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

DAY 26. May 21: another ZERO.

Resting, eating, soaking up the 'shade'light - that's what I'm doing today. There are so many hikers staying here at Agua Dulce and I don't want to outstay my welcome so I'll probably hit the trail later this evening. Will do some night hiking. I'm feeling much better. Thanks for all your prayers and thoughts- they do make a difference.

Gotta share this with you. Yesterday afternoon I woke up from a sound, 2-hour snooze, surrounded by 20 or 30 hikers holding a big birthday cake and singing happy birthday. I was pleasantly surprised and touched by their thoughtfulness. These guys become your family away from home. It was very nice.

Shirley will be joining me on Monday. I'm looking forward to her visit.
Keep hiking,
Greybeard

DAY 25, Tues.,May 20, my 67th Birthday ZERO day - TOTAL MILES 454

Thanks to all of you who have sent me birthday wishes. This hiker is getting old. It has been great reading all of the posts and listening to my grandchildren and children sing to me on my voicemail.

I arrived at Agua Dulce around 6pm last night. This place is awesome - an oasis in a desert land. The Saufleys graciously take in hikers and provide multiple services - anything a hiker needs. I'll be resting up here for a couple of days, catching up on laundry, email and talking to my baby.
Keep hiking,
Greybeard

DAY 24,Mon.,May 19. 23.7-mi.day. TOTAL 454.4

This is a day of ups and downs and more ups and downs. The trail dips 1,000 feet down and climbs 1,000 feet up. There is no shade and the temperature is 107 deg. The water I'm carrying is 100 deg. There is no shade. The terrain is like a moonscape - nothing growing. I cross over the Santa Clara River ford - and it's just a dry, dusty dip on the horizon - no water!

You may be asking "is he having fun yet?" Well, the early mornings are very nice. I just never expected this much heat. It will be much better when I start into the Sierras - about 190 miles north. But for now - I'll keep treking this dry, thirsty land!
Keep hiking,
Greybeard

P.S.: Thanks to Nimblewill Nomad for donating to the Home of the Innocents. He is a 70 year old thru-hiker being supported by a good friend. Terrific people to know.