Day 83 & 84 – 7/13/16 to 7/14/16

1493.92 to Interstate 5 1498.70

Total miles: 4.78

Last night was kind of weird. I definitely felt alone at night. I woke up a few times as if something startled me out of my sleep. The moon also was shining through this section of trees abut 50 feet away. Very eerie. I got up at 5:20 and was hiking by 5:45. All morning I kept hearing this beeping sound off in the distance. Never figured out what it was. Continue reading

Day 82 – 7/12/16

Butcherknife creek 1464.55 to 1493.92

Total miles: 29.37

I’m amazed at how consistent my internal clock is. I never set an alarm and I usually am up just before 5, either on my own or by 5 Star rustling around. This morning was no different except I have no 5 Star alarm. Just my infallible internal clock. I decided to sleep in a bit more because why the he’ll not? It was still a bit dark and I didn’t want to have to get out my headlamp. I slept in until 5:20 and then quickly packed up my things. I shouldered my pack, crossed the creek, and made my way up the tree covered trail munching on my pop tart. I think I’ll never eat a pop tart again after this. Continue reading

Day 81 – 7/11/16

1432.13 to Butcherknife creek 1464.55

Total miles: 32.42

Last night was cold! I was cowboy camping on a rock outcropping that looked out at Mt Shasta. Around midnight the wind started to pick up and the temperature plummeted. I was freezing. I put on my rain jacket to help and I curled up under my quilt and cinched the top down. It was still a little drafty but I wasn’t freezing. I woke up at 5:15 and quickly packed up. I was ready to get moving so I could warm up. Continue reading

Day 80 – 7/10/16

Baum Lake 1405.89 to 1432.13

Total miles: 26.24

As I was just starting to drift off last night the wind picked up suddenly. I was in a large cluster of trees so my tent was mostly protected. I then heard what sounded like a few drops of rain on my tent. I looked up and saw the drops through the thin material. I unrolled my storm doors and hooked them in place. I rearranged my things in the tent to prepare for rain. Luckily none came. Although around midnight I heard something stomping around on the dead leaves just in front of my tent. I couldn’t see since my storm doors were out so I smacked my tent and heard whatever it was run off. Probably just deer. Continue reading

Day 79 – 7/9/16

1377.53 to Baum Lake 1405.89

Total miles: 28.36

4 am came very fast. I didn’t sleep well at all. If at all. I kept feeling like I may need to leap up and puke in a bush. I tool some tums but it only helped a little. I packed up in the dark and we were off by 4:30.

Continue reading

Day 78 – 7/8/16

1347.71 to 1377.53

Total miles: 29.18

I got to sleep in this morning. We had reservations for breakfast at Drakesbad which starts at 7:30. Sleeping in is hard. I was awake well before 5. I laid on my pad tossing and turning until 6:30. I packed up my stuff and put my pack in the bear box. 5 Star and I walked the quarter mile or so to Drakesbad. The resort is a bunch of small cabins. Not really what I imagined. We headed for the largest building hoping it was the food building. Sure enough it was. I inquired about breakfast and about picking up my resupply box. Continue reading

Day 77 – 7/7/16

Carter Creek 1315.51 to Warner Creek Campground 1347.71

Total miles: 32.21

Last night around midnight I heard dead branches snapping right by my tent. What the heck is that? Deer? Bear? Puma? I go back to sleep thinking about how my other trekking pole is up against the log by dead branches. I think about how deer will run off with my pole to get the salt encrusted salt handle. Continue reading

Day 76 – 7/6/16

Belden 1284.43 to Carter Creek 1315.51

Total miles: 31.08

It was so nice to sleep in a bed last night! I even had a pillow! Such luxury. We had the windows open and the room was cooling down. The bed only had a sheet which was fine until around 3 when I woke up freezing. There were no blankets and I didn’t want to empty my pack to get to the quilt which was stuffed at the bottom. I curled up and went back to sleep. Continue reading

Day 75 – 7/5/16

1270.04 to 1284.43

Total miles: 14.37

Woke up today again feeling very tired. Took me a few minutes of sitting before I started to pack up my stuff. We started moving by 5:20 back up to the trail. It was a steep climb back to the trail. Never like those early in the morning. My Achilles tendon is always sore and tight in the morning. 5 Stat and I got back onto the trail without being impaled by dead fall branches too much. Continue reading

Day 74 – 7/4/16

1237.98 to 1270.04

Total miles: 32.06

Waking up was very hard for me this morning. I was exhausted and just wanted to sleep all day. But nobody is going to hike the miles for me. I sat up and slowly started getting ready. I was packed up and hobbling down the trail eating a crushed pop tart by 5:20. At least the trail went downhill for most of the morning. Continue reading