Monday, June 15 -------- The highest point on the PCT is Forester Pass at 13,200ft, and it was only 14 miles from our camp!  However, we were still exhausted from the climb to Whitney the previous day and simply couldn't do another 3,000+ foot vertical day. So we hiked 12 miles to the base of … Continue reading  Forester Pass

Friday -------- We planned a tough day, and it was. Leaving Horseshoe Meadows before 6am to try and beat the afternoon storms, we did the 4.2 mile climb to Cottonwood Pass. (11,160ft)  Once back on the PCT we turned north and did another 11 miles to a nice campsite next to Rock Creek.  Amazingly, the … Continue reading On top of Mount Whitney

I've only met one person who read the book Wild who really bought into the whole "The PCT will Change My Life" bit. In her book, Cheryl started her journey at the Tehachapi Pass. So did this guy, who was dubed "6 by 6" because he was pushing 400lbs and looked 6ft tall and 6ft wide.  … Continue reading Onward to Mount Whitney

Drying off is bliss. I ran down to the laundromat last night and washed all my clothes. It was a week since Lake Isabella, and what wasn't wet was grungy.  Showered wearing clean clothes is a nice feeling. 😄 I managed to fit the Bear Can and everything into my pack. Barely. 😓  Damn its … Continue reading Back to the Mountains!

We got hammered by the weather.  This year is one for the record books. 😣  Tuesday afternoon saw light drizzle becoming rain about 6pm. We were camped in our tents by then and it was nothing more than an annoyance.  Wednesday began with awesome blue skys and cool weather, perfect for hiking. Sadly, it didn't … Continue reading Hail & Rain delay in the Sierras

We picked up a new member of the group and devised a clever plan to save our backs.  Pat (Turtle) had his brother and nephew meet him at Kennedy Meadows Campground. The nephew, Wesley, really wanted to hike with us, but didn't have the equipment for a long hike. So he will hike with us … Continue reading Starting the Sierras

Cowgirl. Trail names are fun. Back at Acton KOA there were many hiker boxes; Some with clothes. One of the people in our group, Robert didn't have trail name.  Wanting to wash all his clothes, Robert raided the boxes and found a nice pair of sweats. He came around showing us the pants...but he failed … Continue reading Last 52 to Kennedy

Spending the night at the Lake Isabella KOA before a 5:15am bus ride back to the trail head at Walker Pass. (Ugh) This is the last 3 1/2 day stretch before Kennedy Meadows. That is the last post of civilization before entering the Sierras. I doubt I will have Cell Service until I exit Kearsarge … Continue reading KOA then off to the Sierras

I purchased a comb in Mojave. It's a silly thing to mention, but I thought I'd explain.  Knowing I'd be wearing a hat continuously for six months, I had my hair buzz cut. I hate the greasy hat hair, so I had no need for a comb.  Then I decided to NOT cut my beard … Continue reading Catching the group and Walker Pass

Got my new pack, on the trail and I'm taking a break.  The new pack is very different from the old one. The Atmos is designed to fit the body like a glove rather than sit on the hips and shoulders like most packs. It will take some getting used to.  I hit the trail … Continue reading On my way to Walker Pass