Alright! Made it to Big Bear Lake (Big Bear City). The last week has been a wild one. Started off the section by taking a little loop off the trail to hit up Mt. San Jacinto. This snow covered volcano was our first test at snow travel and navigation. The trail to the top was easy enough to follow but the way down was a good game of point and shoot. The view from the top looking over Palm Springs, I-10, San Gorgonio, and the desert we came out of was icing on top of our big ol' adventure cake. We were the only crowd that went for the peak that day and we all came down the got over fuller ridge with the sense of accomplishment floating us over the last snowy sections.
The next day was a learning experience! We all had about 15 miles of sun scorched hillside to get down to drop 6,500 feet into the windswept valley just outside of Cabazon, CA. I got stubborn and wanted to get down that thing as quick as possible and wound up pushing it in the hottest part of the day. By the end of day my feet looked like I'd put them through the toaster - three big ol' blisters right on the bottom of both feet and the rest red and tender. Bad idea! The rest of my crew pushed through the windy valley and slept under I-10 (where they found beers, burgers, and a crowd of hurtin' hikers). I decided to tuck in close to the ridge to try to get out of the wind (we all found out they have big windfarms there for a reason) and nursed my feet a little bit. The last 4 days of the section involved a lot of hobbling around (it's called the "hiker hobble" around here). My ankles are a little upset from tiptoeing around the trail trying to stay off the sore spots but I was still able to push a couple of 20 mile days. A slow pace had me arriving into camp after dark but with some cabins built at one camp and a quick hitch at rt. 18 into town both days were well worth it. Now that I'm in town I'm doing Epson soaks and lots of rest to get the pads back in shape. It's working out well.
Folks are freaking out because we're getting a little weather out here. (I thought it never rained in SoCal!) Us east coasters are laughing all the way to the next town. A little sleet won't keep us inside!
A little shout-out to trail angels at whitewater preserve. Rolled into there a day after the foot roast and was psyched to see an ice cold wading pool and dogs, burgers, pasta salad, roasted chicken, THE WORKS thanks to Buck-30 and Kay.
OK! We're going to head out of town this afternoon but here's where I'll probably be in the coming couple of weeks and addresses you can reach me.
General Delivery, Wrightwood, CA 92397 5/23 <--- a little later than before so OK to send mail
c/o The Saufleys 11861 Darling rd., Agua Dulce, CA 91390
Remember to check out the how-to on mailing before sending anything. Talk to ya'll in a bit!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Goin' Idyllwild!
Hey hey! Made it to mile 178! The past week has been a blast. I'm getting into the rhythm of the day - waking up at 5:30 and then hiking until I'm hungry, stopping for breakfast, and then going for 2 hour (about 5 mile) walks broken up by tons o' snacks to rack up something like 17 miles a day. The biggest day has been 24 miles so far. At the end of the day it's time for a quick meal, a few sentences in the journal (Today I hiked. It was fun. I'm tired.) and then it's in the bag and dead asleep by 8:30. Rinse (if you can find water) and repeat.
I've really enjoyed walking by myself. I zone out. Let my mind wander. It watch the miles roll by. Then I reconvene with some friends for a break or to camp out and go off on my own in the morning. In the last few days I've been hanging out with a real good group of folks that I hope to hang around with for a while - shoutout to Bubbles, New Homes, Seahorse, and Tiny Dancer to name a few. Welcome to the PCT circus. Funny names, strange smells, and funky food abound. It's good to be with a positive crowd especially with the weather we've had in the past few days - did a little climbing to about 8000 feet and were met with high winds and hail storms. A bunch of people waited out the weather but I was psyched to go right through it with some good people. We all stayed pretty dry and had sunshiny smiling faces on our way down the mountain. Best to hit the bar in town with a few good stories!
Today I took a "zero" and didn't hike at all. I've mostly spent my time eating food, drinking beers, and hanging with hikers with a few big spurts of productivity in between to get myself ready for the next leg. My itinerary still looks on point for Big Bear and whatever the next town is (wrightwood?). You can see that info here. Best email AND toss me a voicemail if you plan on sending anything out.
Tomorrow we head out for a first summit - Mt. San Jacinto with the intimidating Fuller Ridge leading up to it. People have been freaking out about high snow levels and slick conditions but I have the gear to make it happen. It's gonna be good adventure. Hopefully I'll be able to get some photos online sometime soon and show you all what I've been looking at - it's freakin' beautiful out here! Plus I have good photos of roadside beers and greasy spoons diners we happen to come upon at road crossings (man that french toast was good).
One last thing. Had my first real deal trail magic yesterday when we came upon a couple unsuspecting day hikers. We wound up heading the same way and by the end of the day these two fellas were feeding us beers and cheetos and giving us rides to town. Thanks to Brian and Lee for San Diego and LA for making the end of a long day a dream come true!
I've really enjoyed walking by myself. I zone out. Let my mind wander. It watch the miles roll by. Then I reconvene with some friends for a break or to camp out and go off on my own in the morning. In the last few days I've been hanging out with a real good group of folks that I hope to hang around with for a while - shoutout to Bubbles, New Homes, Seahorse, and Tiny Dancer to name a few. Welcome to the PCT circus. Funny names, strange smells, and funky food abound. It's good to be with a positive crowd especially with the weather we've had in the past few days - did a little climbing to about 8000 feet and were met with high winds and hail storms. A bunch of people waited out the weather but I was psyched to go right through it with some good people. We all stayed pretty dry and had sunshiny smiling faces on our way down the mountain. Best to hit the bar in town with a few good stories!
Today I took a "zero" and didn't hike at all. I've mostly spent my time eating food, drinking beers, and hanging with hikers with a few big spurts of productivity in between to get myself ready for the next leg. My itinerary still looks on point for Big Bear and whatever the next town is (wrightwood?). You can see that info here. Best email AND toss me a voicemail if you plan on sending anything out.
Tomorrow we head out for a first summit - Mt. San Jacinto with the intimidating Fuller Ridge leading up to it. People have been freaking out about high snow levels and slick conditions but I have the gear to make it happen. It's gonna be good adventure. Hopefully I'll be able to get some photos online sometime soon and show you all what I've been looking at - it's freakin' beautiful out here! Plus I have good photos of roadside beers and greasy spoons diners we happen to come upon at road crossings (man that french toast was good).
One last thing. Had my first real deal trail magic yesterday when we came upon a couple unsuspecting day hikers. We wound up heading the same way and by the end of the day these two fellas were feeding us beers and cheetos and giving us rides to town. Thanks to Brian and Lee for San Diego and LA for making the end of a long day a dream come true!
Friday, May 6, 2011
Mile 110: Angels, Parties, Names, and Magic
So I'm well into the desert. I got through a little nervous energy in the start but not without some silly results. Things I did while running around like a chicken with no head on aderall included: leaving my cell phone in a car, leaving my trekking poles in someones truck, dropping my camera in a stream at miles 2.5 (no the warranty does not cover submersion), and popping my precious water bag on one of the many spiky things in the desert. All maters were resolved and I'm again with phone, poles, camera and plenty of water storage but my forhead is still red from slapping it so many times. Unfortunately I can't get photos up at the moment but here are some big to-do's that went down in the first 110:
TRAIL ANGELS
**************
Trail Angels are total strangers that for one reason or another have taken it upon themselves to provide hikers with necessary services or totally unecessary luxury items as we trod north. Southern california is known specifically for having a high concentration of these beautiful people who set out to make what we all call "trail magic" happen. Examples have included:
-being picked up in san diego, fed, and driven to the trail ala scout and frodo
-given beer and snacks at almost every road crossing (don't worry there have only been 5 so far) ala D.O.T.
-provided over 200 of gallons of water in the middle of the desert at a crucial point in an otherwise 54 mile dry stretch ala Mulestomper
-one big ol' BBQ, campfire, and all around good party at mile 101 ala Princess
-ice tea and snacks just after eagle rock ala Hamburger Helper and Tabasco (people not the corporations)
And this shit as only started. In a couple days I'm expecting to walk up to a house that's hosting a home smoked chicken BBQ and then a few weeks after that we'll hit the famous trail angels the Saufleys and then the Andersons. By the time we hit the Sierras we're all going to be super spoiled and majorly dissapointed. But we're taking it all in while we can now. My favorite thing about these folks besides the effort and generosity they throw our way is how militant they are about making sure you get the best of whatever it is they have to offer. The other night I was trying to get a hot dog at the BBQ after a long 24 mile day and it was not happening until I got a cold beer, all the necessary utensils, and a seat by the fire first. I was pretty antsy to get my hands on that dog but I wasn't about to argue with orders!
Trail Names
**********
So everyone at one point or another is dubbed some name that will stick with them for the rest of the hike. It's a fun a carefree tradition that allows folks to go by a name that fits their character rather than there parents' naming inclinations. Some names are associated with a story, others by a common association, others just because someone said so. Once your given a name you have the option to turn it down for a better one but you better be quick about it because it'll travel fast along the trail before you have enough time to stomp it out. I got my name because I wore a funny hat to kickoff - my super sun resistant sombrero. Before long people thought of me as that guy with the sombrero or "mexico" but it wasn't until a funny discussion about lost passports near the border and sneaking by the patrol down in Campo that a Floridian by the name of Kilroy dubbed me "Pepe Lopez." Immediately everyone in the group was doubled over laughing so much so that I thought I missed the joke - some pop culture reference or atleast tequila brand. I was reluctant to accept at first. I really wanted a name that had a story behind it not just - I wore a sombrero to kickoff. But when I kept telling people my name I got the same reaction everytime - pure joy and laughter. I can't complain being surrounded by that and it's sure easy for people to remember me and pick me out even miles down the trail. No wonder I didn't see any sombreros at the border.
Alright. I'm getting antsy to hit the hot springs here at Warner Springs. So you know I'm having an awesome time. I love walking alone and getting through 20 mile days and reconvening with newfound friends along the trail at every water source and camp ground. I even started working on my harmonica playing and hope to be rocking out in no time. I wish you all well and hope you're having half the fun that I am. Until next time!
TRAIL ANGELS
**************
Trail Angels are total strangers that for one reason or another have taken it upon themselves to provide hikers with necessary services or totally unecessary luxury items as we trod north. Southern california is known specifically for having a high concentration of these beautiful people who set out to make what we all call "trail magic" happen. Examples have included:
-being picked up in san diego, fed, and driven to the trail ala scout and frodo
-given beer and snacks at almost every road crossing (don't worry there have only been 5 so far) ala D.O.T.
-provided over 200 of gallons of water in the middle of the desert at a crucial point in an otherwise 54 mile dry stretch ala Mulestomper
-one big ol' BBQ, campfire, and all around good party at mile 101 ala Princess
-ice tea and snacks just after eagle rock ala Hamburger Helper and Tabasco (people not the corporations)
And this shit as only started. In a couple days I'm expecting to walk up to a house that's hosting a home smoked chicken BBQ and then a few weeks after that we'll hit the famous trail angels the Saufleys and then the Andersons. By the time we hit the Sierras we're all going to be super spoiled and majorly dissapointed. But we're taking it all in while we can now. My favorite thing about these folks besides the effort and generosity they throw our way is how militant they are about making sure you get the best of whatever it is they have to offer. The other night I was trying to get a hot dog at the BBQ after a long 24 mile day and it was not happening until I got a cold beer, all the necessary utensils, and a seat by the fire first. I was pretty antsy to get my hands on that dog but I wasn't about to argue with orders!
Trail Names
**********
So everyone at one point or another is dubbed some name that will stick with them for the rest of the hike. It's a fun a carefree tradition that allows folks to go by a name that fits their character rather than there parents' naming inclinations. Some names are associated with a story, others by a common association, others just because someone said so. Once your given a name you have the option to turn it down for a better one but you better be quick about it because it'll travel fast along the trail before you have enough time to stomp it out. I got my name because I wore a funny hat to kickoff - my super sun resistant sombrero. Before long people thought of me as that guy with the sombrero or "mexico" but it wasn't until a funny discussion about lost passports near the border and sneaking by the patrol down in Campo that a Floridian by the name of Kilroy dubbed me "Pepe Lopez." Immediately everyone in the group was doubled over laughing so much so that I thought I missed the joke - some pop culture reference or atleast tequila brand. I was reluctant to accept at first. I really wanted a name that had a story behind it not just - I wore a sombrero to kickoff. But when I kept telling people my name I got the same reaction everytime - pure joy and laughter. I can't complain being surrounded by that and it's sure easy for people to remember me and pick me out even miles down the trail. No wonder I didn't see any sombreros at the border.
Alright. I'm getting antsy to hit the hot springs here at Warner Springs. So you know I'm having an awesome time. I love walking alone and getting through 20 mile days and reconvening with newfound friends along the trail at every water source and camp ground. I even started working on my harmonica playing and hope to be rocking out in no time. I wish you all well and hope you're having half the fun that I am. Until next time!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Scout and Frodo
Hey folks. Landed in San Diego and am already surrounded by a crowd of happy hikers. I met up with a few hikers who happened to be on the same train. We hit the curb and were swiftly swooped up by the van (where I promptly dropped my cell phone - to be retrieved tomorrow) taking us to Scout and Frodo's home base - a hiker haven ready to fulfill all of our needs. We were well fed, given internet access, provided maps and water information... these people are ON IT! Plenty of conversation and shared excitement have definitely helped me move through some of my jitters. I'm still antsy as all hell to hit the trail and the caravan of 12 cars to carry the 50 some odd people who are here to the trailhead takes off at 6 tomorrow morning. HURRAH! I'm psyched about the first steps and hoping to pound out 20 miles tomorrow for a crash landing at the kickoff party. I'll try to whip out the camera tomorrow but for now I'm way too overstimulated to stop and think about it. I haven't been this nervous and excited since my first day at high school. I'm sure this experience will be WAY more rewarding. I'll be lucky if I can get myself to sleep tonight but I'm sure as hell tomorrow night will be met with many zzzz's. Goodnight everyone!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
On my way!
My bags are packed. I'm ready to go. I'm standing here...
What do you mean there's no jetplane? Well shit. I guess I'll just hoof it.
I'm hopping on a train tomorrow morning to head down to San Diego where some nice folks - Scout and Frodo (no this is not an unfortunate coupling of people with equally unfortunate names... those are their trail names) are putting me up and driving me to the trail. Through some organizing emails I already found some fellow hikers who are gonna be on the same train. Holy shit we're everywhere! And we're swarming on SoCal. Then it's off to the ADZPCTKO2011 kickoff party for the weekend before really digging into the first section. Here are some spots I'll be along the way that you can send mail to if you'd like. Check out this post for the how-to on sending me stuff.
Idyllwild, CA 92549 ETA: 5/10
Big Bear City, CA 92314 ETA: 5/16
Wrightwood, CA 92397 ETA: 5/21 which is a Saturday and the post office will be closed til monday (ie. I want your mail but won't want to wait around 2 days for it). Call me/email before you send a package here to see if my itinerary's changed at all.
Well. That's all for now. I'm off to get some adventure, meet some good folks, stretch my legs, and see the sights. It's a mixture of disbelief, anticipation, sadness, and excitement that'll all come crashing into the first hurrah in these next few days. Always feel free to email me or leave a voicemail. I'll check both whenever I can. Lots of love!
What do you mean there's no jetplane? Well shit. I guess I'll just hoof it.
I'm hopping on a train tomorrow morning to head down to San Diego where some nice folks - Scout and Frodo (no this is not an unfortunate coupling of people with equally unfortunate names... those are their trail names) are putting me up and driving me to the trail. Through some organizing emails I already found some fellow hikers who are gonna be on the same train. Holy shit we're everywhere! And we're swarming on SoCal. Then it's off to the ADZPCTKO2011 kickoff party for the weekend before really digging into the first section. Here are some spots I'll be along the way that you can send mail to if you'd like. Check out this post for the how-to on sending me stuff.
Idyllwild, CA 92549 ETA: 5/10
Big Bear City, CA 92314 ETA: 5/16
Wrightwood, CA 92397 ETA: 5/21 which is a Saturday and the post office will be closed til monday (ie. I want your mail but won't want to wait around 2 days for it). Call me/email before you send a package here to see if my itinerary's changed at all.
Well. That's all for now. I'm off to get some adventure, meet some good folks, stretch my legs, and see the sights. It's a mixture of disbelief, anticipation, sadness, and excitement that'll all come crashing into the first hurrah in these next few days. Always feel free to email me or leave a voicemail. I'll check both whenever I can. Lots of love!
Maildrops: a how-to
Sweet! So I'm about to head off. Here is the official info on how to mail me stuff along the trail. First the logistical nitty gritty:
Most of the places I'll grab boxes from are post offices (as opposed to businesses or UPS centers). If you're shipping me something in a box via a post office ALWAYS send it Priority Mail. It'll only take 5 days tops to get there and it won't get lost. If you're sending me a letter you can send it by regular first class. As I go I'll list towns that I'll be stopping into and when I'll be there. My plans are always a rough estimate so best to have it arrive a few days before my actual ETA. The post office will hold packages for about 2 weeks from the listed ETA. Here's how to address it:
My Name (unless you've made other hiking friends who are more important to you)
General Delivery
Town, State Zip Code
THEN on the bottom left corner of the box write "Hold for PCT hiker ETA: date"
Things to consider:
-if you send me a package to a USPS general delivery address via UPS I won't get it!
-if you send me a package and require a signature I won't get it!
-if you send me a package via first class or parcel post most likely, I won't get it!
Sometimes I'll pick stuff up at businesses that only accept UPS. I'll note these spots as I go. Here's how to address those:
My Name
c/o name of business
complete address
town, state zip
"Hold for PCT hiker ETA: date"
SURPRISES ARE FUN WHEN YOU CAN FIND THEM!!
As much as I love a good surprise, if I don't know your box is coming then I'm not going to look for it (and may not even stop at that post office). Please email me or leave a voice mail at least a week before I get there letting me know what to look for and where.
Imagine a sea of boxes. Now imagine finding the little one that Mom said would be there filled with your favorite cookies. Now imagine not being able to look for that box but having to direct an overworked and underpayed government employee. SHIT! Please, LABEL YOUR BOXES WELL. Write my name all over it or cover it in glitter glue or reuse that cheesy gift box that you got last x-mas. Whatever it is, just make it obvious and tell me about all the flare so I can help out the nice folks behind the counter.
Phew! Never thought is was going to be that tricky eh? Here's a little bit on what (not) to send me:
OK. So I'm gonna be in the woods (or desert or mountains) with everything I own on my back. Thus whatever you send me I either need to consume immediately, bring along for the ride, mail home, or trash. Here are some examples:
My sis sent me homemade fruit and nut bars... NICE! Eatin' some now and saving the rest for later!
My old college buddy sent me 2 liters of whiskey... taking a celebratory slug, passing it around, and then dramatically sobbing while I drain the rest into the gutter.
My family friend sent me a full sized photo album of that time I visited last spring... cursing while I wait in line and spend the 10 bucks to send it home
My brother sent me a couple small photos of my nieces and nephews... taking them along for the ride.
You get the idea. Trail snacks are always welcome and letters always appreciated.
That's all. Later today I'll write a send off post and list my first town or two. Thanks in advanced for all the support, love, and presents that may come my way!
Most of the places I'll grab boxes from are post offices (as opposed to businesses or UPS centers). If you're shipping me something in a box via a post office ALWAYS send it Priority Mail. It'll only take 5 days tops to get there and it won't get lost. If you're sending me a letter you can send it by regular first class. As I go I'll list towns that I'll be stopping into and when I'll be there. My plans are always a rough estimate so best to have it arrive a few days before my actual ETA. The post office will hold packages for about 2 weeks from the listed ETA. Here's how to address it:
My Name (unless you've made other hiking friends who are more important to you)
General Delivery
Town, State Zip Code
THEN on the bottom left corner of the box write "Hold for PCT hiker ETA: date"
Things to consider:
-if you send me a package to a USPS general delivery address via UPS I won't get it!
-if you send me a package and require a signature I won't get it!
-if you send me a package via first class or parcel post most likely, I won't get it!
Sometimes I'll pick stuff up at businesses that only accept UPS. I'll note these spots as I go. Here's how to address those:
My Name
c/o name of business
complete address
town, state zip
"Hold for PCT hiker ETA: date"
SURPRISES ARE FUN WHEN YOU CAN FIND THEM!!
As much as I love a good surprise, if I don't know your box is coming then I'm not going to look for it (and may not even stop at that post office). Please email me or leave a voice mail at least a week before I get there letting me know what to look for and where.
Imagine a sea of boxes. Now imagine finding the little one that Mom said would be there filled with your favorite cookies. Now imagine not being able to look for that box but having to direct an overworked and underpayed government employee. SHIT! Please, LABEL YOUR BOXES WELL. Write my name all over it or cover it in glitter glue or reuse that cheesy gift box that you got last x-mas. Whatever it is, just make it obvious and tell me about all the flare so I can help out the nice folks behind the counter.
Phew! Never thought is was going to be that tricky eh? Here's a little bit on what (not) to send me:
OK. So I'm gonna be in the woods (or desert or mountains) with everything I own on my back. Thus whatever you send me I either need to consume immediately, bring along for the ride, mail home, or trash. Here are some examples:
My sis sent me homemade fruit and nut bars... NICE! Eatin' some now and saving the rest for later!
My old college buddy sent me 2 liters of whiskey... taking a celebratory slug, passing it around, and then dramatically sobbing while I drain the rest into the gutter.
My family friend sent me a full sized photo album of that time I visited last spring... cursing while I wait in line and spend the 10 bucks to send it home
My brother sent me a couple small photos of my nieces and nephews... taking them along for the ride.
You get the idea. Trail snacks are always welcome and letters always appreciated.
That's all. Later today I'll write a send off post and list my first town or two. Thanks in advanced for all the support, love, and presents that may come my way!
Monday, April 18, 2011
Eastern Sierra Adventure Time
Just got back from some weekend hoopla in the eastern Sierra with our lovely guide Greta, Leigh, and NEW FRIENDS Bridget and Bri. We camped, we climbed, we gorged ourselves on the views of the mountains and desert and did a lot of fiddling with my new camera. Check it out!
 |
| Leigh showing us what the high-step is all about |
 |
| The Love, the Ride, and the Mountains. Yes! |
  Thanks for the catch Greta! Night 2 - we shuffled up to Bishop, CA and found a sweet spot to camp on Buttermilk rd. The next day Bri and I did a little walkabout and got to see what the desert/rock/mountain landscape was all about.        Bri taking it all in |
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