Inferno

On the go after a good nights sleep around 0630. The first few miles in were nice, a small climb to start out the day with lovely views of the desert. At the top of the hill I got reception, so I used to opportunity to call home, and give an update on the past weeks adventures and the plans for the next section.

After the climb up the ridge, it would be mostly descent for the remainder of the day. It was getting hotter as I made my way towards a pick-nick area, 9 miles away from my starting point. Flanking the side of the hills, with limited shade, it got hotter and hotter as I dropped in elevation towards the desert floor.

Around lunch time I gladly made it to the pick-nick area, where there were already some other hikers relaxing in the shade. I was very happy to find a cooler with soda! The ranger came down to have a chat with us and lifted our spirits more by telling us that they sold ice-cream for a dollar. Win! Cold soda & ice-cream was really all I needed at that time.
As I was giving my legs a rest I saw something moving in the corner of my eye. Everyone was sitting at the two pick-nick tables, minding there own business. I quickly got everybody’s attention, when I shouted; “Look out, Big Snake by the packs!!!”. This thick and very bold rattle-snake, just slid into camp, and nobody had noticed him. He slithered underneath the packs of some other hikers. Fortunately we had Jono from Australia in our group, who knew exactly how to deal with snakes (being confronted with all kinds of vicious creatures back home). Using his trekking poles, he chased the snake out of the camp, and everybody could relax and enjoy their lunch again. After lunch we set out to get the final miles in towards a whats supposed to be a pretty luxury campsite (laundry, pool, jacuzzi). At this time it got ridiculously hot. I don’t think I’ve sweat this much since being out here. The heat was relentless. As if hiking through an oven. Because we were descending into the valley, it got worse and worse. I was hiking with two others, who stopped underneath a bush to recover in the shade.
I decided to push on, to find a more comfortable, shaded spot. This was a mistake. I looked around and found myself descending over rolling hills into the valley. The only vegetation for several miles, were typical desert bushes, nothing to find shelter underneath. Turning back and double up on miles however was not an option. So I pushed on. I told myself I’d stop at the very first shaded area I’d lay eyes on. Fortunately my legs felt pretty good today, so I was making quick progress down the hills. After a brutal hour in the heat I saw that there were some trees growing in the heart of the valley, and that the trail would take me there. I sighed in relief and pressed on. After reaching the first tree I encountered, I threw off my pack, chugged down a liter of water, laid out my foam pad, put my feet up on my pack and crashed into a recovery-nap. Since I was ahead of most of the group, it was 1400 and I only had another 4 miles left to the campsite I laid down for almost an hour. It was great.

The combination of dirt and sweat during this past section had been the worst so far. I really really wanted a shower. But after checking in at the campsite I could not resist to buy refreshments first. What do you get when its really, really hot? You get Ice-cream! And they had plenty of choice. I dug up my spork, sat down at one of the pick-nick tables and indulged in a pint of my favorite Ben & Jerry’s; Chunky Monkey.
A little over 15 minutes and it was gone. I was actually considering getting another one. I went for the healthier option (couscous) instead.

After this lovely chill-out session I was ready to take a shower. Of course, the minute after I had slathered myself in shampoo and shower gel, the water for some reason was shut off. I thought this would probably last for a few minutes and opted to wait it out. After about 15 minutes, very annoyed, I put my clothes back on my soapy body and annoyed walked over to the reception desk. I was informed that the water should be turned back on any minute now. Great. It took a good half more hour before the water was turned back on and I was finally able to get back into the shower. It felt real great to finally wash off the desert after this hot and dusty stretch, and my annoyance quickly subsided. When we were having dinner, we had to clear the pick-nick tables, it being pretty obvious that a bunch of thru-hikers had taken their refuge there.

Because we made camp so early, I was refreshed from the shower, and the KOA campsite was just a very nice place to be;I felt really, really good today. Very relaxed. We had a great dinner together and ended the evening by watching some skateboard-videos on Thad’s phone. Surrounded by mountains and with the gentle California evening sun out, I counted myself quite lucky. Tomorrow it’ll be 10 miles towards hiker-heaven, where I should be able to buy some groceries for the next stretch.

Have you ever felt like you’ve been hurt before?
By the ones that said they only loved you more?
Inflicted pain and scars of sorrow
Like an empty shell I wait for tomorrow…
I sit here wondering why you walked away
Did I ever do you wrong in any way?
Was it something I said to you that made you change?
There is no more sun… there is only cloudy days

Yeah
What goes around will come around and come back and get yah…

What goes around will come around and come back and get yah…

Around – Noir & Haze (Solomun remix)