I wake up curled into a ball on the couch later than normal in a cozy cabin in Idyllwild. Temperature a perfect 65 degrees, Wolf booked the cabin so they got the bedroom, Seven took the floor. Today my package says delivery is guaranteed between 11:00AM- 2PM. I leave the cabin promptly at 10:30AM to get to Paradise Valley Cafe again to get my package. Today I remain positive for UPS.
We get to Paradise Valley Cafe, sit in the exact same seats as we did a few days before and Seven orders a milk shake to start. I say that would wreck my stomach before the 12 miles of uphill to Cedar Spring and Saddle Junction. But hey more power to ya. Hydrate!
After hanging for a little bit UPS arrives and we walk towards the entrance to start checking to see if our packages were already there. They weren’t, then we metaphorically jump the UPS guy at the door and he hits us with “there’s only 1 package on the truck today” line. I follow him out and ask him to check his truck again and surprise surprise there was two MORE packages on the truck. Those packages were Wolfs and mine. Nice!
I immediately ripped open that box and got my new shoes, ice axe, microspikes a new hat and a bunch of random snacks that my dad decided to throw in at the last minute. Also a dozen candles? Why dad?
This is always a blessing and a curse because yes you have new and more stuff, new food you miss, but now you’re carrying more weight. A lot more weight.
After Wolf and I get our new gear situated, we jump in the car and go head to the trailhead, I got shotgun today. As we exit civilization and get back into the woods we start to climb exactly what we came down yesterday. it’s brutally up, as we get to the junction we split at yesterday the real trail miles begin, we are back on the PCT. Seven leading the pack, he says “I’m stopping every hour for a break, and in 6 miles a good lunch.” Sure bud I’m not fighting that.
As we get above 7,000 feet the snows back, this is the first section that is actually a little sketchy. Definitely no fall zones and we’re still climbing. A few points we hit sections we don’t even see a trail, Seven swaps and takes second position and Wolf takes lead.
Another miles or so and I’m sucking wind. The altitude, the uphill and the heavy bag. Heart rate 144BPM. My feet now feel wet, my blisters don’t hurt, but I know they’ll be cold in a few hours. As I continue hiking, in my head I say to stay focused on each step and keep moving forward.
Another mile goes by, and then two, and then three of just relentless post holeing and back and forth climbs. Wolf decides to jump into third slot, they don’t want us behind them pressuring their pace. I fully get that, we’re in a no fuck up zone and no one needs any added stress. I turn my headphones off and toss on airplane mode. Sorry sis I can’t text right now.
I tell Wolf since my feet are bigger than theirs, let me get lead spot and they can jump into my post holes,
I’ll boot pack it for ya bud. I got you.
Finally we pass the snow fields and get back on a ridge line. Couple more miles of smooth sailing up and down along that ridge and we see a nice few spots to pitch our tents. We pitch and then gather around for dinner, I hang my socks up to hopefully dry out, and dig some snow to melt for water. I took 2.5 liters with me and have none left after dinner. Over night I hope to melt some snow in my CNOC bag and I’ll filter it in the AM. Tonight I’ll literally cuddle a bag of snow.
Before heading to bed Wolf and I sit on some rocks and talk. Wolf asks me what’s on my mind? I tell Wolf secrets about how I never really felt fulfilled being an engineer, manager, director, corporate sell out etc, and how leaving that bullshit behind and the big money behind with it people thought I was fucking crazy. But money didn’t make me happy, pretending I was someone else every day didn’t do it for me either, and the past few weeks being houseless, with people totally different than I, but in other ways totally the same, it’s weirdly the happiest I’ve ever been.
Wolf slips a 5th of Whiskey out of their pocket and offers some my way while we enjoy some cali green I rolled up while talking. We call for Seven to join and he says “no, F off.” He’s watching Peeky Blinders in this tent. More sunset for us. I’m more of a sunrise guy but I never miss a sunset.
After one of the best sunsets of the trail so far I retire to my tent for the night. I stretch, put on fresh socks, brush my teeth and put on my sleep clothes. In typical Mouse fashion I rustle around for about an hour patching holes in my gear. Tonight’s it’s my Patagonia jacket, and tonight’s also a short night, tomorrow we will wake up at 4AM sharp to beat the sun rising and melting the snow.
We hear tomorrow’s sections worse than today and we want to make sure our microspikes have traction on the hard snow. If im honest, I am nervous about these next two days but I also feel good going at it early so we are fresh in the day to see it through. With good firm underneath I’m confident in my ability to get through.
The Pacific Crest Trail 