We were cramped together last night on a tiny little spot close to the creek that barely fit all our tents. Despite our tents being cozied up together, we all slept great. This morning before getting up we just lay in our tents, slowly waking up and chatting comfortably. However we’d have a big day ahead. A little under 28 miles would put us at the designated campsite, and there were two big climbs to tackle today. Because of the comfortable waking up this morning we didn’t get started early, so we expected to make it camp just before sundown once more.
Today felt like work. A grind through the forest. The lush and green woods trapped all the heat in the valley, and the humidity was very high. All day sweat was dripping down my face and all my clothing got soaking wet. Combine this with the super dusty trail and you get a very special class of dirty. Yesterday I’d rinsed my legs at the creek and was ever so pleased to have the thick layer of caked grime removed. Within a couple hours of hiking today, that effect was already gone.
After nine miles of decent we took a shared break before we would commence with the first big climb of the day. We took our time though, and afterwards blamed ourselves for relaxing for too long. This would be the reason we’d make it into camp very late again today.
A little past noon I reached a plateau, close the summit of the first big climb. I felt leveled by the heat and the humidity, rolled down my tyvek and crashed for a brief power-nap. Of course there was a swarm of wasps harassing me, robbing me of my intended rest-time during this precious moment of non-hiking.
I broke down half a block of cheese, wrapped it in two tortillas, had a quick lunch and semi re-energized I hiked out in pursuit of Jukebox and Pops who had kept hiking.
The second half of the afternoon the smoke got worse again, plaguing my nostrils with every inhalation. The combination of smoke and high humidity made it feel like I was wrapped in a hot, damp and suffocating blanket. Today I realized that what I’d learned about the North-California section of the PCT, had actually become a reality; this stretch is a drag…
For the past weeks our surroundings have hardly changed, and the smoke takes away from all the views we should get. It feels like we’re just banging out miles, and are enjoying the landscape significantly less. I told myself that this part of it too, is what I signed up for.
In a way I felt relieved though; at least I’d been aware from the start that this section would be rough mentally. It’s the part of which I read, that it gets to a lot of hikers. Gladness befell me that I’m not hiking solo at the moment and get to talk about it with my buddies.
Just before starting the last 5 mile climb of the day, the trail crossed a bridge over a creek with several nice pools. On a small rock formation towering over the creek, lay Peach-man and Free-wheel, chilling and getting ready to spend the night there. I asked if they’d gotten in the water and they confirmed. I too quickly got down and got a very refreshing dip in the water, washing the sweat and dust of today’s hike off. I felt immensely better afterwards and re-energized I was ready to pound out the last miles to camp. I put on my fastest pace yet today, and cruised up the hill. By the time I got to the campsite I was properly shattered, but happy those last miles had flown by fast. Tomorrow we’ve got some 11 miles left, mostly downhill, after which we will meet Jukebox’ family. The three of us are real exited, I think we’re going to have a blast!
If you got a diamond for all of your passion, diamond for your dedication
You could be icy like cake and icy for every occasion, gotta go hard, yeah
Still don’t condone it, love is a component
You’re the only opponent, gotta seize the moment
Don’t do nothin’ ‘less your heart’s in it, heart’s in it, heart’s in it
Don’t do nothin’ ‘less you’re all in it, all in it, all in it
Gonna give each time
Said it won’t hurt my side
Oh, don’t do nothin’ ‘less you’re all in it, all in it, all in it
All in it – Justin Bieber
