Apparently, we’re doing this thing? Am I really doing another long-distance hike? Is there something wrong with me? Hahaha, don’t answer that out loud.
It’s safe to say that the fact we’ll be hiking 3,000 miles (if all goes well) still hasn’t sunk in. I’m not exactly sure how I feel. Excited and nervous, of course. Definitely grateful. Grateful for everyone who has been so amazing in getting us here (especially Mark and Mary) and grateful for everyone who has been so supportive and encouraging. But I’m also in a state of neutral disbelief, too - it doesn’t quite seem real that we are, in fact, hiking again.
Thank you so much for the ride, Mark and Mary!!!
we are in Mexico!
pic taken from the southern terminus when I was thinking, “is this really happening?” :)
We got a later start than we intended, mostly because we didn’t realize the 27-mile dirt road to the terminus would take us 3 hours (!!) to drive down. Granted, Nick was probably going a little slower to be extra-nice to Mary’s new truck, but still. It was an hour drive (on a real road) to Hachita, and from there we endured three hours of very slow going on the dirt road, so 4 hours of sitting in a truck. You bet I was anxious to start hiking! Mark and Mary didn’t have that luxury and, instead, had to drive the 4 hours back to their campsite. Hopefully, they made it back ok. They are amazing. I’m humbled by how much love they give us.
Yikes, we owe Mary a years worth of car washes
The hike today wasn’t bad at all. We misplaced the trail a few times early on, but we were together and it was fine. The trail was mostly flat, too. Maybe a little rockier than I prefer, but all in all it was an easy 14 miles to the water cache.
Of course, since Hiking and I still aren’t BFFs (let’s face it, if we haven’t become friends by now we probably never will be), I somehow managed to add unnecessary steps at the end of the day (which I despise). I was definitely hungry and thus not thinking as clearly as I should have been. Very frustrating.
This is what happened: we were walking in a wash; oftentimes the wash would split, causing you to choose one way or the other (knowing it would meet up again shortly). Nick was ahead of me. At one such split, I chose left, which led me to the PCT trail sign that took me up the side of a mountain. It was very overgrown and I kept losing the trail up there. When I checked the Far Out app to make sure I was still on trail, I realized I should NOT have followed the trail and instead should have stayed in the wash in order to get to the water cache.
It was completely my fault - I should have checked the app sooner - but since I was hangry I was a bit irrational. I was really just frustrated with myself, but it was helpful to be frustrated with Nick, too, because he didn’t follow protocol. Since we don’t often hike together, the person in front typically waits for the other at questionable parts of the trail (or at least marks it somehow), and that certainly seemed like a spot to do it.
At that same split, though, Nick went right. This meant he didn’t see the trail marker I saw, which meant he wasn’t tricked into following it. He stayed in the wash and it led him straight to the water cache. Meanwhile, I had added more steps to my day (probably about 0.5 miles worth) AND got attacked by some cacti as I was bushwhacking my way to camp. Sure, I could have backtracked and gone back the way I came, but that would have meant even more unnecessary steps. So, instead, I chose to bushwhack my way straight to the water cache, getting scraped up in the process.
Is it really just Day 1?
When I walked up to the cache area, I saw Nick talking with another hiker, all calm and happy. He didn’t seem concerned about me at all, when he totally should have been as I was getting there much later than I should have.
Even though it wasn’t not Nick’s fault (I can say that now because I’ve eaten dinner and am more rational now), his calm demeanor made me snap and I threw the evil eye his way. And, as mortified and ashamed as I am say this (I’m only admitting it because I’ve pledged to be 100% honest here), I might also have flipped him off. I know, I know, it wasn’t very becoming of me. But that’s married life. But Nick knows not to take me seriously when I’m hangry and doesn’t take it personally.
It wasn’t Nick.
It was a hiker wearing the same exact shirt as Nick with the hood up. With similar facial hair. With the same military bearing. Of course, when I realized it wasn’t Nick I felt mortified. I explained myself to the poor hiker (Boujie Bigfoot), we had a good laugh, and I think all is forgiven. He seems pretty cool and understanding. Still. Get it together, Apples!
B.Bigfoot pointed me in Nick’s direction. It turns out Nick WAS very concerned about my absence. I suppose I’ll keep him after all. :)
As I was refilling my water bottles, I saw a guy with the PCT class of 2016 bandanna on his head! Every class bandana is different, so when I saw the green writing on a purple bandana I recognized it instantly. His name is Tesla and he did indeed hike the PCT in 2016. How cool! I didn’t have the pleasure of meeting him on the PCT but I’m happy to have made his acquaintance now.
We are camping with 4 other people and we passed 4 more (who have yet to arrive), so this area will be pretty full tonight. So far there are more hikers on the trail than I expected.
Along the trail:
Mile 1! Only 2,999 to go! Also: does anyone else think this looks a little phallic?
I really love trees
Nick walking ahead of me in a wash
this was our view for most of the day
And finally, camp. I’m going to sleep well tonight!
