Further North
Andy’s dad and his wife drive us further north. So I get to sit a bit more in this enormously gigantic car and be very comfortably driven all the way up.
Towards Kennedy Meadows
It is 5.50 am, I eat a Snickers bar for breakfast. Here in the desert you can only eat them in the morning after a cool night. During the day, you would have to deal with Snickers soup.
Not Cold Anymore!
I am oh so glad that I brought my sun reflecting hiking umbrella to the PCT! That was a hell of a smart decision! I feel sorry for everybody who does not have one!
Mountains and Great Company
So the big question is:
“Shall I heave myself and my backpack up Mount Baden-Powell or should I better play safe and take the detour around it?”
Snow in May
Alright… Laying in my tent, it is 5pm! Never made camp so early. But have never been in a PCT storm before either!
Trail Angels
Right.
So here I am, sitting on a rock by the trail and weep. The pain in my feet is so bad. Three miles to go still until I reach my next destination, but the pain is too overwhelming.
Thirst and Wind
I am so very thirsty!! Big time thirsty!!
I know, in my last post I happily stated that we were so lucky this year and have plenty of water. But one has only plenty of water if one is smart enough to thoroughly plan ahead!
Water
So yes, the PCT Class 2017 is lucky.
The streams in the desert, which are usually dry, have plenty of water this year.
Beauty and Blisters
I am for the first time in my life in a desert!!
Little did I know what to expect. Sure I read blogs of former thru hikers but nothing prepared me for this.
The Path of Totality
.
Right. So I am getting there!
I think I have almost everything under control so far.
All the planning and researching for gear, visa, permits, resupply options, maps and apps is done. And I have slept a few test-sleeps in my new cool little tent (in my mum’s garden) under windy and freezing conditions. I was not too cold and the tent could withstand the wind.
Awesome!
I have hiked a few test hikes with a fully loaded pack on steep slopes with snow on them. I have gulped my first Ibuprofen out of my “hospital size Ibuprofen PCT pack ” as the last hike shook all my muscles around.