After a nice stretch in the trees and spending multipledays up between 7,000 - 9,000ft high, we are descending back down to our next stop, Agua Dulce at 2,300ft, and the last 250 miles of desert.
We resupplied a few days ago in Wrightwood and met up with hikers we have and have not met before and had pizza and beers at the Yodler (see pic below). Katie and I shared a hotel room with 4 others (Muppet and Stilts from Michigan and Deer Hunter & Sexy Legs from MO). BTW, Katie's trail name is Midnight Chocolate and I don't have a trail name yet.
Between Wrightwood and Agua Dulce is about 86 miles and we are aiming to do this stretch in 4 days (currently we are on day 3 as I type this). There is a peak that we summited the first day out of Wrightwood called Mt Baden-Powell. After that it has been generally downhill with a couple trail detours thrown in for an endangered yellow frog and for the Mill Fire Station Fire from 2008. From the fire, a poisonous plant called poodle dog bush (similar affects like that of poison oak but looks like a Dr. Seuss plant) grows abundantly in the area after a fire and has gotten so bad in parts of the trail that it is unavoidable so they detour hikers to walk a road instead. I included a pic below of Katie navigating it and trying not to let it touch her or her clothes.
We are still trying to figure out our food and how many calories we need to eat. We keep on having 2 days of extra food by the time we get into town which is a lot of extra weight to be hauling around, so for this last 4 day stretch we are trying to go tight on food to see if we can nail it down. Three days into this 4 day stretch, I am tight on food but will make it without starving. However, it is stressing me out more than I thought it would, so I think I will stick with carrying the extra weight moving forward and just eat more!
We here the temps right now are breaking records and it certainly feels that way. Luckily we are in the shade at a Ranger Station taking a long break from the afternoon heat. After we leave here we won't have any shade until we get to the Saufley's (a trail angel's house in Agua Dulce), so we are enjoying it while we can.
Trivia question for a super duper prize...what was Lord Baden-Powell known for that a mountain was named after him?
Updated trail stats after 26 days:
# snakes: 12
# days rain: 1
# pushups: 120
# showers with soap: 5
# trail magic: 13
# nights not in tent: 3
And the answer is: founder of the Boy Scouts. More curious about the poodle doodle bush. I HATE poison oak and it LOVES to spread over me as quickly as it can. Yuck!! Heat is taking its toll up here as well. Will include a couple articles in your next box. Allen is slowly slogging his way home from Indiana. Despite all the compliments he is getting on his latest acquisition, it is not a cross country plane and he is ready to admire it while it sits in the hanger. Saw Colleen, Andy, Matt, and Amy over Mother's Day weekend and all is well. Went to church with G&G. Several of their friends asked me, "Is it your daughter that is hiking?" You have a following even if they don't play your guessing games?! You both look strong. I love the pictures and dialog. Thanks for keeping us posted.
ReplyDeleteDo all guys on the trail have beards? Aren't they hot?
ReplyDeleteMost guys are growing the beard, but some prefer to shave. I would have to refer to Kevin for this one...Sherpa, if you read this, what is your opinion on the beard and heat??
DeleteIn my opinion, hiker beards are a rite of passage on the trail. I figure we might as well look like the hobo wanderers that we already are. That being said, my buddy on the A.T. who shaved got a lot easier hitches, and more trail magic. As for the heat, I'm not sure that I noticed it, but it does save on the amount of sunscreen that you need. Plus, every now and then, you may find some food that you were saving for later in there.
DeleteWoo-hoo! Glad to see Midnight Chocolate holding strong. You guys are doing awesome on the trail. That Poodle dog bush sounds brutal. You'll be in the Sierras and out of the heat before you know it. Have fun at the Saufleys. They are amazing folks, but alas, don't forget to save time for Hippie Day Care at the Andersons. By the way, I saw an article online from May 3rd that said the Sierra snowpack was only 17% of normal. Looks like you guys don't have to worry about getting there too soon, but stay as long as you can at the Saufley/Andersons' those places are special.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, this site, http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cdecapp/snowapp/sweq.action shows even less. Southern Sierra's 5% of normal.
DeleteYou guys probably didn't run into poodle dog bush since the fire was after you hiked the PCT. Glad we are done with that stuff!
DeleteWe are the Saufley's now and it is PARADISE!! We plan to stay 2 nights to get chores done and some R&R, then push on to the Andersons'.
We are thinking of not having our ice axes shipped to Kennedy Meadows as I hear Forrester Pass is clear of snow!
Waiting in anticipation for your trail name, Tiff ....
ReplyDelete