Laguna Campground to tent site at mile 61.5 (14 miles + .7 miles off PCT) The wind wishes to say hello. Have you met him?  He’s a stark and pale gentleman and sometimes you’d think he’s invisible if it weren’t for the thin white wisps of hair that streak back across the bald dome of … More Day 4

Cibbets Flat to Laguna Campground (47.5) + 2.2 (off PCT) 17.1 daily miles I take the road walk again in the morning, canyon light red and pale.  I rejoin the PCT around mile 30, just past Kitchen Creek.  I’m very much alone for the first time on the PCT as I’ve found myself caught between … More Day 3

Hauser Creek to Cibbets Flat C.G. (32.6) + 1.5 (off PCT) 18.9 daily miles Ahh, morning hiking. The sun hasn’t rounded the bend yet and I start the 1000 ft. climb up to Lake Morena in fine spirits.  Why does everyone try to get to Lake Morena on the first day?  It’s a tough climb, … More Day 2

0.0 to 15.2 (Hauser Creek) At appx. 7:30 western time I turned the keys to the ignition of my hiking machine and the whole mechanism sputtered to life.  I wave goodbye (goodbye!) to those standing at the southern PCT terminus and take off through the low rolling hills covered in scrubby green desert vegetation.  I … More Day 1

I pick up my pack and walk out the door.  Pack’s changed.  Things have changed.  I’m not in California anymore. No trail mix in a little baggie, but I got a nice fresh bright orange stashed away in a side pocket. The Midwest is humid this time of year.  Summer is coming and the pollen … More Walking in the Tall Weeds

The weights above are all listed in ounces. Things are still a work in progress, but this is 99% of it.  My current base weight (everything except food, water, fuel and worn clothing) for the desert is 11.79 lbs, and I’m aiming for 12.5 pounds once everything is accounted for and tallied. The remainder of … More PCT Gear

August 3rd Mileage: 11.5 (219.1) Lights play on the wall of my tent.  A gentle “pop-pop-pop” has struck up a rhythm and finds a nice beat.  Headlamps and rain.  Its 3 a.m. and all across the campground people are scrambling to cover their packs or bring them under shelter.  I consider just letting my pack … More The End

August 2nd Mileage: 11.7 (207.6) I wake at 5 in the morning and cant get back to sleep.  Day is breaking and I watch my tent grow lighter by degrees.  My phone has a good charge so I listen to music, and consciousness comes over me gently.  I’m not really ready to be done with … More The Road to Rae Lakes

August 1st Mileage 16 (195.9) In the morning, most of us sit around in our little “kitchen” area and fiddle with breakfast items.  Aaron and Monique take off, opting instead to breakfast on the trail.  The rest of us talk about the day and I eat soggy, chewy cashews and sip on steaming coffee.  A … More Double Pass Day

July 31st Mileage: 11.4 (179.9) “Bear!  Bear on fire!” “mmmmfffgggg….huh?” “There’s a bear out here!  On fire!” “Oh,” I say. I had asked Aaron to wake me up when he and Monique started moving, and this was his method of doing so.  I stay in my tent for another 5 minutes, unwilling to get started … More The Golden Staircase