PCT Day 33

Day 33

Miles - 20

I’m up early as usual and take it slow as I wander up the last 2 miles to the top. When I finally get there I’m so happy to be at the top! There isn’t much of a view but at least I’m not constantly going up. With everything that goes up, it must come down and down I walk and find myself above a glorious green meadow. No more dried out pale fields, just lush, cool greenery. I walk along happily and slowly descend into the dreamy greeny. I come across a river and chill with Red beard and Zipper. Blue joins us and I eat porridge with sugar and powdered milk.

I walk out and find the next ascent hard. After a mile I take a nap, my body so fatigued. I wander on and find Blue and we proceed to leapfrog each other as we climb up the hill. It’s sunny and hot but I can see a glorious blue sky above the shady trees. I am slow. Slow slow slow. Once at the top I reward myself with chocolate spread and a tortilla wraps and walk on. I’m still slow but content and get to the campsite for 6pm. Blue is already there and set up for the night. I do my evening chores and am happy to be still and relaxed.

Day 34 here

PCT Day 32

Day 32

Miles - 20

I wake at the crack of dawn feeling excited to be getting back on the trail. It’s still dark and quiet. A golden haze lingers on the horizon through the trees trying to overpower the dark blue sky. I get up and pack up quietly as not to disturb Snakebite and the others. It’s a little after 5am by the time I get walking. I refind the trail and have fun walking on the sand. Everything is so still and quiet. Only a few birds are up. After a mile I come across a campsite which acts like a gateway into the Sierras. Cars, tents and campervans are dotted here and there. I nod at the lone early risers of the day and hike on.

I enter the Sequoia National Park which consists of ups and downs through Rocky and sandy pastures.  I pass a few who hiked out last night and begin the gradual ascent. The sun is rising slowly over the stoney valley edge which has pine trees clinging to it. I enter a blackened forest and the heat begins to hit. The path levels off for a bit then begins to climbs and I start to suffer. It’s so hot and there is no shade. I trudge along sweating, head down and wishing of shade. Eventually I reach a beautiful meadow encased by hills on either side. It’s the first I’ve seen so far on the trail and the first of many! I wade through the grassy scene before heading back up into the pines.

It’s a slow hike up and I come across an open rocky area and can see a bendy blue river below in the verdant valley. Black cows laze around in and out of the river. Which I’ll be drinking in a few mins. I brave the tree-less walk and head to the river. Yep the water tastes just like cows even with flavoured powder. I can taste cows and see swallow poop from under the bridge sail by as I collect my water yummy. I head up into the trees, where a father and son and Australian guy and French woman are chilling. I sit down, eat and people come and go. I chill and nap slightly.

It gets to 4pm and I chill briefly by the river as trios of scouts accompanied by leaders roll up. I eventually head out for 4:30 and make slow progress, the hill is hard. I’m so tired and I pass a few people and a few people pass me. I’m stopping every few meters and even in the shade of the trees and lateness of the day it’s warm. Blue and I leaf frog for a while then pitch our sleeping bags 2 miles from the top - so tired.

It is nice to have finally entered the Sierras and I look forward to seeing more in the next few weeks.

Day 33 here

PCT Day 31

Day 31

Miles 0

Up early I sit on the bench next to the store and update my journal. I’m the only one up apart from the odd hiker who wanders to the bathroom. I see a bike resting against a tree and decide to take it for a spin. I have no idea who it belongs to but it looks like it hasn't been used in a while(not that it makes it ok). I take off and speed down the hill. It feels great to be speeding along freely and weightless. There are no cars so I own the road cruising along. I return after half an hour and see another hiker on the bench now. I nod as I return the bike. Thank you to the bike owner who ever you are.

For breakfast I chow down on real milk and cereal and chill again for the day. This is my fourth zero day. I don’t feel bad and see it as a big break before I tackle the next section through the sierras. Slowly everyone from last night wake up nursing hang overs. Throughout the day more people arrive, others leave, Kyle arrives, everyone gets hiker magic and free chilli dogs are served. I soak my feet. I rummage through the numerous hiker boxes which are filled with stuff people have ditched in last minute attempts to lighten their loads. We then find some light romance novels and take turns reading them in our best French/British/Australian/German accents - Snakebite is particularly good at this.

I paid for my 97$ tab - which included a bear canister and pack my bag ready to head out bright and early tomorrow. My bag is brimming with the cannister…..

Then a small water fight breaks out as the store sold water guns. I eventually go to bed for 10ish. I actually aimed to leave that evening but that never happened.

Day 32 here