Day 14, Higher Ground

The Part 1, The Desert, Day 14

Higher Ground

Miles: 21.2

PCT Mile: 247.35
(Day 13 and 14 are now up.)

Today I got to see one of the great joys of hiking the PCT; experiencing the landscape drastically shift over the course of a day. It didn't start well though. I had only a few hours of weird sleep. I think it was from sleeping in a canyon and the moon was way too bright. I've read stuff about the psychological effects of being in canyons and I believe it affects me. I jolted up at 5:15 am and quickly started to pack up. I wanted to get out of there. 

The whole morning I was hiking through narrow canyons, and I crossed Mission Creek 26 times over 12 miles. The temps were cool, which was great, but I struggled mightily this morning. My lack of sleep combined with my too long exposure to the sun yesterday left me feeling sapped of energy and slightly sick. I needed energy so I stopped to eat something, also noticing that I barely have any food left, but hey, I have plenty of water, and I love water!

I drank some of this mega-coffee that this guy gave me and I powered on through the morning. Maybe it had steroids in it. The sun eventually joined the party and I was like bacon in a frying pan in that narrow canyon. one exciting thing about hiking up canyons for hours and hours is to see what's on the other side. 

Around mid-day I started to head uphill. Very much uphill. It was so exhausting, but then I began to see some changes. 

There were trees! I love trees. I'd spent the day gaining feet in elevation by the thousands, so I was happy to see this development. 

At this point I was so listless, and I was absolutely starving. I wanted to wait until I  got to a spring in 5 miles before I stopped, and it was probably a dumb decision, because I had real trouble going forward. I'm also getting nerve pain in my shoulder and a rash on my back from my pack. I know, it's gross, but how do you think I feel!? The scenery was so grand with birds chirping and the smell of pine cones and all that stuff, that I was able to push on. 

Here is a chair that someone fashioned out of a tree. I sat in it, but no picture. This was strictly Brett Time.

I finally made it to the spring. One thing I've learned on the PCT is that no matter the destination, the last mile is SO LONG. Every time. It's interminable. When I got there, other hikers were lounging in the sun, but I was so hungry that I got right down to business. I think my hunger has finally kicked in, and I need mucho calories, so I went straight to work in the food laboratory. I made mashed potatoes, and put some cheese and salami in there.

This was the last of my "not gross" food, so this was a one time deal, at least until I resupply. It was really good actually, and it hit the spot. Satisfied with my unholy concoction, I went to the spring, which was in a small cave. 

The spring water fell in tiny drops into that bucket. I filled 5 liters and treated it with bleach,and it tasted like a swimming pool. Better than Giardia. After this, I could barely keep my eyes open, so I laid  out my sleeping pad in front of two good looking Pines and just relaxed for about an hour, shoes and socks off. 

I almost dozed off, It was really nice in the sun, but I got up, packed up, and talked to a few other hikers for awhile. 

Here's a pole with bees on it. 

Feeling somewhat refreshed, I wanted to get about 6 more miles in to go over 20 for the day, so I took off, Guns N Roses blasting in my headphones. By this time the pine forest was in full effect and I was just cruising. 

This forest is so great, the smells, sounds, and it felt good to be up here and out of the desert for a bit. I was also back at 8,500 feet and this time I can feel the effects of the altitude. I was getting winded for the first time this hike. I FINALLY got cell service and was able to send out my blog. Sorry for the delay people, but I've been in the wilderness. It happens. 

It was late aternoon when I turned a corner and saw in the distance the desert I'd crossed a few days ago. It is such a cool feeling to see these great distances and know you just crossed them by foot. I felt like Kate Winslett in Titanic...Anyways, here is the view:

Here's something someone made on the trail. Where did they get the time?

I needed to camp and the sun was setting, so I saw a place on my map called Coon Creek Camp. 

Here is what I saw when I got there. 

Oh I've seen this place before! It was in the Blair Witch Project. 

No, this place isn't creepy at all! I actually walked around for too long deciding if I should camp out front on the flat ground, but let's be honest, this place felt a bit too "murdery," for my comforts. I quicky left and headed uphill for a few miles and found a great spot with an epic view. 

It's mighty cold, but I think I'll pass right out. Thanks for reading.