1hellovahike!

(Mike)
BTW, I noticed on our last post that the author (or in that case, the "authoress") had neglected to say where we were at that time (we were in the tiny little "rec. town" of Mt. Laguna, @ approx. MP #47). The PCT passes by there, about 1/4 mile from the town, and we had sent a resupply box to that P.O. As it happened, it was Easter Sunday when we arrived and so the PO was closed (didn't open until Mon. noon, so we effectively lost an entire day of hiking time while there). We had kept watch along the trail, hoping to score some hidden easter eggs, saw a couple of stray bunnys, but they were apparently off duty. No eggs for us :-( . We spent a night in an overpriced, dumpy motel. It was OK, though--the day of rest was therapeutic, and I once read something to the effect that "...on the hike, it is good to take an occasional day of rest because the body requires it and the spirit demands it"...or something. Had we been smarter, we could have mailed our box to the little general store, the mgt. of which would have been happy to hold it for us free of charge (as it was, they were also quite happy to usuriously overcharge us for lodging, a 6-pack of beer and some other items).

Since then, we've also gone into the small (lovely, and very "hiker-friendly") town of Jullian to collect a resupply box from that PO, and to eat huge omelettes and salads. In this case, the PCT crosses a highway, so we hitchhiked 12 miles into town and back (thank you, Joe and Lee, for the rides). No problem getting into and out of towns thus far.

While on the trail, I have observed that we have frequently been within sight of roads and other vestiges of "civilization", unlike at home in Wash. State, where I know that one can hike on the PCT for perhaps as long as 4 days without seeing even so much as a logging road. I prefer the latter.

We're doing pretty well, hiked 19 miles ea. day the past couple of days--and over some pretty rough trail while carrying heavy loads of extra water. We're getting in shape, but still have a ways to go in that regard.

Yesterday, we passed the 100-mile mark. The hike is already 1/27 done!

Weather: consistently clear, warm, and dry. Temperature: 90 degrees for 5-6 hours every day and very little shade, but often with a nice breeze. We are each drinking about one liter (weighs 2 lbs.) of often frighteningly scarce water every 5 miles--and the possibility of it's unavailability scares me. That issue is sure to become more prominent in the coming weeks.

A few words about my amazing hiking partner, my best friend (and more), the lovely Jan Lapiana: This lady is incredible. There are, as far as I have observed, very few women thru-hiking the PCT, and the large majority of the men appear to be in their early 20's. This 65-year-old grandmother is keeping up with most everyone we've met--and somehow seems, late on every day, to get a "second wind" that inspires (and nearly shames) me. She is way ahead of the herd (well..., our little herd) in creatively solving problems and in planning logistics and schedules. She has acquired a blister the size of a nickel on each foot (which she dismissively said are "gonna be calluses pretty soon", she has been both stung by a bee and bitten by an ant, experienced at least two known close encounters with large and obviously pissed off rattle snakes, her air mattress went flat three times the night before last (one of today's fixit projects), she steps in and either handles or supervises the food prep. and general cleanup. And she says she's having a great time! I'm just a sort of pack mule (which role is appropriate for a big dumb Polak such as I).

Justin and Joseph Moore: You both need to be be very proud and appreciative of your grandma!

So, here are a few pics we shot before the iPhone ran out of power (our "maybe-not-so-smartphone" burns a lot of electricity but, because our solar charger weighed 8 oz., we left it home and can recharge only when we're in towns):


Lotsa' blooms along trail









Celebrating our 100 mile accomplishment with a stiff drink...of chlorine-treated water.






Holy s***! We're goin' across that?! Yep, we did it. Cool!









Next stop: Anza, Ca. (MP #153).

(Jan)
I cannot let "The Incredible Hulk" send this off without a few words of well deserved praise for his capabilities. He is intelligent, handsome, and funny. He keeps us going with his stories and jokes, and most thankfully seems to be not only half deaf but nearly blind as well since it appears that he hasn't noticed he is hiking with a lady clearly past her prime! This guy even appreciates flowers and healthy food. Thanks to Mike for being so gracious, keeping his cool during the day and warming us at night. Oh yes, he is also a perfectionist as he has been working on this entry most of the day!

Mike and Jan

Location:California 79,,United States

1hellovahike!

(Mike)
BTW, I noticed on our last post that the author (or in that case, the authoress) had neglected to say where we were at that time (we were in the tiny little "rec. Town" called Mt. Laguna (@ approx. MP 47). The PCT passes by, about 1/4 mile from the town, and we had sent a resupply box to the P. O. there. As it happened, it was Easter Sunday when we arrived and so the PO was closed (didn't open until Mon. noon, so we effectively lost an entire day of hiking time while there). We did watch along the trail, hoping to score some hidden easter eggs, saw a couple of stray bunnys, but they were apparently off duty. No eggs for us:-( We stayed a night in an overpriced, dumpy motel. It was OK, though--the day of rest was therapeutic, and I once read something to the effect that "...on the hike, it is good to take an occasional day of rest because the body requires it and the spirit demands it". Had we been smarter, we would have sent our box to their little general store, who's mgt. would have been happy to hold it for us free of charge (as it turned out, they were also quite happy to usuriously overcharge us for the lodging, a 6-pack of beer and some other items).

Since th we've gone into the small (lovely--and very "hiker-friendly") town of Jullian to collect a resupply bx from their PO, and to eat copious omelettes and salads. In this case, the trail crossed a highway, so we hitchhiked the 12 miles into town and back. No problem getting into and out of towns thus far.

Actually, I have observed that one is frequently within sight of roads and other indicators of "civilization", unlike at home in Wash. State, where I know that one can hike on the PCT for perhaps as long as 4 days without seeing as much as even a logging road)--I much prefer the latter.

We're doing well, hiked 19 miles ea day the past couple of days, and over some pretty rough trail while carrying heavy loads of extra water. We're getting in shape, but still have a ways to go in that regard.

Now a few words about my incredible hiking partner, the lovely Jan Lapiana: This lady is incredible. There are, as far as I have observed, very few women thru-hiking the PCT, and the large majority of the men appear to be in their early 20's. This 65-year-old grandmother (Jan) is keeping up with most everyone we've met--and seems, toward the end of every day, to somehow get a "second wind" that inspires (and nearly shames) me. She is way ahead of the herd in creatively solving problems and in planning logistics and in scheduling. She has a blister the size of a nickel on each foot (which she dismissively said are gonna be calluses pretty soon), she has been stung by a bee and bitten by an ant, her air mattress went flat on her three times the night before last (one of today's fixit projects), she steps in and either handles or supervises the food prep. and general cleanup. I'm just a sort of pack mule (which role is appropriate for a big dumb Pollak such as I). Justin and Joseph Moore: You both need to be be very proud and appreciative of your grandma!

Here are a few pics we shot before the iPhone ran out of power (that "maybe-not-so-smart-phone" burns a lot of electricity and because our solar charger weighs 8 oz., we left it home):


Mike and Jan

Location:Warner Springs, Ca,

Update

Arrived here under cloudy skies and high winds. Paid a whopping $81 for a $25 room, but got a hot shower, a 6 pack, and a good night's sleep. We're waiting for the post office to open at 12 so we can get back on the trail and still get in 15-17 miles today. So far we are on track with our mileage and today is all downhill.

Here's a few pix:


Monument @ beginning trail (mp 0000)



Mike anoints the old border fence (George Bush's wall is to the right).


The new fence.




Yucca blooming.






These guys are guests of the great state of Cal. They get "three hots and a cot" (plus 1/3 sentence reduction for doing trail work).



Here' their workmanship.



Wild lilac(?) profusely along trail.






Mikenjan

We're Off!

(Jan)
What a way to go! It's hard to beat the train. The view is awesome, the ride and seats comfortable and spacious, and the cost about a quarter the cost of a plane ticket, all without the indignity of a strip search! (For that matter, any kind of inspection). We are both enjoying this train travel such that we've sworn off airplanes.

We're starting one week later than we originally planned and our itinerary is topsy turvy but it should take advantage of the better weather in each state and allow the snow to melt in the Sierras before we tackle the 13,000 foot passes.

Our backpacks weigh too damn much but the most we could eliminate yesterday as we prepared to leave was a total of two pounds between us. When we actually get on the trail, we'll add several pounds more when we fill our water reservoirs.

We'll arrive in San Diego in the middle of the night (1:50am) tomorrow, will spend a couple of days there, then head for the trailhead to begin this mammoth trek on Michele's (my daughter) birthday, April 22. (Happy Birthday Michele!) We'll hike about 650 miles (as far as the foot of the Sierras), then hop back on the train and take it from Bakersfield to Ashland where we'll begin our trek through Oregon and Washington. From the Wa-Canada border, we'll train travel back to Bakersfield and complete our journey thru the mighty Sierras.

Here are some sights from the train:













Mike and Jan