August 15, 2011

Start: 1636
End: 1662

Got a slightly earlier start today, but still living by the newly termed, previously discovered, "thorough hiking" concept. Thorough hiking is all about enjoying the hiking part of the day, stopping for little off-trail diversions, and taking lots of pictures!

One of the diversions we took today was stopping at the first crossing of Grider Creek to skinny dip, rinse out some clothes, and enjoy a nice lunch in the shade of the bridge.

Also along the way down, we enjoyed nature's bounty of thimbleberries, wild strawberries, and blackberries! It was a delicious hike, and makes me look forward to the huckleberries we will encounter further north!

The only down side for the day was the 6.4 mile road walk into Seiad Valley, but the berries made up for that I guess. That and the beer when we got into town. Everyone in Seaid has been real friendly!

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August 14, 2011

August 14, 2011

Start: 1614
End: 1636

It was really great to sleep in this morning! Didn't get up until the sun rose over a ridge around 7:15. Then had a leisurely breakfast, and made it on trail around 8:30.

Today we hiked through the Marble Mountains, which were pretty spectacular.

Towards the end of the day we did something we haven't done in weeks... Crossed a snow bridge. Yes, that's right, it's August 14 and yet there are still snow bridges on the the trail.

It was a very relaxing day overall, and tomorrow we will get into Seiad Valley!

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August 13, 2011

Start: 1606
End: 1614

What a great feeling it is to sleep in a bed and not be awoken by an alarm in the morning! After sleeping in, 12 Ounce and I rode bikes down to Bob's Ranch for breakfast, where we joined two other hikers, Chilidog and Seahorse. It was a really good breakfast consisting of an omelette, hashbrowns, biscuits and gravy, and coffee.

After breakfast we went back to the hiker hut and repackaged our food for the trail. We also used the wi-fi to post journals and take care of a few other things, like buying new shoes for Oregon. While hanging out there with the other hikers, Goodness made a great comment, which will serve as the quote of the day,"I don't mean to be rude, man, but you got a funk." Goodness was referring to another hiker at the hut, who had already taken a shower, but his gear had yet to be washed and it was giving off a pungent, rancid odor that permeated the hut.

Around 3:30, we packed up and got a ride back to the trailhead, and started hiking about 4pm. Having a leisurely 56 miles to do in the next two and a half days, we ambled up the trail about 8 miles before stopping to eat dinner and set up camp.

Currently I am laying underneath a blanket of stars and just watched one of the brightest and slowest moving satellites I have ever seen. It's good to be back to enjoying a more relaxed hiking pace and viewing the stars!

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August 12, 2011

Start: 1583
End: 1606

Last night we got into camp at 9:30pm, asleep around 10, and up again this morning at 5am. This is not my idea of a good time, however some times sacrifices must be made.

It was a bit of a push, running the last couple miles, but we made it to the trailhead by 3:30pm and proceeded to try to get a hitch about 45 minutes later. While waiting for the hitch, much to my surprise, there was a helicopter in the small parking area, and a few members Forest Service fire crew, distinguishable by their green cargo pants and yellow shirts. Apparently there was a small lightning fire that had been smoldering for about a week and they were sending a crew in to take care of it.

We ended up getting a ride in to town just in time to make it to the PO, 15 minutes before they closed, to get our packages, then went next door for an old fashioned ice cream soda at the pharmacy (unfortunately they were out of chocolate), and then to the brewery for dinner, where we ran into the other hikers in town. The timing of everything worked out perfectly.

After dinner we headed to Alderbrook Manor and their Hiker Hut. The hiker hut was full, but they had rooms in the B&B for a discounted hiker rate, so we opted for that, since the only motel in town had no vacancies.

What a full series of days; 100 miles in 71 hours. Ready for some sleep!

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August 11, 2011

Start: 1549
End: 1583

Today was another long day of hiking, and a new PR. I would say that setting a new PR two days in a row is not advisable if you want to actually enjoy hiking.

On the plus side, you are up before the sunrises, and so get to see it rise, and also up after the sun sets, so get to see that too. Hiking into night is also good if you want to see the moon and the stars, which we kind of did since it was the night of the Perseid meteor shower.

On the the negative side, since you are up before the sun rises and after it sets, you don't get much sleep. You also get achey feet and other random muscle and joint pains.

There seems to be a big difference between hiking 28 miles and 30+ miles, despite the numbers being so close. It is fairly easy to get in 28 and feel good at the end of the day, enjoying most or all of the miles hiked. Once you get above that threshold, it seems to immediately be less fun because you are constantly looking at the watch to make sure you aren't taking breaks that are too long, and that you are still on pace. I feel like that is how a lot of hikers see the trail. Each day is a race to get in as many miles as possible, no time for fun or diversions of any kind. If you're not enjoying the hiking part of the thru-hike, what's the point?

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August 10, 2011

Start: 1516
End: 1539

Agh! I just erased this entry as I was trying to post! I'll do my best to remember what I wrote...

Today was a new hiking PR of 33 miles! It started with a rather long climb on a series of ridges, seemingly connected like one of MC Eschers drawings, constantly going up.

This section has already had much better views than the last, including Castle Crag, and views of the Trinity Alps. There were also a few lakes, most of which we saw from high above, but a couple we passed right by, which would have been nice for swimming had we the time to spare.

It was a very long day, and my feet were telling me so by the time we finally set up camp around 9:30. On the bright side, we GET to do the same thing again tomorrow!

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August 9, 2011

Start: 1506
End: 1516

Today was a rather lazy day of sleeping in, eating an incredible breakfast, and taking care of a few things, like posting journal entries. After breakfast we hung out on the front porch, enjoying the slow pace of life on the Ranch.

Finally around 3:30pm, we got a ride back to the trail with Jeff, and were on our way about 4:30. We got in a solid 10 miles, leading us to a campsite at aptly named Disappearing Creek. Tomorrow we begin our day with a steep climb, gaining 2500' in the first 4 miles. It will be good to do in the morning when it is cooler and our bodies are fresh! Only 90 more miles in the next three days, by 4pm on Friday to get to the PO in Etna to go!

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August 8, 2011

August 8, 2011

Start: 1478
End: 1506

Today was another day of woodsy hiking, punctuated with seldom, but great, views of Mt Shasta. We were up early and on the trail in an attempt to get to Castella for our resupply boxes, and Shasta City to the B&B.

The hiking was fairly mundane and we made it to Interstate 5 just after 6pm to be picked up by 12 Ounce's uncle's cousin's partner Carla. When she picked us up, we went first to Castella, and then she asked if she was taking us to the ranch, which we assumed meant the B&B, so we said yes. When I thought of what the B&B would be like, I was picturing a small little house in downtown Shasta City with a few rooms. As we drove into the city, we passed through the main drag, and then turned left toward more open land. It soon became apparent that we were indeed headed to a ranch. We pulled up to the main house which has a huge front porch, complete with wicker furniture, coffee tables, an American flag, wind chime, telescope, and a breathtaking view of Mt Shasta. We were given a short tour and shown to our room in the Carriage House, behind the main house. My expectations were far surpassed, and I find I am constantly surprised by the generosity of strangers. If you would like to know more about it, you can check out the Mount Shasta Ranch at www.stayinshasta.com.

The proprietors, Mary and Bill, provided us with pizza and salad when we arrived, which we ate with the fanciful ales picked up at Ammirati's Market in Castella. For dessert we had some chocolate cake, and then other patrons gifted us some leftover BBQed pork tenderloin and fresh strawberries. Everything was more wonderful than I ever imagined. If you want to have your faith restored in the goodness of strangers, hike the PCT. Gotta love trail magic.

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August 7, 2011

Start: 1447
End: 1478

As expected, Northern California has given us a lot of forested hiking, today being no exception. The good thing about being the Pacific CREST Trail, is that often times the trees part to give way to fantastic vistas. This morning we had numerous views of
Mt Shasta before descending once again into the trees.

Due to a slight miscalculation, we need to hike about 60 miles over the next two days to make it to Castella around 6pm Monday. We got a bit of a late start, and so only did 31 today, but hopefully we can start earlier tomorrow in order to get to town early enough to pick up our resupply package from a local business, and make our way to a bed and breakfast that is owned and operated by 12 Ounces great-aunt.

That said, it's fast approaching hiker midnight, I'm exhausted, my feet are tired, and I have many miles to do tomorrow before town.

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August 6, 2011

Start: 1424
End: 1447

Today I felt refreshed and renewed after a half-day off in Burney. The hiking was pretty easy and we enjoyed mostly shaded trails through the forest.

One of the things I look forward to while hiking is getting nice cold refreshing water. The best water sources however are springs. The past week or two we have happened upon springs a number of times. The water just magically comes out of the ground, nice and cool and clean. I really enjoy and drinking as much of the pure tasting water as possible right from the source before filling up bottles to take with me.

As we approached the end of our hiking day, walking through the forest, all of a sudden we came to a clearing to see the sunset casting it's colors on the clouds, with a view of Mt Shasta prominently positioned in the middle. It was all the sign we needed to set up camp right there and enjoy the view.

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