Yup, when I’m camped alone I definitely break out of camp and get moving a lot quicker. Got on trail around 0615. I quickly filled up my water bottle, since last night I had to ration; because of the heavy rain-fall, all the streams were murky from the sediment inflow, and after the long day of crushing miles I just couldn’t be bothered with drinking brown water. In the early morning the deer were thriving. I spotted several, including a doe with her cub, very cute. Unfortunately they were too far away to get a decent picture.
To keep a steady progress I’d intended to do at least 20 miles again today. What I didn’t realise before making the plan was that would require me to get over three pretty big climbs. Fortunately the biggest climb of the day was in the morning when my legs felt strong. On top of Benson Pass (a little over 10000 feet) I met Croq from Israel, who due to logistical reasons was hiking south-bound for a stretch. We chatted a bit before going our separate ways. He told me that after Sonora Pass, which I should reach in two days, the mosquito’s would get significantly less abundant. That would be a real relieve, because they still are the main factor taking away from the pleasure in hiking.
After the first ascent I was thankful to cross a lake on the way. Even though it was still morning, the sun was out and there was nothing stopping me from taking a refreshing swim. I chilled out on the boulders, dried up and was hiking again within a half hour. I felt revived, energized after getting into the water. Exactly what I needed. Whilst hiking I listened to a podcast and some music. With the exception of the South-bounder, I didn’t see any PCT-hikers going North until the late afternoon. I was hiking by myself for the pretty much entire day. When hiking by myself I get the feeling the time passes a lot more slowly. I guess conversation can make time fly. It was nice to have space and time for me, not compromising on where to stop for breaks, and making my own schedule.
In the afternoon I noticed the air to my left was very foggy, and at first I wondered if I could be expecting rain again. But after a closer look I realized it was smoke. There probably was a forestfire nearby, carrying the smoke in the direction of the trail. I took a closer look at my map to learn that the trail would not take me closer to the direction the smoke was coming from, so I was not really worried.
The second climb of the day took significantly more out of me. I stopped often and found myself out of breath repeatedly. Once I made it to the top (where I’d knew there’d be another lake) I looked around for a nice break-spot. After getting into the water for the second time today and washing that second climb off me, I sunk down on the granite slab and closed my eyes in relaxing bliss. I felt glued to the rock and I didn’t ever want to get up; it was so nice to not be hiking for a bit. But if I wanted to hit 20 again today, I couldn’t linger too long. I snacked some more oreos before packing up and heading out.
After a quick descent it was time to book it up-hill one last time. The smallest hill at the end of the day would drain me of my last energy. There were a couple of hikers just ahead of me, but we didn’t get a chance to really talk. To be fair I also just wanted to get to camp. I had checked my interactive maps and just at the base of the last climb would be some tent sites. 
A half a mile before arriving at the campsites however I came across a view-point in the form of some large boulders. I slid down the rocks to see if there was a possibility to camp here, because it looked like it would make for a gorgeous campsite. And there was! I pitched my tent below the boulders, on a balcony of granite overlooking the valley. The views were absolutely spectacular, and I have the storm-doors of my tent open to the slope of the valley, I can keep enjoying the views from my sleeping bag. I watched the sun dropping behind the rocky features on the horizon after which I got my well-deserved dinner. I’m already looking forward to waking tomorrow to the views in the early morning light.
Today was a day of solitude, without any real highs or lows. It was a slow day; time crept by. That’s okay however. It is nice to be outside.
Oh when you’re gone
The night is cold as it is long
And the hurt that made you humble,
want to write about,
is the love that made you crumble from the inside out
And I believe in that new day to come that it’s
always darkest before the dawn
Moving in slow-motion baby,
Still I’m moving on
Yeah
Moving in slow-motion baby,
Still I’m moving on….
Moving in Slow-Motion – The Sweet Remains
