8/11/20; mile: 1,688; elevation: 5,978 ft.
This post is dedicated to my friend and trail angel Gary; the guy who set the bar for trail angels at Carson Pass not only for me but a couple of my trail friends. He started his PCT thru hike on 3/17/22, two years to the day after my start and is walking what is most certainly a completely different trail than I experienced. I sure hope I get the opportunity to help you and your trail friends in a couple of months. Good luck, Gary!
Up and Adam! Despite the late hike last night, I’m still up early and on trail before 0630. Long days of daylight and the thought of reuniting with family very shortly can be a big-ass boot in your ass. The lack of pictures during the day tells the tale. I just decided to walk. Whether it’s a lack of joy in the day and surroundings or a sense of purpose and drive to continue on, I don’t know for sure. Or maybe both. The terrain along this section is not too spectacular, the burn areas even making it more uncomfortable in the heat of the day. Yeah, there are climbs as well, but at this point in my hike, they don’t feel like much work or require that much effort, they’re just there. And they need to be climbed. Because the miles need to be consumed. Some days are joyous, some aren’t. You can’t really appreciate one without the other.
At Alex Hole Spring, I stop to get water and make dinner. Since it’s getting late, I figure I’ll eat here and get it over with, then make more miles. When I walk up, there’s Rong Way. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him, but the logbooks show we’ve only been a day or two apart for some time. So typical of thru hiking. We sit and chill for a while our food cooks and catch up on trail life. After my dinner is done, I head off again. Rong Way soon follows and ends up passing me as I stop for camp with Bambi and Polar Bear. We have a pleasant time chatting some more as we do our camp chores under this gorgeous oak tree trying to avoid the cow patties scattered about.
Tomorrow is considered a big deal for thru hikers. We finally leave California. For me, the bigger deal is I’m that much closer to Ashland, OR. Sarah and Peter are meeting me for one last reunion that’s easy driving distance from Sacramento. Since I’ve been living out of my backpack for 8 days now, a shower, laundry and town food sounds like a good idea too!
Savior out.