PCT: Day 112

PCT Animals

Miles today: 25.7

Trail miles sum: 950.4

Trail location: 1625.5

Elevation: 6551

Spinning on the turntable: Waren Zevon: The wind

This day was guaranteed to be a long hike right out of the gate. I want to bump up my daily miles and the only way to do that is to hike longer.

Guthook Screenshot

Guthook July 26

Noelle joined me for the first six miles of the hike and then headed back to the van. I’m grateful when she joins me and sad when she returns to the van. I can tell the backpacking is hurting her shoulder though.

Flowers of the PCT

Butterflies and flowers

There are moments today when I curse whomever designed this section of trail. Up and down, up and down.

Downhill trail

Downhill trail

There are moments of real pleasure and enjoyment intermingled with moments of stinging sweat in the eyeballs.

The deer are here and there around the trail. I wonder if they prefer the soft dirt for the trail instead of the rocks? Do they care?

PCT Animals

Deer eating breakfast

I was swapping Garmin messages with one of our daughters today. Garmin messaging works, but it’s challenging. 160 characters per message. Message delivery depends on when the satellite flys by overhead. The message may deliver in moments and it may deliver in an hour or two.

I look forward to face to face communication when we see each other soon.

Trying to communicate on meaningful subjects with a Garmin is like trying to write substantive blog posts with an iPhone while laying on my back in the tent. Yes, it’s kind of, sort of, communication, but it’s not the ease of communication that I’m accustomed to enjoying.

The horse poop is gone and the trails are again littered with fallen trees. The trees are frequent enough to be an annoyance to my attempts at finding a smooth walking rhythm.

Downed trees

Downed trees

Trying to find the elusive walking rhythm is important to me. When I can find it, and occasionally I do, I can walk effortlessly for hours. I’m trying to incorporate breath meditation when I’m able. Sometimes it works and other times it doesn’t.

I made it into camp around 7:30 and set up camp. I politely chatted with a family next to me for a moment or two and then withdrew to my own solitude. I’m not good company when I’m this tired. I may not be good company when I not tired either.

Trinity Alps Wilderness

Trinity Alps

In another long ago life I worked 12 hour shifts. On work days it was work, sleep, eat, repeat. There are incredible similarities between that and thru-hiking. I’m trying to maintain some sort of daily balance, not too much hiking and not too little.

I want/need to have a little bit of time each day to relax and not hike and to read or chat with other hikers. This recharges my emotional batteries. So I’m trying to keep the total hours hiked per day to twelve or less. Today was closer to fourteen hours hiked.

I’m really tired, but not exhausted. This has been my biggest mileage day yet. We’ll see how I feel tomorrow.

5 Comments

  1. Anonymous

    25 miles. Great day! I love you pictures. Especially because these are places I’ll never have that up close experience. Glad you and Noelle are able to connect and hike together now. Take care💕
    Liz from Fresno Retro

    Reply
  2. Anonymous

    The last Post was from Laurie & Bob… not sure why it’s anonymous… love you guys ♡

    Reply
  3. Anonymous

    I’m glad to hear you’re going to see your daughter soon. And I never realized both of you seem to be introverts? Love following your journey ♡

    Reply
    • mcgarveysan

      Hi Laurie (& Bob), we’re both total introverts. We certainly interact with others, even groups, but at the end of the day, no people please! 🤣🤣😂 hugs to you both, Noelle

      Reply
  4. Anonymous

    Your pictures are wonderful! Any communication is better than none ☺️ [in your daughters opinion, haha]
    Love you both

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

%d bloggers like this: