The winds were pretty bad last night. I need to analyze Bunny’s diet a bit more. The winds were also bad outside of the tent. Ivy’s tent actually got blown down twice…we didn’t find this out until morning until we could no longer offer assistance. We just assumed that she had left one of her vestibule doors open like she has been known to do in the past. We knew Wolf’s tent didn’t get blown down because there was never an interruption in his snoring. I’m used to Bunny’s snoring so remote noise goes unnoticed unless a hear a tent blowing in the wind.
Since we had a short day planned, Ivy and Wolf took their time getting ready. We hurried to try to keep pace with them. They slacked off and were ready to leave at 8:30. We rushed and were ready to leave at 8:30. Perhaps this might be part of the reason we get to camp so much later than they do every day.
We all left at the same time for a change with Ivy out front. By the time we reached the top of the first incline, we were already 30 seconds behind (I picked a shadow as she passed and timed how long it took me to pass that same point). As Ivy rounded the first turn on the trail we were already 5 minutes behind (and we had only been walking 10 minutes). By the time she crossed the first road, they were out of sight completely. Bunny said she was hot and had to take off her rain coat (the 5 minute drill begins yet again). This might be the rest of the reason we get to camp so much later than they do every day.
When we got to the road crossing, a group of off-roaders pulled up. One guy jumped out of his vehicle and asked if we were hiking the PCT. When I said we were, that led to a conversation about choices. He admitted he was homeless and unemployed. I said we were, too. He and his wife had sold all of their property and were trying to decide where to move to to live now that he was done working…20 minutes later, we said goodbye. This might be another reason we get to camp so much later than they do every day.
At the next road crossing, there was a small cache of water. There was less than a gallon left, but I was thirsty beyond belief. We’d only walked about 3 miles, but I had used all of my water to make Bunny coffee in bed. She had less than 1/2 liter of water left and said we had to conserve it, meaning, we can only drink if SHE is thirsty. She seemed a bit put off that I wanted to stop and drink a quart of water, but she acquiesced if I would let her eat a bag of nuts. We ended up taking about a 15 minute break here, possibly adding to the time lag between us and Ivy and Wolf. It’s a good thing it’s a short day.
Now we started making time. We had one big climb today and we pushed right on through it without stopping, much. We did stop in the shade a few times and admire the views while Bunny caught her breath, but I’m sure this didn’t add to our time gap, much. Then I spied an orange shirt in the trail coming towards us. I thought it might be Wolf. Maybe he had dropped something. I zoomed in to see that it was a woman hiking towards us with an ice axe. This concerned me for one of two possible reasons: 1) were we going to need an ice axe to make it over the 7,000’ Mountain we have to climb tomorrow? or 2) Was she going to use it as a weapon and swing for my jugular as we approached? I waited for Bunny to catch up.
With Bunny close behind me (to be a witness to the carnage) we hiked on to where the unknown hikers had stopped, lying in wait, only to find she had an accomplice. As we got nearer, the dastardly duo started looking a bit familiar. Once we got to them, we recognized Warren and Diane who had talked us into taking a double zero in Warren Springs and then took off a day early. They got off at Mike’s Place because of the weather. They were having lunch so we stopped and talked with them for a while. After a week at home, they knocked themselves in the head and said “why didn’t we just go to Walker Pass and head south?” So here they were. Dare I say, another possible addition to the delay.
After about 10 minutes of Bunny stabbing my calves with her hiking poles, I got the inclination that she was ready to move on. Warren was carrying 6 liters of water and was going to dump out some when we told him about water ahead. I downed what water I had and accepted a liter from him, further annoying Bunny as she continued to lose leverage over me with each drop of water I found in the desert. The trail provides, but delays in the process. Yet one more possible reason we fall further behind.
After we said our goodbyes and planned to meet again in a couple of weeks (probably just South of Mt Baden Powell) we hiked a fast mile to the next road crossing. This is where we had planned to stop for lunch at 12 thinking there might be a water cache here (which we no longer needed). Somehow, it was almost 1:15. I have no idea how it had gotten to be so late or how we could possibly be so far behind schedule. It’s a good thing it’s a short day.
We headed for a clump of Joshua Trees just past the road that DID NOT have a water cache at it, and planned to sit in the shade for lunch. Joshua Trees are not a plant to be trifled with. They look like that might have soft palm-like fronds on them. What they really have are nature’s bayonets. Bunny tried to cut through a narrow gap (which I passed without problem) but ended up being bumped back and forth like a pinball caught in the magic spot between two bumpers. She ended up with a series of holes in her wrist and butt. She trifled where she shouldn’t have.
We sat down behind the patch of trees. Bunny wouldn’t go near them and set in the full sun. I had my lunch of tuna. You heard it right, I ate tuna. It was tuna in red curry with coconut. This just proves my theory that curry can make anything taste good, even dog turds. I haven’t tested that theory yet, but with all the dog turds on the trail, I just might if I happen to find myself with some extra curry but no other food. Never rule out possibilities.
We made it to our camping spot about 2:30. We had originally thought we’d be there about 1, but Bunny managed to slow us down, yet again. Now I had to convince her to find us a camping spot because she had said umpteen Times today “I want to comb my hair, brush my teeth, and take a nap to feel better.” Does this sound like a woman who just put on clean underwear only yesterday? She’s not as low maintenance as she thinks she is. If she wants a nap, she has to have a tent spot first.
After a failed location, which I chose, she finally decided to put some effort in and found an ideal spot. We were a little away from Ivy and Wolf, but close enough that Wolf’s Ranger background will protect us in a crisis. The reason we chose this camping spot was that a group of trail angels maintain a large water cache here. We filled up on water for the hike tomorrow and for supper tonight. By the time we were all set up and settled in, it was nearly 4. Wolf is from Florida which 4 is the standard supper time for the geriatric crowd.
We all decided to eat together in the location I had tried to set up our tent—under a beautiful pine tree overlooking the desert valley. We discussed possible strategies as to how we can complete the trail with all the snow this year. I think Ivy has discovered a strategy that will work, but it involves saving the High Sierras until last. I’m having a bit of a hard time wrapping my head around this plan because I had a more “romantic” notion of ending in Canada spending time with a Camino friend, Pete. I liked the symbology of starting in San Diego with one Camigo and ending in Canada with another Camigo. I’m not 100% sold yet.
EFG