Days Two - Four

Hi all! Sorry for the delay in blog posts - turns out I need pretty decent WiFi to do posts with photos, and so far there hasn’t been much of that! Over the next few hours I’ll upload some of my journaling from my first 7 days on trail, and then hopefully update you on my current thoughts/feelings, now that I’m two weeks in! 

DAY TWO

• 12.2 PCT miles 
• Total: 27.6
• Camped 1.6 miles north of Boulder Oaks campground

Had a nice 5 mile climb and dip back down to Lake Morena in the morning and stopped to have some rest and a breakfast burrito!! 

Was feeling good except for my very sore calves and the fact that my pack seems to be making my left hip and foot numb and tingly. At some points I could barely feel my left hip, which really has been worrying me. I ended up ordering a new pack from REI while at Lake Morena which is coming to Mount Laguna on April 5th. 

After that stress, I made it an extra 7.6 miles hiking by myself to a little site on the top of a ridge with a nice view and soundtrack of the distant highway - a true wilderness experience. 

I had a good time hiking alone today, although I didn’t use my hipbelt at all (due to the numbness), so my shoulders started to get pretty sore :(. I have to get to Mount Laguna with this pack though, so I hope it’s better tomorrow! 

DAY THREE

• 13.9 PCT miles 
• Total: 41.5
• Camped at Burnt Rancheria Campground (Mt. Laguna) 
• Elevation: 5895 ft

Hiked almost 14 miles today mostly by myself (although did a nice two miles with a cool guy from Arizona, and leapfrogged with a few others throughout the day). My shoulders were killlllling me today because I couldn’t use my hipbelt at all. It was pretty much climbing the whole day, but I barely noticed because I was so sore. I had to break every 2 miles to rest my shoulders, but I did manage to make one 4-mile stretch with minimal breaks, leaving me only 4 to do after lunch, which was SUCH a relief. 

The last 2 miles felt rough - I was plodding along just trying not to think too much, but I was rewarded at 3pm at Mount Laguna (my first official resupply point!) by some familiar faces and a pulled chicken sandwich (thanks to the Cafe owner for making me food even though she was just closing up!) 

After a trek to the store for some cold coke, I set up at Burnt Rancheria campground with some friends. Had an 8 minute soapless shower and laundry cleaning (2$) which felt nice but not entirely satisfying. Then I had another dinner there, coupled with a cold beer, and good conversation, then headed to bed at 8! 

DAY FOUR (ish)

No miles yet today - had a leisurely morning watching my friends pack up and head out. I’m hanging in Mount Laguna today because I need my new pack to arrive. Myself and some fellow hiker trash have been lounging outside the store having some snacks and waiting for the post office / restaurant to open at 12pm. (I finally got some flip flops, so I can air out my feet! Yaaaaas). 

Depending on when my pack arrives I might try to do 5-6 miles this afternoon, but if it’s too late, I have a friend staying at the inn here and I will share a room with her tonight! 

Update:

Sadly my pack did not arrive as scheduled so I ended up zero-ing in Mount Laguna, and had to wait until the next day at 12 to get the pack. I was feeling pretty bummed to zero so early and I also lost a few friends who left that morning and are now quite a bit ahead of me. I also had some cramps, was feeling overall blue, and ended up accidentally melting a hole in my very expensive Arc’teryx hoody. I shed a couple tears in the bathroom and then headed to bed, figuring sleep usually helps and tomorrow is a new day.