A Day On the PCT - Days 64 - 67

Day 64

Belden to Mile 1267.5 ~ 19.3 Miles

I tried really hard to nurse my shin today. I know how my left shin felt and I want to try to do everything in my power to avoid my right shin from getting that bad. I slept in, took my time in the morning and didn’t get started until about 10am. Once I did start I had a major climb. One of the more difficult climbs of the trail. I took it very slow and tried to enjoy the climb. I coaster to a 19 mile day and better yet my shin was not in much pain at all! It was a little tight here and there, but overall I think today was a good sign going forward.

I have been crossing hikers coming from Lake Tahoe and I’m hearing there is/was a lot of snow between Truckee and Echo Lake/South Lake Tahoe. I am a little concerned because I sent all my snow gear to Tahoe thinking I wouldn’t need it before then. I am not sure what I am going to do yet but I need to try and figure it out in the next day or so.

Day 65

Mile 1267.5 to mile 1239.5 ~ 28 Miles

I figured it would be fun to fully chronicle one of my days out here. Hopefully whoever is reading this will get a sense for how a day on the PCT might look. Today was great and filled with a lot of fantastic and challenging hiking. Here is what it looked like:

6:20am - wake up

6:20am to 7:04am - get dressed, take down tent, pack away gear, eat a quick breakfast, brush teeth, poop

7:04am to 8:24am - hiking 4.1 miles

8:24am to 8:30am - filter water from stream

8:30am to 8:58am - hiking 1.5 miles

8:58am to 9:12am - break

9:12am to 10:32am - hiking 4.3 miles

10:32am to 10:46am - break/eat second breakfast

10:46am to 12:28pm - hiking 4.3 miles

12:28pm to 1:15pm - lunch break

1:15pm to 2:40pm - hiking 3.9 miles

2:40pm to 2:51pm - filter water from stream

2:51pm to 3:35pm - hiking 2.3 miles

3:35pm to 4:00pm - snack break

4:00pm to 5:02pm - hiking 2.6 miles

5:02pm to 5:12pm - filter water from river

5:12pm to 7:02pm - hiking 5 miles

7:02pm End hiking (28 Miles day)

7:02pm to 7:19pm - pitch tent, take out gear, take out dinner

7:19pm to 7:48pm - eat dinner

7:48pm to 8:40pm - sat around campfire

8:40pm to 9:02pm - in tent, write today’s journal

9:02pm - bed time

Day 66

Mile 1239.5 to mile 1214.8 ~ 24.7 Miles

Today was a very easy enjoyable day of hiking. I formed a bit of a blister on the back on my right heel so I knew taking it somewhat easy would be a good idea. I took lots of breaks and made sure my foot was dry.

I am almost to the town of Sierra City. After hiking about 20 miles I should be there tomorrow afternoon. When I get close to towns the day or two leading up is filled with thoughts of “town food”! While I’m hiking all I can think about is the big burger or the pizza waiting for me. Maybe a big bag of chips or an ice cream milk shake. It all sounds so good compared to the food I have in my bag. Tomorrow afternoon I will get to sink my teeth into something tasty and I can’t wait!

Day 67

Mile 1214.8 to Sierra City ~ 19.7

This morning I woke up at 5:30am got on the trail at 6:00am and knocked out 20 miles by 2:00pm. This is called get me the heck in town so I don’t eat another cliff bar or another packet of ramen.

Once in town I got a 1lb burger with fries and a Gatorade. I was in heaven! I also splurged and got a hotel room. So tonight I get to stay the night in a bed and enjoy a roof over my head. Tomorrow I am going to take my time and get out of town in the early afternoon. This next 100 miles to South Lake Tahoe has a lot of snow. I am getting geared up mentally and physically to take it down!