Day 3 – 25 Mar 2019. Wet Feet, Long Lunch and great Views

21.1 km (13.1 mi), Total Distance 58.1 km (36.1 mi). 7 hours 30 minutes (0815-1545)

I had a restless night, probably because of the snoring and restless turning. People had always said the mattresses were noisy but as I had never slept near someone with one I had never experienced it. I also confirmed that I have a slow leak in my mattress. Last night I was confused why I was getting a little cold through the mattress and in the early hours of this morning I started to feel the stones under me. I gave it a few puffs and was comfortable again but will need to get it replaced. It is the same mattress I did my Norway thru hike with.

Curtis started his morning routine at 0700 and I lay there for a bit longer than decided to get up. I packed up, had breakfast, took down my tent and was on my way in under an hour. Not bad for day 2.

It was nice and cool when I started as we went around the side of a hill but as soon as I was clear of the hill the sun was out in force. I was feeling good with no aches or pains.

The trail dropped down a hill and under an overpass. Then there was a creek crossing which was too big to jump across so I jumped with one foot in the water and kept the other foot dry.

Now it was a flat bit through farmland. I was sitting under the shade of a tree having a break when a young female hiker approached. She was staring at the ground and I gave her a fright when I said good morning. I have noticed several hikers just look at the ground and not at the scenery around them while walking.

The trail turned a corner and some more flat to another stream crossing, this one even bigger. I was not going to bother taking my shoes off so I just walked through it, enjoying the cool water on my feet.

There was a helicopter buzzing around and it came really close with a basket underslung. I think it was part of the line maintenance crew.

Shortly after I arrived at the Boulder Oaks Campground. I filled my water at the tap near the toilets and had a quick chat to the girl who was at the campsite who was looking for the guy, not being sure if he was in front or behind,

I left her to her dilemma and continued to the track under the huge bridges for the I8 highway.

Now it was a steady uphill and my body seemed to want to register a protest at all the walking. Different parts of my body would make themselves felt before giving way to the next part of my body. This covered different parts of my feet, shins and knees. This continued for about 30 minutes then it seemed to give up and settled down.

At the top of the steep bit I was resting under the shade of a little bush and a family of day hikers arrived. They were very curious about my pack and what was in it as well as being curious about New Zealand. The older guy loved my accent. I think he was trying to make me say certain words just so he could hear the accent.

Now there was a long section on a lovely track going along the side of the hill. It climbed very slightly but barely noticeable. There was a river below and I was loving the steep valley and hills. As the track turned around the end of the hill the terrain became even more rugged and beautiful.

Now I dropped down to a stream where someone was filling water about 30 meters up river in the bush. I continued on to the road and after having a quick look at the map decided to backtrack 10 meters to the shade as there would be no more for a couple of miles.

The hiker passed me with a quick hello and then stared at the road looking very confused about which way to go. As I approached he hesitantly turned in the right direction. From the trail you have to turn right and walk 15 meters and the marker is on the other side

The next section from here was my favourite of the day. The trail wound around the side of a steep hill and there were lots of interesting rock formations. There was a good view across the valley where signs of civilisation were present.

This lasted nearly an hour before the trail dropped down to some trees and a stream. This stream is normally dry but we are lucky it is a wet year and the stream is still flowing well.

As I got into the trees there was a lovely grassy spot under one of the trees I took my pack off and walked to the stream to see if there was water. Coming back I saw a guy in another area so I grabbed my pack and joined him.

His name is Marble and he has had 3 attempts at the PCT and been thwarted each time for different reasons. He is determined this is his year. He was an interesting guy with a few good tips.

Like normal the first question was about other trails I had done and then we talked about gear. He was curious about my pack and when I said it was homemade had a good look.

I set up with my pack against a tree so I can lean on it with my bare feet slightly uphill airing out. My shoes and socks were nearly dry from the river crossing. I prepared a big lunch of three mini tortillas with garlic hummus, cheese and salami. I finished it off with honey coated almonds.

As I was eating an older couple arrived and introduced themselves as Hotlips and Caveman. They had section hiked PCT and finished last year. They were now on a training hike before heading to Europe to do Camino, Kingsladden and anther trail. Curtis and new girl briefly stopped but kept going.

After an hour I got 1 litre of water and left. Sitting by the stream was a guy I had seen a few times from a distance and a younger girl.

Now it was a steady uphill in the heat of the day.

I was making good progress when I saw Curtis and the new girl who I found out was Claire. I was just going to stop briefly but we got talking so I took off my pack and had a seat. I think we probably talked for 30 minutes. During the conversation I suggested the trail name of Magic Touch for Curtis and he seemed to like it. This name was because of how he fixed my Guthooks by touching my phone briefly.

Everyone from the lunch stop, and a couple, of others passed us as we were talking and we passed them back when we started again. Curtis was setting a good pace but on the uphills I was keeping up with Clare. She left me behind on the flats so it was like a yoyo for a while before she stopped for a break and I continued.

Keeping up with Clair and Curtis on the uphill

Left in their dust on the flats

I was planning to stop around the 35 mile mark but there were no camping spots so I went to the campsite at mile 36.

Not sure what it is called but love it.

There was a clearing on the left that was not very flat and then I spotted another clearing on the other side of the track which was much flatter. I set up and relaxed.

Unfortunately I have a new blister, though it is tiny, and the other blister on my toe had liquid again. None of them hurt at all.

Dinner was Mashed potatoes and a hot electrolyte. It was colder dropping to 15 degrees Celsius by 1800.

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