Day 44 – 5 May 19. Water Rationing in the Heat
I slept really well last night, still waking every time I turned over but it seemed less than normal. I woke later than usual to but was ready quickly.
50 meters down the trail Logan was just about ready to leave. Cruise Control had already gone. It was a lovely trail gently undulating through the pines and small rocky areas, firstly beside the stream, then above it. I had been forcing water down as we went to prepare for the dry stretch. The Road junction seemed to come very quickly. Cruise Control was waiting there.
We all headed off trail the 0.3 miles down the road to a spring to fill up with the maximum we could. From here there was a potential 42.2 mile (67 km) stretch without water. There was a likely cache in 7 miles (11 km) and another one a further 15 miles (24 km) on which may have water, or may not. I had to prepare for them not having water and carry all I could. As it was still early in the season there should be another water source another 13 miles (20 km) on. Even if the caches had water it was still long stretches between water, especially as we would have to conserve water in case there was nothing at the caches.
I left first and it was a great track, gently undulating through the pines and then into a more open rocky area before heading along the side of a hill and then a long downhill.
Everywhere had amazing views and I was really enjoying it. The three of us swapped places as we stopped for breaks at different times. The other two were feeling in awe of the scenery as well.
Part way through the downhill we left the trees and it was now open terrain with small shrubs all the way to the road where to our relief was a big cache with lots of water.
I had only drunk a few hundred ml so did not need to refill much but I did take my time and drink 1.5 l while I was there to try and have my body hydrated for the next section of 15 miles (24 km).
From the cache we could see the big hill we needed to climb. I let the other two get a bit ahead of me so I would not be influenced by them with my speed. I needed to get the balance right of not too fast to make me sweat or get tired, but fast enough that I was not out too long without water. I also had to balance my water intake, enough to not get dehydrated, but not enough to run out before the next confirmed water source. That meant no more than approx. 1.5 litres for the next 15 miles (24 km).
First we went around the side of a hill then dropped to the valley bottom before following along the side of the valley.
From a road junction the climb started. Thankfully it was an ok gradient and I was able to keep my momentum going up the hill, less the two toilet breaks from guzzling so much water. I had a strange pain on the outside top of my shin just below my knee. It was a new place. I stopped and stretched a few times and it went away as I was near the top. It is unusual to get shin pain climbing, this is usually on downhill’s or flats when I am going too fast.
Even with the nice gradient it took a long time to complete the climb. It was made harder because some of the path was sand so it was hard to get good traction to climb.
Just as I thought I was getting near to the top an even bigger hill appeared behind the one I was climbing. Finally I reached the top of the hill and saw I had to drop down then climb the big hill behind, though thankfully not all the way to the top.
At the bottom I stopped and had lunch, taking my time and enjoying the rest. I managed to eat a little more than usual though still forcing myself to eat. Despite that one day of false alarm still no hiker hunger.
The climb up wasn’t too bad and then it was along the side of a steep hill with great views out to my left. I passed the two guys as they were having lunch in a tiny patch of shade.
The trail remained on the side of the hill until reaching a saddle and then climbed up the side of another hill, over a saddle and climbed some more. I now had the great views on the other side of the hill. I was feeling fine and seemed to be managing my water OK. I felt the first stages of cramp so at my next break I added some electrolyte and drank a little more which seemed to do the trick.
Once at the top of this hill there was now a big downhill and the next big hill to climb was intimidatingly clear. Thankfully there were nice views of the flat desert below to distract me from this ominous sight. I had another break at the bottom before starting the next big climb.
It was not quite as big as the one after the cache but was a steeper gradient and the trail was very sandy making it hard to make progress. I slogged up the hill and was very glad to reach the top. It had been a hot climb and I was sweating, despite my best intentions. Thankfully I was now only 4 miles from the potential cache.
The trail went along a ridge and just before dropping to a saddle I managed to find a place to sit under the only tree on the entire hill. I tried my phone and to my surprise despite only having one bar of reception I had 4G internet. My watch strap broke last night and was being held together with duct tape so I was keen to order a new one and managed to get this done. It should be waiting for me in Kennedy Meadows when I arrive. I hope it is the right one. I purchased my watch in 2007 and it is now several models out of date so I could only go on the picture to guess which one to get. The Casio ProTrek has a strange strap but the picture looked the same. I guess I will see.
Logan caught up as I was resting but let me go ahead. I am glad he did as I had left my toilet paper bag behind, the first time I have left anything by accident. On trail all used toilet paper is carried out to prevent the trail becoming messy. Because it is so dry the toilet paper takes a long time to degrade so burying it is not recommended. I have a nice thick bag which is perfect for this use and is hard to find. Logan called out to me and had picked up my bag and brought it to me 5 minutes down the trail.
I got ahead again and on a switchback Logan called down that I had just about stood on a rattlesnake. I hadn’t heard it or seen it. I wonder how often this happens on trail.
From the saddle the trail climbed the side of a steep hill and then began the final descent, on the side of a steep hill to a road and then below the road for the final 0.8 mile to the carpark.
I could see the waterbottles from a distance but could not see if they were full. I noticed a car there with seats and the frame of a tent. I assumed it was people camping before going on trail and called out “hi” as I headed to the water. They called me back and said they were doing trail magic. They told me to sit and then explained all the food and drink available. George then offered to make me a cheese and egg toastie and it was so good. I had a soft drink (soda), strawberries, orange, hard boiled egg another toastie some ships and another soft drink (soda).
Logan and Cruise Control had arrived by now and were both in a state of shock like me at the amazing trail magic. Cruise Control said today was the toughest he had had on trail and Logan agreed. I think the heat affected them a bit more than me.
Trail Magic
George and Corban – Trail Angels
The trail magic was provided by George and his son Corban. They had driven 10 hours from near Salt Lake City in Utah to do this. They had arrived on Friday and were leaving tomorrow morning (Monday). They had done their research and had picked a brilliant spot as no one ever did trail magic there and it was at the end of a very hard day with water restrictions and big hills and three to four days away from the last town. We all thanked them and told them how amazing it was what they had done.
The hiker I saw getting into a car the day I did the 8 mile section near Tehachapi arrived. He had gone off trail at a friends cabin and had also accidentally gone of trail for a short time later on. 15 minutes later Billy Goat also arrived.
I set up my tent in the most sheltered spot I could find. It was really windy here and I was in my windproof pants and jacket and then also needed my down jacket to keep warm.
I went back up and had another orange and some boiled eggs. We watched the sun go down and then after helping George and Corban pack up we went to bed.
It had been a beautiful day and while I was a little tired by the end I was not sore at all which is great.
I tried drinking lots of water before bed, knowing I would pay for it by having to get up during the night. I is good to get fully hydrated again.
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