Monday, May 18, 2009

Tough Days


May 17

We have had a few tough days ever since mile 78 at Scissors Crossing. From Scissors we had a LONG afternoon hike up a 13 mile sun exposed mountain that also happened to have no water.

That afternoon we met our first two hikets who we have spent some time with. During our ciesta we got to know George from Georgia and Michael from New Zealand, who we named Heaps. We camped with those two, Sean, who is now known as Aquaman, and Todd who is on his second PCT Thru- hike.

The next day we all went into Warner Springs, our first trail town and resupply point. On our way in we experienced our first desert field walk an the way to and from Eagle Rock. It is just plain hot in the sun, and when you're walking through the sand or fields you can feel the heat rising.

In Warner Springs Todd got a room and let Anna and I take showers. Little did we know we would be coming back and splitting a room with the 3 other guys, when we found out town security would not let us camp just on the outskirts of town. So we split the room and took advantage of their hot spring fed pool and breakfast buffet.

Anna and I have developed extensive blistering on our pinky toes and Anna on the pads of her feet, so we think we are going to take a day or more off in the next town to drain them and possibly switch shoes.

Well right now we are huddled under a bush to escape the sun, but we are losing our shade, so we have to be on our way... If I never saw sun and sand together again that would be just fine.

3 comments:

Kathy said...

I have only experienced sun and sand at a beach, and can't imagine being surrounded by it! That must be such an interesting and challenging environment. I hope you are seeing lots of cool plants and bugs and other little creatures. How is the trail marked if it is all sand? Or is it pretty easy to tell where the trail is..?

Unknown said...

What do you mean you don't like hiking in the desert!? Haha, it's an acquired taste. Toesocks might help your feetsies. Keep up the big miles!

Unknown said...

Hi from Granddad, read your most recent Blog and was really interested in your comment. From my own experience I found that on a hike I alway carried plain medical adhesive tape and I put a strip on the budding or mature blisters to keep on going.

We are at Linda's son Mark's apartment he as rented on Key Biscayne for three days while also visiting Peter Stancioff, the architect of the beach house at 58 Henlopen in Rehoboth. We go home Sunday. Good luck and love!