Best nights sleep on the trail so far. After enjoying last nights beautiful views, I expected a very cold night. This morning everybody was surprised that it had not been bad at all. The four of us hiked out a little after six. Today would be some 10 miles gradual descent, then we’d drop into the valley to start a steep and tough 1500 ft climb, to summit Mt. Baden Powell. Early in the morning we could already see the summit, which would pose a challenge later that afternoon.
Early in the day we found ourselves having a couple of breaks, because the first miles went by fast, and the aimed campground for tonight would be 20 miles away, so an average day. At the picknick area we found a motivating sign, showing us how many miles we’ve done so far. Tomorrow we should be hitting the 400-mile-stone! The 300 mile marker seemed such a short time ago…
Around 1115 we got into the valley. Today was national-trail-day, so there were loads and loads of people gathered at the bottom of the climb to the summit of Baden Powell. Lots of them we’re doing trail-maintenance, and there were outfitter companies handing out free merchandise (sunglasses, buffs). It was pretty fun because there were many people out asking us if we were thru hikers, and wishing us luck. I didn’t want to dilly-dally at the base of the climb, so I was the first one out. Along the way I was passed by lots of day-hikers already on their way down. They smelled like soap and flowers. I was crazy jelous of their tiny day-packs. The climb up was tough, but my legs were feeling strong again after having hiked only 2 miles yesterday. So slow but steady I trotted on. Around 1345 I made it to the summit! Nice, crushed another mountain.
About a half hour later the others made it to the top as well, and we took a well-deserved break in the shade. Taking a group-photo at the sunmit, the photographer suggested we’d do a Dinosaur-pose. So we did. Today I learned that I was very hungry all day long, and I really had to restrain myself to not eat so much as that I’d get in trouble later and end up with not enough food. Possibly I have to do the 90 mile stretch in a day less, if this hunger remains..
After the descent more familiar hikers showed up, about to make the 0.2 side-trail off the PCT that lead to the actual summit. We we’re getting ready for the final 6 miles down into camp.
The last 6 miles downhill were pretty easy, and around 1730 we’d filled up on water for the next day and made it to the campground. It felt good to be hiking in the ‘bubble’ again. When I was the last out of the lunch spot, there were familiar faces behind me. When I pushed forward, there were familiar faces in front of me. There was a lot more chatting going on compared to the last stretch, which I did pretty much solo. It felt good.
Because of the National-Trail-day and because it’s a weekend, there were a ton of boy-scouts on the trail today. Many of them will be camping on the same campsite as us. We managed to get a spot a ways up the hill, so we’re not in the (possible) late-night-mayhem that might occur when teenagers go on camping trips. We’ll find out soon enough. It’s nice and early now, 2115, getting ready for bed.
If I had another chance tonight
I’d try to tell you that the things we had were right
If I had another chance tonight
I’d try to tell you that the things we had were right
If I had another chance tonight
If I had another chance tonight
Another Chance – Roger Sanchez
