Start:  0630 - PCT mile 593
End:  2200 - next to Kelso Valley Road
Miles (today): 24 (23 PCT, 1 off)
Miles (cumulative): 634 (532 PCT, 89.5 alternate, 12.5 off) 

The reward for surviving today is cowboy camping on the soft sand next to a water cache.  The weather is delightfully warm (a payoff for the crazy hot we endured earlier), there is a pleasant breeze, and the stars are just amazing.  

Despite our plan to be hiking by 0500, we slept in.  I was exhausted from yesterday and was very slow to get going.  Also, due to the poodle dog encounter, I was short the water I planned on drinking in the morning (I typically start my day by drinking at least half a liter of water, usually more).  So right from the start I was sleep deprived and a bit dehydrated- not a good way to start the day.  I felt sluggish and slow and hot.  Very hot.  (Not complaining, merely stating a fact.) ;)

We met a hiker going SOBO (Bam) and he gave us first-hand info about some water caches up ahead (we have a 40 mile stretch to hike without water sources and, even though you should never count on a water cache, I really don't want to carry 7-8 liters of water if I don't have to.  Just surviving the heat is enough stress on my body.)

As I walked and tried to stay positive, I heard something moving in the woods beside the path.  A big something.  I stopped hiking and was amused and surprised to see a cow emerge onto the path.  She and I sort-of had a little stand off - for some reason she really didn't want to move out of the way and I didn't want to get too close.  Happily, Polaris and another hiker came around the corner and made it three against one so Bessie ran back into the woods.  

I ran out of water just before we got to the first water source.  Running out of water is not a good feeling, even when you know there is water just up ahead.  Damn poodle dog encounter!!

At the water source we ran into Special K - he was surprised to see us, thinking we were way ahead of him (you think he'd learn by now). Polaris was there, too, and he overhead me tell Special K about running into poodle dog.  Polaris said he ran into it, too.  He also said that he took a good look at it and doesn't think it's poodle dog.  Oh how I hope he's right!!!

I wanted to stay and relax at the water source but also knew that we needed to get in our miles if we were going to meet Jeff at Walker Pass on Monday. So we pushed another 3 miles to the next water source.   It wasn't easy to spot so we almost walked right by it; However, I happened to see a pipe on the side of the trail and stopped to see where we were per the Halfmile app.  Yep, sure enough, that was it. I yelled after Nick but he didn't hear me, so I took off my pack and ran down the trail after him.  Yes, Running and I momentarily forgot we were taking a break. The feeling of moving without a heavy pack was liberating and I felt strong and fast (it's all relative - ANYTHING is fast compared to 2/2.5 miles an hour).  I didn't have much energy left, though, and it was the start of the wicked hot part of the day...so my fling with Running was brief (yet incredibly fantastic.)

Since there wasn't a good place to nap by the water source, we made our meals and then walked a bit up the trail while they rehydrated to find a place to nap.  I was not in the best place at this time - I was very tired and hot (similar to yesterday's experience).  Thankfully, Nick is understanding - he found us a good spot to wait out the hottest part of the day.  After eating, I napped for a bit - I got smart and covered my legs with my raincoat so the flies didn't bother me too much.  The nap was exactly what I needed.  

When we started the evening potion of the hike I felt so much better.  We walked another 4 miles (including 0.5 miles off-trail) to the next water and almost stayed there.  However, we decided the smart thing to do would be to hike to the water cache Bam told us about.  On the way we passed K's camping spot (this is becoming a trend) so of course we stopped to chat with him for a bit.  The night hike to the cache was pretty easy and fun - I could see several headlamps shining in the dark along the trail (other hikers obviously had the same idea).  

I am so glad we decided to push on and walk another 8 miles - this cowboy camp spot is awesome! I'm going to look at the stars now.  :)

Along the trail: