I waited until the rain stopped before leaving camp so got out around 10 am. I wasn't to worried as I only had a short 12 mile day ahead of me before I would hitch back to lake morena for the ADZPCTKO (annual day zero pct kickoff). The whole day the wind was crazy, with bursts of cold rain like what I am used to when doing fieldwork in the southern alps back home. This made brushing my teeth an interesting experience as I have now learned the same rules for "pissing into the wind" apply to "spitting out toothpaste into the wind" The rain soon washed my rabid dog appearance and I made good miles in the cold weather. I walked past Kurt and jen, an American couple I met on day 1 and as I do with every southbound hiker, forced them to chat. They told me I was going the wrong way (good dad joke), and actually had me for a minute as all of the ridges and valleys I would usually navigate by we're covered in cloud. They got dropped off down the road and were hiking back to the store for a short day, so i talked them into coming to the kickoff as I explained it was a right of passage for pct hikers to experience it.
On the last 5 miles of the day the clouds parted and I had amazing views into rock faces graffitied with information about kevin (who apparently likes a certain part of the male anatomy) as well as amazing views into Mojave desert.
I scrambled up to the highway as soon as the trail came close to the road and stuck out my thumb for my first American hitch. While I was still locating myself on the map to explain where I wanted to go, a pickup pulled up and a guy called Randy gave me a ride to the main freeway. I only had to wait 2 minutes and he was the first car i saw on the road. Pretty good luck for a smelly hiker if you ask me. When I got to the freeway I only had to wait 5 minutes before the next car came and pulled over to take me to lake morena. It turned out the car had picked up the Germans Kristina and Louisa a mile or so up the road from where I was initially. I met the girls at scout and frodos, and had hiked with them for a bit on days 1 & 2. They had exclaimed to the driver that they knew me and made them pull over to pick me up! It definitely pays to have friends on this trail.
Dave I hope this works I had typed you a big epic letter whilst at the York enjoying a delicious hoegaarden. I appreciated the stories of the desert brown and snakes, hope to hear more! Any way must fly as I have work in the morn and there is this babe with dreeds that I am trying to impress. Look forward to talking soon, Chris
ReplyDeleteDave I hope this works I had typed you a big epic letter whilst at the York enjoying a delicious hoegaarden. I appreciated the stories of the desert brown and snakes, hope to hear more! Any way must fly as I have work in the morn and there is this babe with dreeds that I am trying to impress. Look forward to talking soon, Chris