Start:  0630 - next to Kelso Valley Road
End:  2000 - PCT mile 635
Miles (today): 19
Miles (cumulative): 653 (551 PCT, 89.5 alternate, 12.5 off) 

The trail completely kicked my ass today.

Despite setting an alarm, we overslept.  Will we ever be hiking by 0500?  Only time will tell, but the odds are not in our favor. :)

We managed to get in 15 miles (to the first water cache) by 1300.  The heat was brutal and shade was basically nonexistent.  Three things got me through the morning: the wind (which made the heat somewhat bearable), a Joshua tree (which provided shade), and Special K (who gave motivation).

While seeking refuge from the sun and rehydrating under a beautiful Joshua tree, I saw K walk by (I mean, of course he caught up with us.  He doesn't sleep in and he is fast).  About 30 minutes later, I caught up with him (only because he had taken a break, too).  Following him up this endless hill kept me motivated - not only is he entertaining but my competitive spirit kicked in.  Oh, I knew there was no way I'd catch him; however, staying behind him definitely helped take my mind off the endless hill and how difficult it was to walk in the loose sand.

When I finally got to the water cache I was elated but definitely not feeling right.  I walked by K, Double Double, and Dozer relaxing in the shade and sat down to join them. K gave me a water bottle and some chocolate (a trade of sorts -  he had unwittingly dropped his water filter and foam pad on the trail and I carried them for several miles until I finally caught up with him.). While I waited for Nick I chatted with K, Dozer, and Double Double.  I tried to drink water but it was difficult because it didn't appeal to me.  Neither did food. All I wanted to do was sleep. Yes, I know those are not good signs.  I thought I had been doing well by taking electrolyte pills and by drinking a lot of water but I obviously didn't do as well as I thought. 

Nick and I made our dinner and I forced it down.  I forced down more water, too.  Then I took a nap.

When I woke up I still felt off.  Borderline nauseous, actually.  The thought of hiking 10 more miles made me feel sick - in fact, the thought of hiking at all made me want to curl up in a ball and cry.  But then I thought of getting to see Jeff and I knew that the more miles we put in today the better.  So I reluctantly put on my pack (my heavy pack laden with water for 20 miles) and started to hike.

Alas, the first thing awaiting for me was a huge hill- we went up over 1,600 feet.  I simply couldn't keep up with Nick (and since hills are usually my strength that meant something was definitely wrong).  Everything hurt.  My head throbbed.  My heart raced.  When I told Nick I didn't feel right I'm pretty sure he thought I was just being a baby because he said, "come on, Beth, you're stronger then this".  I know he was trying to motivate me but that was NOT the right thing to say because it made me feel even worse.  I had already been saying that to myself and yet just couldn't seem to pull it together.

By the time we finally made it up the mountain I was done.  I knew there was no way I'd make it another 2 miles let alone 7.  I sat down and forced myself to eat some pretzels with almond butter.  I forced myself to drink.  I still felt like crap.  My heart felt like it was going to beat it's way out of my chest.  

It wasn't easy for me to admit defeat, but I did.  We stopped hiking earlier than we planned and have made camp on the mountain.  Hopefully some decent rest (and more water) is all I need.   
 
Along the trail:

the brutal, beautiful desert