Rock Formations on the PCT

DAY 34, Thurs.,May 29, 9 mile day. TOTAL 567

Another day hike south - this time a shorter one. Shirley dropped me off at Highway 58 (9 miles north of the point I started on Wednesday). This section took me right through the middle of another wind farm. There are hundreds of 3-bladed turbines dotting the landscape and they are spectacular. Some of them are 140' high. The wind rips across the hill and it is very difficult to keep from being blown over. I'll add photos later. Shirley was waiting for me at Tehachapi-Willow Springs Road. We spent the night in the town of Mojave, CA.
Tomorrow is another hiking day!
Keep hiking,
Greybeard
P.S. Thanks for all the comments. It is good to hear from home.

DAY 33.Wed., May 28. 40 MILE DAY. TOTAL 558.3

Today, I decided to take advantage of Shirley's support. So, we planned out a day hike with me walking south instead of north. I began at 5:30 am at Tehachapi-Willow Springs Road (N35deg 07.931', W48deg 27.244'). This trek would take me along the underground Los Angeles Aqueduct and across many miles of the dry, barren Mojave Desert.

The first event of the day was walking upon a herd of sheep, a shepherd and two dogs. I thought it wise to give a wide berth between me and the sheep, especially since the dogs didn't appear to like me very much. Then I walked for miles along the aqueduct. You can hear the hum of the water below. It is quite amazing.

Everything went as scheduled until Shirley tried to meet me around 4pm. She was bringing Big Macs and cold Pepsi. However, she ended up waiting for me 5 miles north of where I was because I had hiked further south than I thought. We finally found each other and enjoyed a short lunch. I headed out on foot and she drove on the dirt road along the aqueduct to Skaggs' place to wait for me. Glad we had good cell service today.

We spent the night at HikerTown. It was a long day and my feet were talking to me in a not-so-friendly way at the end, but it was a good day overall. I met up with several northbound hikers - of course they asked me if I knew I was heading the wrong way.
Keep hiking,
Greybeard

Photos from the PCT

Here is the cake and a photo of the hiker buddies
who surprised me on my birthday.

This is a photo of Mt. Baden-Powell, the 9,245 ft.
mountain I climbed over at mile 378. I did not go
to the summit to see the monument. I did however, walk in the snow. It was beautiful.

DAYs 31 & 32. Mon.,May 26, Tues., May 27: ZERO Days with Shirley

After an hour or so delay in Denver, Shirley arrived at Hikertown on Monday around 4:30pm. It was really wonderful to see her. I introduced her to Richard Skaggs and Mrs. Anderson happened to be there also. She is the trail angel who fixed me pancakes and where I spent a couple of hours resting back at mile 478.

Shirley also got to see some of the hikers she met at the kick-off in April. Then we drove to Tehachapi, CA and stayed at the Best Western off of Highway 58. Shirley plans to stay out here for several weeks to support me along the way. This will allow me to hike the miles carrying fewer days of supplies.

I'll be slack packing on Wednesday and Shirley will be meeting me at the end of the day. Should be great!

Keep hiking,

Greybeard

DAY 30, Sun.,May 25. 18.4-mi.day: TOTAL 518.4

Climbed up a beautiful mountain up and over 5,700 feet. The trail was pleasant all the way with an easy descent down to a small pond which was not suitable for water. I crossed a road and hiked around the perimeter of a sportsman shooting club. This section was not pleasant due to unnecessary ups and downs because of private property restrictions in the area.

I arrived at Hikertown, on Highway 138 around 1pm. This facility is owned by Richard Scaggs. Mr. Scaggs takes an active part in caring for the hikers when he is in town, but the leaves the overall operations to Bob. They are A-No.1 troops. They provided what we needed most - a night's rest and good food, particular Mr. Scagg's Belgium Waffles. I told him that he is the first person I've ever met, outside my family, who likes a mixture of peanut butter and butter to put on the waffles. It was like being at home.

Hikertown is like being on a movie set with no cameras. What a unique place.

Shirley will be here tomorrow.

Keep hiking,

Greybeard

DAY 29.Sat.,May 24. ZERO day - DRYING OUT

Taken a zero on the trail. The sun is out and I am drying out. I posted yesterday that I have never been so wet. Well, I was talking about the clothes on my back, my socks and shoes. I had plenty of plastic bags to keep my gear inside my pack dry. Luckily I had enough forethought to pack my night shirt and extra socks inside my sleeping bag - so I had dry clothes to put on inside the tent.

I spent all day eating my packed food and reading the 2nd Harry Potter book that my baby sent to me at Big Bear City. Ate a Mountain House Beef Stew for dinner. My daughter April sent it to me for my birthday. It was heavenly!

The fog cleared up so I walked up to the top of a hill and guess what I saw - a valley with lots of civilization. I ran back to my tent, got my cell phone out and called Shirley. What a relief for both of us. I'm feeling much better now. The rolling in my stomach has eased up and I feel a lot stronger. I'll be hiking the 18 miles to Hikertown (another hiker friendly place) tomorrow.
Keep hiking,
Greybeard

DAY 28, Fri.,May 23. 21 mi.day: TOTAL 500

Unbelievable hike today - RAIN, RAIN and more RAIN. Then fog - a solid wall of fog. At one point, I had no idea where I was. I couldn't even see the trail. I have never been so wet. Like so many other hikers, I just didn't prepare for rain in the southern section of California. Then the weather turned really bad - it got cold. I was very concerned about hypotherma so I found what I thought was a good place to set up my tent under some pine trees. Wrong! It was probably the worst place I could have chosen. The wind was ferocious and I have to admit it was a little frightening. I know that my sweet wife, friends and family must have been praying for me because I made it through this day. Thank the good Lord!
Keep hiking,
Greybeard

DAY 27, Thurs., May 22: 11 mi.day: TOTAL 479

As I hike along today I am looking up at rain-threatening clouds. Whoever said 'it doesn't rain in Southern California' didn't get it right. It is definitely looking like rain to me. Unfortunately, I am not totally prepared for rain. But, all is well and I will be stopping by another trail angel facility, the Andersons, soon.

11:00 am: reached the Andersons and they fixed me a pancake breakfast. Also, took a 2 hour nap and said goodbye and thank you for the kindnesses they showed me. Will be looking for a dry place to set up my tent and stay dry.

Our God is an awesome God!
Keep hiking,
Greybeard

DAY 26, May 21:11.2 Miles - SHORT day; Total 465.6

Hiked at a much slower pace today. It was a day of nice, easy climbs. Stopped at a water cache and decided to camp on soft sand near a dry creek bed. There are only about 40 miles left to get to the highway where I'll meet Shirley so I'll really have to pace myself between now and then. Can't say enough about the Saufleys in Agua Dulce. Any PCTers reading this blog, be sure to stop there for some R&R.
Keep hiking,
Greybeard