PCT 2007 Day 34 – Lake Morena – Boulder Oaks CG

PCT 2007 Day 34

Day 34 / 4-28-07 CB
Lake Morena – Boulder Oaks CG
5.8 miles; 26.4 total miles; 18?? trip miles
Sunny; 80’s

Today I got up and was served French Toast by the class of 2005, I believe. It was great. Teatree even got me a Mimosa, which were for her group only.

After breakfast I caught up on my journal, then I went to the store with two guys named Chris and Nick. They were hiking together and already at Warner Springs but had came back for the party. We all made our phone calls and checked our email. I raced back to the CG to catch a talk on the Geology of the PCT. It was good but I’m not sure how much I will retain. I was super tired all day. The next talk was the flora & fauna talk but it wasn’t doing it for me plus I was getting the head nods, so I went back to my tent and took a nap. It didn’t last long with all the people around. At 1:30 I went to the talk on water. It was okay but they gave us a sheet telling us where there was water and where there was not.

Just to fill everyone in, in my first 20 miles there was not one water source and last year there was 6 water sources. Last year there was record snow in the Sierras and this year there is barely 100% of the normal snow fall. So it’s going to be a dry first 700 miles.
My mom and dad showed up around 3. We then did more logistics like food and boxing up the trailer. I had planned on hiking out 6 miles to get ahead of the group. To do so I had to look into a different pack and there was a tarp I was interested in. Brian at Ula totally hooked me up by giving me one of his demo packs until he could sew one up for me in two weeks. The pack I have is too small and with the oversized water loads I have to carry, I wouldn’t be able to carry enough food. I know Brian put my mom’s nerves at ease by helping me out. The three of us knew I needed the bigger pack now.

Next I went to Gossomer Gear and got a tarp to save room and weight. Most people don’t even put up their tents in the first 700 miles of desert – they just cowboy camp under the stars. It almost never rains so your chances are pretty good. I got the tarp and since I put a hole in the tent fly I left the tent with the manufacturer since he was there.

I got a couple of cheeseburgers and it was almost time to go. I did some final packing and then called Sam to say I was headed north to her. I didn’t get her but she called me back. We talked a bit then it was time for me to go. My folks followed me out a small ways along the trail then I left them behind. Not far along I met a man named Don. We talked a bit. Next I ran into two ladies, Splash and Sue. Splash was using a crutch since she was due for knee surgery. They were just hiking back to the party. It was pretty dark by now and just about the time I was going to get out the head lamp, I ran into the three ladies I saw leave before me, Alix, April and Emile. We hiked on together to Boulder Oaks and spent the night as a group. Later a guy named Brian went by and then Deacon, a 40 something gentleman, joined us.

Once to camp I washed my feet and was off to bed asap. The plan was to be on the trail by first light to beat the heat.

Scatman 2011- This day went by fast.  Like yesterday it was full of emotions and nerves.  Even though I had seen the movie, talked to other hikers and read peoples journals I was still worried.  I find it funny I never night hiked on the AT but on my first night on the PCT I was night hiking.  Just goes to show how different the two really are.

I was sad to leave my parents but I knew I’d see them in a few days and then again once more.  They were amazing and took care of me so well.  I owe them a lot of thanks for the success of my trip.  Thanks guys.

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Scatman

Get out there!

You can check out my Appalachian Trail or Continental Divide Trail journals too!