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.
Here I am in Warner Springs, mile 109 of the Pacific Crest Trail. After a week hiking, meeting so many friendly people sharing the same passion and destination Canada, it is time for a recap.
Body
Doing surprisingly good. I kept my daily miles around 15, following the advice of some good friends (Hello EightKnots! 😁)! No blisters, knees are good.
Soul
I am happy with the decision to hike the PCT so far. I did not find much time for myself. I had a good morning waking up alone in the desert watching sunrise – I am hoping for more moments like that. I met so many kind people – other hikers (Rotem, Eric, Maddy, Johanna, Paulina, Colin, just to mention a few), trail angels (Carmen). Giving kindess, expecting nothing. I am just beginning to appreciate that and let go.
Gear
I started with a setup that was improved after two long distance hikes in 2016 and 2017. Still I had trouble letting go too many unnecessary things. Eric helped me to let go some if these things – but still potential left. I ordered a new tent – it will be 600gr instead of 1.7kg in my backpack. Let’s what will be next to go into a hiker box or be shipped to a friend. It is good to travel light.
Trail
The PCT, here the desert section, is much different than I thought it would be. More ups and downs, amazing views, more greens – but as little shade as I was afraid of. On some days, there are barely enough shady spots to take a break every 2h.
What did I learn so far?
Take it slow.
Trust people.
You need much less than you think.
It’s about the smiles, not the miles.
Life is good (especially with a chocolate bar).
What’s next?
Just about 25 times the miles I walked so far. And hopefully a lot more of what I just started to taste – trail life.
It’s your road and your road alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you.
Since about two months ago – end of January to be exact – my decision was clear. This is the year I will fullfil my dream and hike the PCT.
I had played with that idea since my John Muir Trail hike in 2016. I met many PCT hikers in that summer… And nearly all of them were amazing… Had inspiring stories to tell. I ended up hiking for several weeks with the nicest ones EightKnots, Waffle and SixStrings – and we still keep contact. EightKnots truly fell in love with the trail, so did SixStrings… They met by accident (!!!) again on the PCT in 2017 in an effort to complete their hike. Waffle fell in love not only with the trail but on the trail… Congratulations once again Waffle to the beautiful PCT baby!
I contemplated to hike the PCT in 2017 – at the end I was not brave enough to quit my job at that time. That was good. The trail conditions in 2017 were very difficult – lots of snow and wild fires… The PCT class of 2017 is the class of fire and ice.
So… 2018 is my year. I wish for an amazing experience like I had on the JMT… Just longer, more intense… Meeting nice people, having friendly chats, breathtaking views of the nature and wilderness, solitude once in a while…
In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks – John Muir
March 26th was my last day in the office. After working for a corporate for 12 years in various IT leadership positions, a lot of good memories and friendships made it not easy to leave. But I felt it is time to move on and fulfill a dream of a lifetime – to hike the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) from Mexico to Canada.
A few days before, I sent a good bye mail to the colleagues I had been working with. I received an overwhelming number of positive responses – felt like it was the right thing to do. Thank you to all those colleagues who sent me so kind words – both for the work together as well as respect and encouragement for the journey ahead!
I feel like I have already taken the biggest hurdle on my way to Canada – overcoming the fear to quit a good and well paying job just to fulfill a dream.
Now I am getting more excited every day… April 19th I fly out, on April 21st I will start the trail in Campo, CA at the Southern Terminus of the PCT.
After completing the trail in maximum 6 months (due to weather and visa restrictions), I am looking forward to new professional challenges.
The world is big 