Oh sweet merciful air-mattress that works! I slept very well compared with the previous two miserable nights and was ready to pound out some miles. I knew it would be a long shot to catch up with the others today, especially considering their plan to do consistent 25-mile days and the fact that I’d only gotten a total of 20 in yesterday. Regardless I was moving early (0615) to see what I could do. Unfortunately out of the 28 miles I would hike today, approximately 27 were through dense pine-forest, so my surroundings were a bit bland. The profile would be a 3000 feet descent over 10 miles first, followed by a 3000 feet ascent over 10 miles. The last 8 miles would cover relatively flat terrain. For the non-Americans somebody was nice enough to put out a little display, using the metric system:
While on the PCT I’ve gotten myself familiarized with feet and miles, which in the beginning of this trip made no sense to me. Now when somebody says: “That’s another 7.5 miles from here”, I’ve got a pretty good feeling as to what to expect, both physically and as how long it will take to get there. During the morning hike, I was listening to some music, when all of a sudden I heard a pounding noise nearby. In the corner of my eye I saw something golden-brown disappear into the woods. Because it happened fast, I could not make out properly what kind of animal it was, but I believe it was a bear.Or maybe just another Alpaca…
At the base of the first downhill stretch I came across a large river, which I welcomed gladly. I dropped down to the riverbank and soaked my feet in the cool water. The cold water massaging my sore feet. I spend plenty of time on the smooth boulders, easing into the sound of the rushing water and the the bliss of relaxation sinking in. It was my first long break of the day. Also I was recharging for the 10 mile climb ahead. I was not looking forward to it.
After 45 minutes I reluctantly gave in and packed up my stuff. The climb was tough, a real challenge. Today was probably more a mental than a physical struggle. There were no views to pick me up, and no other hikers to chat with. I saw only one other PCT-hiker today, but we hike at a different pace and there were no times we were hiking together.. So back to the old remedy of podcasts and music. Around 1500 I’d made it all the way up the hill, and was properly shattered by that time. I filled up my water bottles at the creek and was ready for a late lunch and some shut-eye. I lay down at the look-out point. Several rocky cliffs would have presented some pretty views of the valley, had it not been for the smoke of the forest-fires that took away a lot from the scenery.
After a fruitless attempt to nap (I kept being harassed by gigantic black ants crawling over my bare legs) I had lunch and headed out around 1645. I figured I could hike another 3 hours before getting to camp. The trail led me back into the pine-tree forest which made for another uneventful couple of hours of hiking. Relieved to make it to camp and just before sundown, I was able to pitch my tent while there was still some daylight left. Tomorrow the trail will drop down significantly in elevation and will lead through the small establishment of Belden. Hopefully I’ll run into the others there (some of them needed to do some resupply shopping). I think I will get some ice-cream and a burger.
Preferably I won’t stay long in Belden though, because I’ve packed enough food to get me to Chester. Time for bed now.
A stone’s throw from Jerusalem
I walked a lonely mile in the moonlight
And though a million stars were shining
My heart was lost on a distant planet
That whirls around the April moon
Whirling in an arc of sadness
I’m lost without you. I’m lost without you
Though all my kingdoms turn to sand
And fall into the sea
I’m mad about you. I’m mad about you
And from the dark secluded valleys
I heard the ancient songs of sadness
But every step I thought of you
Every footstep only you
And every star a grain of sand
The leavings of a dried up ocean
Tell me, how much longer? How much longer?
They say a city in the desert lies
The vanity of an ancient king
But the city lies in broken pieces
Where the wind howls and the vultures sing
These are the works of man
This is the sum of our ambition
You made a prisonor of my life
When you became another’s wife
With every prison blown to dust
My enemies walk free
I’m mad about you. I’m mad about you
Mad About You – Sting
