PCT Day 76 – The trail provides
Stats
Start: Tentsite and Carson river – Mile 1026.1
End: Eagle Creek – Mile 1053.2
Elevation Max: 9,372
Elevation Min: 8,152
Elevation Change: 6,260 up & 6,163 down
Average Heart Rate: 127
Walking Time: 8 hrs 39 minutes
Date: 6/17/2022
The Walk
I felt okay this morning. It was nice to be back on trail and in a routine. The wind was real last night! I was worried for my broken trekking pole and held it a few times to make sure it wasn’t broken. But it survived. I only need it to last 2 more nights!
The morning was chilly and I wanted to get an early start. I was exhausted last night and fell asleep around 9. At 5:30 I woke up ready to go. I relaxed another 30 minutes then packed up.
It was a chilly, overcast morning. After I packed up I decided to check the weather just in case. It doesn’t matter what it says, I’m walking today. Way too antsy to sit around another day.
It said 100% chance of rain between 7-9 AM then 0% the rest of the day. Okay, fine. I unpacked my bag and put my sleeping bag / electronics in a garbage sack and stuffed it in the bottom of my pack. Now I’m ready to walk through whatever comes.
I started walking. I felt loose after all the time off. I cruised up the first few climbs and after about 5 miles realized the trail didn’t have much snow or water running in it.
God. Such a welcome change. Most of the past two weeks was a slow pace. Each step was calculated for miles at a time, bouncing between rocks and snow. Today I could cruise. I checked my watched and I was over 3mph. Back to desert speed!
I felt 70%. I had an occasional deep cough and my nose ran all morning. I think I set a record for farmers blows. And my clean sleeves didn’t last long.
But I was making miles and that felt good. My goal was to get to 27 today. Around mile 11 I felt weak but not hungry. That’s one of the most annoying things. I don’t have an appetite yet. But I need to eat! I didn’t even have dinner last night. Only a burger before hiking at 2:00. Oh well.
I sucked it up and kept walking. I wanted to get up the biggest climb before taking a break. The climb was 1k feet over a few miles. Nothing crazy, but I felt exhausted.
I eventually made it up and was at 16 miles for the day. I found a log somewhat out of the wind and laid down. It was cold up here. I put on all my layers and ate a tuna wrap. It was nice to have a simple lunch back on the menu. I didn’t eat anything else, but this was good enough.
I laid down for an hour and felt great leaving. Also the scenery really opened up into beautiful mountains.l and lakes. The next 5 miles went by quickly and I felt okay. Low energy still, but I was getting better. This is the first day I didn’t take cold meds.
I crossed a road and saw a bunch of tables set up. Trail magic!! No way! The absolute best timing ever for me. I got a burger, Dr Pepper, cheetos, and a cookie. My appetite came back for this 🙂
We chatted for an hour and I enjoyed sitting in the chair. It was cold and windy. After giving the puppy a few more pets I started walking. 5 more miles to go. They live 3 hours away and have beeen coming to do trail magic the last 8 years. Crazy!
The last section was beautiful and I felt refreshed. The food helped and I could feel my sinuses clearing. I appreciated the hike and surroundings in a way I hadn’t in a week. A renewed outlook at the trail.
I got to a campsite at 7:30. 4 tents were already pitched and I heard snoring. They must be early risers. I set up and relaxed for the night. I’m tired and excited to be able to sleep again. Thankful for the boost from the trail magic and looking forward to another day tomorrow.