3/27/20, mile: 111
Do the math. I did my first 16-miler! But that pales in comparison to the night and morning I had.
After absorbing heat and light before sundown, I noticed a huge wispy cloud bank over the mountains to my west. Not the surf-looking things like the night before, but some wraith slithering over the mountains and down to the valley and across over to me; The Fog.
This doesn’t look good. Within an hour, sleet started. Oh, and don’t forget the wind. Again, extra rocks to hold the tent did their job, but the sleet turned to snow, and this ain’t a winter tent. I spent a fitfull night being cold, hitting the tent to get the snow to sluff off, and just hoping against hope I didn’t have a collapse like I’ve others have.
I have a new facial spa treatment in mind. If you sprinkle tiny particles of ice onto your upturned face, they sublimate instead of melting This action causes the the skin to tighten (or is it grimace?). This can only be accomplished by mosquito netting of a summer tent. Because the pores are so small, only the tiniest of ice crystals can penetrate. And as we all know, when you’re paying at the spa, only the finest particles will do…
No, I didn’t sleep well. Upon waking and not being able to hold my bladder any longer, I took a peek outside. This was a differnt landscape. TV meteorologists might call this a “dusting of snow”. Yeah right. This isn’t your favorite baking show where they lightly sprinkle powdered sugar over their latest creation. Think leaf blower and shaved ice. Instead of snow really falling, it flew along until it stuck to something. Anything. Except the trail. I guess the ground was too warm. So, my tent was wet, again. No hot food or coffee to conserve water for drinking, and dress warm cause it was COLD. I didn’t bother checking because my watch thermoter doesn’t like getting close to freezing.
The walk was sureal. I’ve never been in the desert after snow. The only real hiking problem was snow covered bushes overhanging the trail. Trekking poles are multi-use tools, yes they are.
Alas, all good things come to an end. The trail dropped in elevation and moved east into the sun. Upon arrival at Barrel Springs (mile 101), I found David just leaving and the Dangers lounging. While I made my coffee and ate some oatmeal, we chatted about the weather, what a change the last two miles were, and theire tent problems. And then they took off too, leaving me alone again. Did you notice I passed the 100-mile mark? I sure as hell did.
And just like that, the mountain terrain was gone, and no we’re walking through ranchland that looks like Sonoma or Lake Counties. And not too soon later, I met Cannonball, heading southbound. After discussing itineraries (he had a weired hitch to get supplies up ahead and was walking back to hit the trail miles), he decided to turn back the way he came and lead me to Warner Springs. Pointing back from where I came and talking about the snow he says, “What snow?” Yup, it was gone. For all of the misery and effort it took, I realize now what a magical moment in time that was. And since I survived it, how can I complain about being able to witness that?
The flat range land was easy walking. The sun was out, but still a little breezy. We made the stop at Eagle Rock and talked to some visitors who tried to sell us on the $400 RT tickets to New Zealand right now….tempting. We finally made our way around the town and made camp in an oak grove near the highway. I needed to make the 1.5 mile-ish walk to the “store” and post office in the morning.
That evening, I never heard so many animals so far this trip. Lots of birds, bugs, frogs, owls and coyotes. I even witness an owl swooping around trying to catch something. Magical.
Hey Ron! Nice walk…you are killing it…so brav e
Do you think about the coronavirus at night or in your daily thoughts when you are hiking ?
Does it make it’s way on a daily basis night and day in your mind? Is it annoying..how can you handle it?
You are the toughest man on Earth…so mentally tough
Hike on
Hey Ron,sounds like things are going pretty well and looks like some good weather ahead stay safe and things around home are still pretty good.