PCT: Week One

I’ve been on trail for one week now. I’ve learned that the desert is a place of extremes. Heat and cold. High, steep mountains and wide, flat valleys. Sand and flowers. So many flowers. (Apparently this year is a flower super bloom.) Water and no water. The dust, oh the dust! Everything and everyone is coated in a layer of reddish brown dust. I’ve seen 2 rattlesnakes, countless lizards, and giant pine cones.

I’ve experienced 60 mph winds, cold driving rain, sunny skies, an afternoon rain storm, unexpected water sources, and expected water sources that no longer existed.

I’ve received trail magic on a couple of occasions. On day three, I walked through a campground. A lady named Kathy invited Gin Gin, a hiker named Kelci, and me for salad. Salad! If you ever decided to give a hiker some food, be sure to bring along fresh fruit and veggies. Salad is hard to find on the trail. That salad was so tasty. On day 5, a former PCT hiker, Magneto, offered hikers oranges, chips, and soda at a picnic area. This was a big morale boost since Gin Gin and I had to move camp and hike 2 more miles in high wind because we realized we set up in a no-camp zone. 

Since about day 3, I’ve been hiking around and camping with a small group: Joe, Kelci, Don, and a couple from the Netherlands. We all seem to be hiking at the same pace so far.​ It’s fun to see familiar faces on trail throughout the day.

I’m 7 days, 77.3 miles, 2 showers, 1 pizza, and many layers of dust in. I’m loving (almost) every bit.