Frolicking Fool

I enjoy hiking fast. It feels good to move fluidly over the terrain. Pushing yourself physically is a good way to break up the monotony of walking thousands of miles. The other day I was hiking fast up the trail, lungs pumping, heart thumping and legs striding. Rhythmic crunching from the dirt and rocks of the trail under my shoes creating a steady beat of forward movement. Suddenly, I came upon an older hiker sitting on a rock. I said good morning. His only response was “speeding trains!” as he smiled and softly shook his head. I thought this was an appropriate comment. There were two hikers moving fast not far behind me. Behind them a couple more groups of hikers were quickly moving up the trail toward our location. I thought of hikers following one after the other, huffing and puffing like chugging trains. I saw it from the perspective of a stationary point on the side of the trail. We are just a series of human trains, hustling to Canada.

Over the last few weeks, the trail has changed from desert to mountains and back again. The hikers have changed as everyone learns and adapts. Groups merge and disperse. Our group of three lost a member and then gained a new one.

We passed through a few towns along the way. In Cabazon, a mass of hikers convened at the In-N-Out for a feast and then migrated to a casino restaurant to celebrate two birthdays.

As we climbed from desert to mountains on the way to Big Bear, our triad merged with a squad of seven. We stayed in town at a house with a “teddy bear ghost town” theme. It brought out some nostalgic fun, like being a kid again.

Descending back down to the desert, we went through Cajon Pass and took on a McDonald’s challenge (don’t ask). Then we climbed back up into mountains.

A couple days later we arrived in Wrightwood bright and early, thanks to a ride from a kind person at the trailhead. Hiker hangout at the hardware store and town food. Then I took off solo for Agua Dulce. This was my first time alone on the PCT.

The day after leaving Wrightwood, I climbed through some snow to the top of Mt. Baden-Powell (9,406’), named after the founder of Scouting.

I wanted to get ahead of my group so I could jump off to see some good friends in LA. I did 82 miles in 3 days to get to Agua Dulce a couple days before the group would arrive.

A fast, fun 4 days in LA with good people and then I was back on trail with a group of 11 hikers.

A plant called Poodle Dog Bush that produces a skin irritant has been rampant on the trail and avoiding it becomes a puzzle at times. A few days of hiking in the high desert dodging this plant and then we arrived at Hikertown.

The next section was a notorious 20 mile stretch along the LA aqueduct with no shade and little water. We woke up at 330am and by 4 we were on our way. A barren stretch of trail that was mostly flat. It provided a good section to go fast and in no time we were at a creek in the shade. We had been blessed with a very mild day. The afternoon was pleasant as we walked through a wind farm with a nice cool breeze. I would end up walking 31 miles over the day.

We passed the 300, 400 and then 500 mile marks. With distance comes overuse and injuries. Tendinitis is a common ailment for thru hikers and a few in our group are suffering from it. The best thing you can do for it is rest but that is hard when you’re thru hiking. After LA, my ankles had received the rest they needed and were mostly back to normal. They had been swollen and stiff for a majority of the first three weeks. There is always a break in period but now I have my trail legs.

Currently, we are in Tehachapi. The group, now numbering 8, is resting, recovering and planning for the challenges ahead. The Sierra, with all its unknowns, lies within one week’s walk. We are reaching the end of the desert and will soon be immersed in snow and surrounded by mountains of the iconic Sierra Nevada. A place that has inspired adventurers, environmentalists and artists. Names like John Muir and Ansel Adams and the wilderness areas named after them. Locations like Mt. Whitney, Kings Canyon, Sequia and Yosemite National Parks. Ahead is adversity and adventure. I’m looking forward to the challenge and experience. I’m happy to be headed there with a good group of people. Our speeding train departs soon for Kennedy Meadows South.