Mile 656.88 to 680.91 — Today’s miles: 24.03 We’re lucky we got to this campsite early, because as dusk arrives, so do several other hikers who are looking for a place to get out of the wind and sleep. Fortunately for me, the wind is kind of like white noise that covers most of their … More PCT Desert Day 42: On the Home Stretch
Mile 638.38 to 656.88 — Today’s miles: 18.50 A few hours after we go to bed, a small group of hikers arrives at the campsite. It’s a large area, with many different flat spots for tenting, all spread out. There’s plenty of space, but for some reason they camp right next to our tents. They’re … More PCT Desert Day 41: Great Expectations
Mile 617.08 to 638.38 — Today’s miles: 21.30 It is hot all night. I sleep restlessly, my quilt just draped over my torso, tossing and turning in the heat and worrying that I won’t wake up on time. But at 3am I hear my watch alarm beep, hear Sprout and EarlyBird start to get ready. … More PCT Desert Day 40: The Desert Isn’t Finished with Us Yet
Mile 596.46 to 617.08 — Today’s miles: 20.62 As I expected, there is quite a lot of condensation in my tent this morning. That’s what you get for camping on grass, even dead grass. I pack up my damp belongings and am heading out of camp with Whiz Kid and Cowboy by 6:15am, into an … More PCT Desert Day 39: Another Hundred Down
Mile 577.26 to 596.46 — Today’s miles: 19.20 I sleep like a rock in our beautiful campsite, waking briefly before dawn to the sound of EarlyBird folding up her tent poles before hiking out. True to her trail name, she’s always up and out first, but I almost never hear her packing up. Which means … More PCT Desert Day 38: The Birthday Party
Day 36: 0 Miles Day 37: Mile 566.44 to 577.26 — Today’s miles: 10.82 As usual, I don’t sleep well in town, but it’s nice to lounge in bed for an extra hour or two this morning, knowing that I don’t have to get up and hike before the sun hits me. I do have … More PCT Desert Days 36 & 37: This is Living
Mile 541.55 to 566.44 — Today’s miles: 24.89 I hear Cowboy’s alarm go off at 2:30am. In the dark, I lie awake in my quilt and listen to the sounds around me: EarlyBird folding up her tent poles, and then the crunch of her shoes on the sand as she hikes out; Sprout clipping her … More PCT Desert Day 35: The Bar & Grill
