after we did.  He offered us a couple beers and we all sat around and shot the breeze.  Tom lives in Kennedy Meadows and comes down for a couple months this time of year and attends the Annual Kick off at Lake Morena.  Nice low key guy.
It will be nice sleeping in the bunk house tonight as the temperature has dropped fast. I suspect it will be in the 30’s in the morning.
I did 16 miles today and had a great day.  I look forward to the hike tomorrow.