New Valley Hills

The struggle is real! As are the rewards.

Currently resting up in Wrightwood after some challenging hiking – 30C heat, longest day so far 24 miles, and highest altitude gain in one day 5500ft, all on consecutive days.

Solo hiking is suiting me, I keep meeting new peeps and bump into old friends as we leap-frog along. I bumped into Daniela and Joan Collins and we began soothing our differences, though not by hiking together!

Tomorrow is last mountain range of 5 days before 200 miles of high hot desert.

Good thing I had some RnR at a hot spring a few days back.

I arrived in Wrightwood with no water, no food and no phone charge or power bank juice. ‘The trail provides’ as they say – I bumped into Kitkat from Japan (he likes them!) who guarded my backpack while I charged my phone at a nice shop, a shout out on the town Facebook PCT group brought 3 offers of accommodation! Selecting one I was picked up 5 minutes later and whisked to Liz’s home. A PCT alumni from 2015 she now hosts hikers in her granny flat now she is retired. Bed, shower, laundry, home cooked food and good conversation.

She ask for donations- I slipped a hefty $80 into her donation box as a heartfelt thank you.

I’m shedding carried weight by posting off gear I’m not using. So far over 7 pounds of crud has been ejected (what was I thinking packing all that crap?!).

What’s a bear can you ask? A device to keep critters from your food. They can smell the grub but not get to it – pop it outside your tent overnight and you’ll not be surprised by a varmint hole in the morning.

I’ve done 363 miles. Any schedule has gone out the window. It’s now more fun trundling along enjoying the views, the people and the experience.

And the food!

Next update in a week or so when I hit the next town.