Day 5 – 27 Mar 19. Easy Miles

26.4 km (16.2 mi), Total Distance 105.7 km (65.7 mi). 7 hours 55 minutes 0815-1600)

The wind increased in the early hours of the morning but my tent held up fine. I am glad that I put the rocks over the pegs last night though. I fund out later that Magic (formerly Curtis) had his tent blow down at 0200 and he had to move position before putting it up again.

It was much warmer last night barely dropping below 10 degrees C. I heard someone walk past really early but went back to sleep and woke up properly at 0700.

Just as I was putting my tent away Sam and Travis Passed me. I left less than 10 minutes later.

It was really cold with the sun behind the clouds and a chilly wind so I had my wind jacket and after 10 minutes put my gloves on.

Looking at the map it did not look to be an interesting day, just winding through the hills and along the side of a hill but it turned out to be a better day than I expected.
There was only slight changes in gradient and the track was in good condition. I was in a good zone just cruising along, not pushing the pace but still covering good ground. I had decided not to look at the map today until at least lunch so I was not monitoring my speed or miles covered.

My body was feeling good. The blister on my middle toe was slightly infected but not sore and the little blisters on my big toe seemed to be healing. My knees were a little achy to start but warmed up well. All though the day my left shin was making itself felt gently but went away each time after doing some stretches.

Shrub Jay

First sighting of snow

I didn’t see anyone until I came out at a carpark and the track joined the Pioneer Trail. I filled up some water at the horse trough and headed up the wide dirt trail.

At the top of a sort hill and around the corner I found Sam and Travis taking photos of the amazing view. We were really high and there was a steep drop-off. I took some photos as well then followed the two.

Their pace was slightly faster than mine and I dropped back but caught them as they stopped for more photos.

There was a great spot next to one of the neat plants that another guy who was there told us were called Centaury Plants as they flower just once a century. Subsequently I have found out they are actually called Yucca plants.

Now I dropped back and the two boys soon disappeared into the distance.

The trail went through a neat area with different shaped rocks and I watched two birds gliding in the wind.

Just after 1100 I was starting to catch up to a lady and caught her as she stopped to talk to someone resting on the ground which turned out to be Magic. I sat for a break and had a quick chat. He was asking me about how I was getting to Julian but we were thinking different exit points. He was looking at the exit on Sunrise Highway in 1 Mile and I was planning to exit at Scissors Crossing in over 20 miles, which means a shorter leg to get to the next resupply point.

I carried on and passed at least 6 people at a little stream. From then on there were heaps of people on the trail. I was passing most of them, despite seeming like I was going slow. However I had the advantage of a much smaller and lighter pack.

At another stream I met Beth and Garry. It was Beth’s first thru hike but Garry had done the Appalachian Trail and had the trail name 60 cents. Shortly later I passed Cardinal, a very friendly and cheerful guy. Next was Jay from Canada. I had just been thinking how few international people there had been on the trail so far. There were another 3 hikers I Passed one by one which I did not get their names.

Just before 1300 I was thinking about stopping for lunch and came around a corner to see Sam and Travis. I stopped, took off my shoes and made lunch. I made 3 tortilla but could only eat two. Cardinal turned up and I offered him the other which he gladly accepted. He then offered me some dehydrated apples and a dehydrated orange which I had never had before but really liked. He had done a lot of food preparation with his dehydrator and sounded like he was pretty handy in the kitchen.

Dirty legs and toes

I was starting to get cold so I carried on. After 30 minutes I suddenly thought I should check where the 100km mark was and found out it was only 1.5 km to go. When I got there I took my normal Thru Hike 100km photo. On this trail I will be doing a photo every 100 km and every 100 mile.

100km complete

After crossing a dirt road there was a big downhill of over 250 vertical meters and it was surprisingly steep for PCT. As I was heading down I could look across the valley at the track that went on the opposite side and it looked like a short steep bit on a dirt road then gentle sidle up the side of a mountain.

At the bottom I saw Andrew and some other guy smoking Marijuana. It is legal in all 3 states the PCT covers and it is prevalent on the trail.

I decided that I would continue and get to the top of the hill and find a camp site.
The steep bit was shorter than I expected and the trail was at a nice angle.

Not long after going back to single track there was a beautiful flower. There were also some cute tiny flowers and a new type of cactus.

Yucca Plant

When I reached the top of the hill there was one possible tent site but it was windy so I carried on. I went a bit further and then at a dry stream I saw some others disappearing into the scrub and I followed.

There was just enough room for all of us to set up our tents. I was in one clearing with Beth and Jerry and in the other clearing was another Jerry and Len.

I was set up completely with mattress inflated, gear laid out and starting my wash while the others had just started with their fly. Experience definitely helps with speed of set up, as well as having a much simpler tent.

I had miscalculated my water and had less than a litre, which was enough for night and tomorrow but not comfortably so. Then Jerry said there was no water between here and Scissors Crossing. Jerry had 4 litres so offered to give me some to lighten his load and I gratefully accepted half a litre.

We relaxed before having dinner. Once again Instant Potatoe and Tuna followed up by nuts and Skittles.

Just after dinner we could hear the sound of a pack of Coyotes singing in the valley below which was a great way to end a great day.

Views: 933