Start: 0700 - Fontanillis Lake
End: 2030 - PCT mile 1029.5
Miles (today): 21
Miles (cumulative): 1168 (1021.5 PCT, 91.5 alternate, 55 off)
So far, so good - my leg was mostly ok again today! I'm sure the rest and the massage I received in South Lake Tahoe helps a lot, as does the fact that I'm taking it slow (as difficult as it is for me to be slow), but I also think perhaps the good vibes people are sending (like Gayle's daughter) are helping, too. Also, the trail was mostly forgiving (not too many rocky parts) and rather beautiful. I'll take it.
I walked alone the entire day and only saw a handful of PCT hikers, which was strange. In fact, until 1700, I only saw Spooky and Alexander/Bandit (and Nick in the morning). Usually I see more PCT hikers than that!
the view when I stepped out of the tent this morning - gorgeous
At Barker's Pass trailhead there was trail magic- this time from Story Teller, a 2013 PCT hiker. He had Oreos, Nutella, soda, and beer. I had never tried the whole Oreo and Nutella combination before so I figured why not have a few. It was definitely something I would hate in real life (so much sugar!) but it was ok as far as a trail snack is concerned. It definitely gave me a huge boost to get up and over Barker's Pass!
Nick and I were smart today - we planned to meet at mile 1027 and then figure out the rest of the evening from there. However, I was waiting so long for him (over an hour) that I started to worry he was waiting for me up the hill. I actually walked back up the hill to find him! No worries, he had just been enjoying the trail magic (and had been having GI issues earlier).
We had wanted to get in at least 24 miles today... But it was either camp here or hike another 5 miles (which would of had us hiking in the dark). Hopefully we'll get an early start tomorrow - we have dinner plans with a friend of Nick's former boss, Paul, tomorrow night! :)
Along the trail:
1111.1 miles- and today is the 11th!
this tree was growing sideways over the trail - weird
I liked the mossy trees
looking back as I walked up Barker
oooh! A new wilderness!
