Just checked the account balance. Not as bad as I thought it might be. Made a lot of stops in S. California and spent more than planned but it looks like it will balance out. Stops heading north are much fewer and further apart.
That of course means showers and laundry are also fewer and further apart. And pack weight, food, much heavier going forward. Just loaded up 7 days worth of grub and it is heavy.
Going to take a zero day here in Mojave. Believe it or not it is cold, windy and looks like rain.
Not an ideal place but I am here so I guess I'll stay a day.
Just ordered a lens magnifier and a lightweight 72 inch tripod from Big Mikes. Pretty cheap but worth a chance they will help me get the shots I'm missing.
Just reviewed some of the manual pan shots. They're ok for YouTube but that's about it.
This wind farm RAM from the trail the whole 11 miles to the town of Mojave.
The wind already nocked the power out once and is fierce to say the least. Maybe even worse than yesterday.
Just hiked through some serious wind. Blown off trail several times. Hoping these rocks will provide some protection tonight but wind is blowing hard.
My first attempt to camp in the wind farm was blown away so I packed up and fought my way three more miles to the water source at mile 541.
Got Fun Size, Cuddles and the Japanese kid in camp. One day I will learn to say and spell his trail name but today is not the day.
At least we are by a water source.
And man is it windy out here. I'm sitting under a bush by a gully. Seems to be a natural wind break. Going to camp here.
Hostel for the evening. In Mojave now or at least the beginning. Flat and windy but not hot. Looks like we have a cold front moving in so crossing the desert shouldn't be bad.
Second guy from the left, "Five dollars anything you want!"
Good laugh since we are all starting to look like homeless crack addicts!
A bit blurry but was getting dark. Trail Angels place. Terry Anderson put out a great spread for about sixty hikers. All volunteer.
Gonna zero here tomorrow so can video Cuddles play the cello tomorrow. Apparently a top notch talent and a Damn good hiker.
That's right ladies, the Gator is getting in shape. I'm guessing about 205 lbs at this time. Down from 225 at the start.
Ran into some beautiful Wildflowers when the trail wasn't overwhelmed with Poodle-dog bush.
Been seeing this red plant popping up every so often. Can't figure out what it grows into.
Been seeing this red plant popping up every so often. Can't figure out what it grows into.
Some bad Mojo! Toxic plant that according to the PCT site sent many trail workers and thru hikers to the hospital in past year.
Trail is covered with this to varying degrees from mile 404 thru 436. Some parts completely overgrown with it.
It has a pungent smell like stale beer or marijuana. I like to describe it as the sickly sweet smell of death!
A rough and stressful couple days getting through it.
Going to take a zero day(no hiking) here in Cajon Pass. Not the most happening place but I need to ice and stretch out this shin Splint.
Swelling is down a bit but still have a bump, sore and stiff. Have to do my best to make sure this doesn't deteriorate. Far to many miles to go with a wear and tear injury.
Apparently we are in the midst of a heat wave. Should break tomorrow.
Grabbed a room at the quality Inn and icing a growing Shin Splint.
It was in the 90's at 7:20am with no breeze. Pulled a 25 miler yesterday and 14 today. Feeling it for sure.
