May 8. Connected to earth. That’s how I literally felt when a small earthquake woke me at 4.50am. It just lasted a few seconds. Sleeping on the ground, it felt close. Not threatening.
Trail
We all got up a bit earlier and left the tentsite at 6.30am. Aiming to be in Big Bear for late breakfast, I was pushing it with the motto of the day: 10 miles before 10am.
He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.
– Friedrich Nietzsche
Trail in the morning lightTwo lizards
Coming to the interstate 18 crossing at 10am, there was another surprise… Trail magic… Cold soft drinks and Twizzlers!
Trail magic coming to Big Bear
We got really lucky with hitchhiking into town. The first (!!) car stopped, a nice lady took us right into town. Some late breakfast, some resupply shopping at Vons…
Time at the pool
Will enjoy the evening in town with more food, some beers and one night in a bed!
May 7. Started a bit earlier – on trail at 6.30am. My daily planning mainly follows the daily updated water report. For today, this meant either 15 miles or 21 for wet (nearby water) camping. We had about 2000 feet altitude gain ahead of us – and I had not been feeling too well the last two days. Good thing on the trail – don’t worry now about things that don’t matter right now. So I started hiking without knowing whether I will do a 20+ miles day or stay with a moderate 15 miles.
Walking through burnt forest
The day turned out beautifully! The altitude and the trees – the heat from the last two days was gone!
May 6. Woke around 6am, many tents were already gone. Hikers were anticipating another hot day. I left short after 7am with Johanna and Cactass already on trail.
John Muir – I only went out for a walkMy second rattlesnake – click for video
Had done short breaks but pushed on through the heat until short after 1pm for my long siesta and lunch to wait out the main heat at mile 230.5. That was good… 12 miles done, maybe 6-8 more after the break. But I was very exhausted.
Following a dry riverbed
Made it to the creek side camp at mile 235 just around 7pm.
Another tough day. I was glad about the altitude gained and hoped for cooler days. Still suffering from a cold.
I only went out for a walk,
and finally concluded
to stay out till sundown,
for going out I found
was really going in.
– John Muir
Here I am in Cabazon, a few miles off trail from mile 209 of the Pacific Crest Trail. 15 days on trail – time for my weekly recap.
200 miles marker
Body
Doing good with feet and legs. I feel like a caught a small cold during the cold days with snow in Idyllwild. In general – the temperature changes the last days were extreme. Two days ago, it was about freezing temperature when camping at 8500 feet altitude. Today in Cabazon, it’s 35 degree Celsius/95 Fahrenheit.
Looking at the average daily miles, it looks like I am below 15, resulting from the unplanned stop in Idyllwild waiting out the snow. Yesterday was my first 20+ miles/32 km day, so more is possible.
Soul
The second week was tougher than the first. Taking the extra break due to weather… I felt a bit guilty. Suddenly it felt more like a vacation than hiking the PCT. Maybe hiking the PCT should feel like vacation? 😂
We were sharing a cabin in Idyllwild with 4-8 hikers. Felt like living at student dorm – cooking together, music, movies. That was a good time.
Family dinner 😂
On the days that I was hiking, I actually found a bit more time for myself.
Blogging in the mountains
The hiker bubble around me keeps changing. Meeting a nice couple from Switzerland. Some hikers tracked back to walk the fire closure detour around Idyllwild that I skipped due to the snow. Several took longer breaks to heal their injuries. Again many kind people along trail. Thank you especially to Addison’s mom! I am still working on accepting all that kindness and letting go.
On top of Mt San Jacinto – 10800 feetMy first rattlesnake at mile 197
Gear
Still room for improvement. With the cold days in Idyllwild, I got a wind/rain jacket from Patagonia with just 100gram weight – Houdini. I love it. Another change was a sleeping pad. Since my NeoAir pad kept loosing air, I changed to a super durable foam pad ZLite Sol. It’s great for breaks during the day… And no more blowing up the pad at night time. Sleeping comfort is ok, I sleep on my back most of the time. The NeoAir is at Cascade Designs for repair. I expect it back before I hit the Sierra probably mid of June.
Trail
Wow. I didn’t expect so much different landscapes in the South Californian desert section. The snow in Idyllwild… The climb on Mt San Jacinto. That felt like the Sierra already. It is really beautiful out here. I am curious about the next section to Big Bear and beyond.
What did I learn so far?
Respect the weather.
Water is precious.
Take it slow. Don’t get injured.
You need less than you think. No, even less than that. 😉
It’s okay to enjoy some time off.
What’s next?
In about three days, I should have completed about 265 miles and with that 10 percent of the trail. I try to worry less – less about challenges of the future, more focused about today and maybe tomorrow’s next water stop.
Even with a perfect plan, there will always be something that you can’t control.
What a beautiful warm night! Woke up around 6am, skipped breakfast. Ready to walk at 6.30am. Cactass and Addison still asleep, Johanna started walking towards the highway. I followed about 30 min later.
Since we were supposed to meet Addison’s mom at 8 am at the interstate, I was pushing and enjoying the flat terrain.
Walking among giants
At the interstate underpass amazing trail magic. Fresh fruits, cool drinks, Cliff bars, cookies…. But I had missed Addison’s call.
His mom had come with a friend with two cars, one car was full with hikers already on its way to the Cabazon Starbucks, I was the last one missing for the second car. Addison, thanks for finding me!
Addison picked me up, drove to the Cabazon Starbucks. We occupied with 6-7 hikers the power outlets and enjoyed ice coffee. We moved over for lunch to Ruby’s. I was tempted to go with a nice big breakfast with French toast, but took the healthy choice – a huge salad with chicken breast.
After the food, we drove on to a Big 5 outdoor shop some miles away. Some of us completed or adjusted their gear. Back to Starbucks. We spend several hours charging and on WiFi. We started hiking again at mile 210 around 4pm where we had been picked up. It was so hot… Upper 90 F/ Mid 30 Celsius and no shade.
Steep ascend going up through the wind park.
Nice views. Good walking as it got colder around 5-6pm.
Arrived at 8pm at the White water preserve. Darkness was coming, needed my headlamp to find the area for hikers to pitch my tent. Had a quick dinner. Just saw Cactass and Johanna arriving around 9pm as I went asleep.
Warm night, no need for the sleeping bag…
That was some tough hiking for me in the heat – just 12 miles. I need to try other hiking hours… The heat in the afternoon was really bad.
The world is big 