I woke up early, and since I hadn’t exactly camped in a designated spot, I tried to pack up and bail quickly so nobody would notice. The night was surprisingly warm, which I wasn’t expecting, and I didn’t freeze. But morning brought a deflated sleeping pad. I don’t know if it was just the cooler air or if it has a leak. No time to fuss over little things like that.
The Climb in the Heat and Low Water
By nine AM, it was already 29°C (84°F), and water was once again a major headache. There was only one water stop planned for the entire day.
Today’s hike was a relentless series of climbs, and when you add five liters of water to that, it was seriously draining. The trails were often rocky and tough going. By 2 PM, the temperature hit 38°C (100°F). I stopped a lot today – I just didn’t have the energy. Maybe it’s also because I haven’t really eaten properly for two days.
Through the Land of Wind Turbines
Today, I trekked through an area packed with wind turbines. In the end, I decided to take a gamble and push to the end of today’s route at Highway 58. There, I hoped someone would be around to give me a ride into Tehachapi for a place to stay and figure out what’s next.
I was wiped out, my right Achilles was swollen, and my feet were shredded. I needed a shower, not to mention clean clothes. But would anyone even stop for me?
Facebook Luck and Cheryl’s Help
I tried posting on a Facebook page, begging for a pickup. And I got incredibly lucky! I managed to arrange a ride using a translator.
Around 9 PM, after a bit of searching, an older lady named Cheryl picked me up and drove me to her place. I got a shower, ate, and finally crashed. It was a long, hard day.
Daily Summary
Today I covered 27 miles in 12 hours and 35 minutes. It was brutal!
#PCT today, 27 miles on the trail. I’ve still got 2387 miles to go, but this time I know I need to rest and recover for a bit. This day showed me how crucial it is to listen to my body and find time to heal.
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