Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Food + Water = Heavy Pack

Spent last night on the property of these wonderful people, Jeff and Donna Saufley.
For 19 years they've offered a place to pitch your tent, shower and laundry. They believe that if you treat people with respect, they will do the same to you, and in all those years they've had very few problems with rowdy hikers.
We got back out in the trail with a full load of food and water. We knew there was no water for 24 miles so we were carrying about 10-12 pounds of food and water.  It was tough. And pretty darn hot. Even with all that water, I felt like I had to ration a little. It's not a good feeling when you want to guzzle, but can only sip. 
You can see so far back to where you've been on these mountains.
So, now that we are through many of the tougher parts of the dessert, I can talk about some of the more precarious parts without freaking any one out. On many of the taller spots, (San Jacinto, Deep Creek and Mount Baden Bowell) the trail is basically a small path carved into the side of a steep slope. It's hard to photograph, but it's slipping/tripping on these sections...would not end well. An example...
This is not a trail for those with fear of heights. 
We are heading in to some really stereotypical dessert sections soon. 468 miles down. I will be taking a week off in May to go home for Kelly's graduation, and then will be heading in to the Sierras. Yeeha!




5 comments:

  1. Congrats to Kelly! Will you rejoin your friends and miss part of the trail or go on alone?

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    1. They will go on for a few days and then are taking time off with Murphys cousins. I'll get back on where I left off and hike alone for a few day

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    2. Until I catch up to them

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  2. Just had to tell you that when I read your post to Bill about the Oreo's ....he was almost out the door before I finished the paragraph! I'm not kidding. Tires screeching out the garage and driveway! And yes~ yes they are...Amazing! Thanks for the calories! ;) Be safe

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    1. Hahaha. Which ones did he try? Birthday Cake or honey bun. Both are superb :)

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