I didn’t set an alarm this morning, which was nice after the heavy stretch of the past few days. We took our time to break up camp and walked back to the road, hoping we’d have more success of getting a hitch out today. We were joined by 2 other hikers trying to get back to Sonora Pass too and in the sun we waited. There was not a ton of traffic out this morning, but we spirits were high. It took quite some time and we were joking that with every minute that passed, today’s planned mileage dropped. After more than an hour of waiting a truck pulled over. The woman stated that she could not fit all of us, so we suggested she’d take the other 2 hikers, since we wanted to stay together. One of the other hikers thanked us extensively because he’d gotten to the road later than us, and basically we gave up our ride for him. I told the others that this was just our way to pay it forward, and sure enough; before the truck with the other hikers took off, another truck pulled over, ready to take the 3 of us exactly where we needed to be. A bearded older fellow got out, saying: “You PCT-hikers? I’m Sharky, PCT-class of 2013, get in! Cool, a PCT-veteran, always good times! We got in with the 3 men, who planned to do some day-hiking from Sonora Pass on the PCT in Southbound direction. We chatted about our trip so far and got back on trail around 1100.
The first section was a pretty steep and brutal climb, but with the legs rested overnight we carried our full packs quickly up the hill. There we followed the ridge for quite some time before settling at nice lunch-spot near a creek. Pops and I who both have AT&T got service here, so I used the time to phone with my brother.
After lunch we dropped down into a valley for a long, 6 mile descent. For some reason all three of us could not really find our stride today, feeling lethargic, slow and were yawning constantly. I found the hiking pretty boring and couldn’t wait to get to camp to just chill. After the long descent, the trail wound up, and there were some brutally steep parts. We made it to camp around 1730, and I even though it had been a fairly short day with few miles, I was shattered. We pitched our tent inside this boulder-rich forest, had dinner and played some card games. It felt good to be hiking with my buddies again today, but the hiking itself had been quite uneventful. Tomorrow we’ll be cranking up the mileage for sure. To get into South Lake Tahoe at a reasonable time we’ll have to average about 18 miles per day for the next 4 days. Should be alright. Just before getting into my tent I had to chase off a cheeky mouse who was going for my Oreos. Bold little creature robbing me of my precious calories! I hope I scared him off for the night.
These storms are getting stronger now,
trusses all bend and sway
Lightning hits, the power goes out in the fray
As the waves crash high, and shoreline dissapears,
I will scream to sky;
“Hey people live here”
My dreams are not unlike yours,
they long for the safety, and break like a glass chandelier
But there is laughter and oh there is love
Just past past edge of our fears
And there’s chaos when push comes to shove
But it’s music to my ears
People Live Here – Rise Against
