We jumped off the Trail at Kearsarge Pass, and after an easy hitch down to Independence, we got a ride to Bishop with a trail Angel whose son is also on the PCT.

We made our way to The Hostel California, where we were greeted with a “welcome beverage”, a hot shower, and indoor beds. Nice!

Day x: Monday 6/01/2015, 0mi/0km

The ancient bristlecone pine forest was a worthy side-trip, but unfortunately no photos since my phone was dead that day.

Day x: Tuesday 6/02/2015, 0mi/0km
The next day we checked out Yosemite Valley!

We had a couple visitors at our backpackers camp area that night…

We met a group of 3 hikers camped next to us, and found out they were doing half dome the next day. Since that was our plan too, I asked them for any trail beta, how much vertical, etc…and found out a permit is needed! No problem, they offered us a couple spots on their permit, and we departed with them the next morning at 5:30am!

Day x: Wednesday 6/03/2015, 14.2mi/22.9km

Day x: Thursday 6/04/2015, 0mi/0km

The next day we visited the Giant Sequoia grove, the trees are ancient and enormous.

We camped in the park, and had a nice night under some giant evergreen trees.

Day x: Friday 6/05/2015, 0mi/0km

We packed up camp and drove to Jus-Jo’s for breakfast. We visited Forestiere Underground Gardens, which is a series of residential tunnels built by an Italian immigrant over 4 decades, impressive! On the way to the airport, we stopped and got some fresh nuts at a roadside stand, and then stopped for lunch at Quiznos. I dropped by dad off at the airport, and then went to visit friends Olesh and Jane in Oakland. After a Seth Rogen movie and beers, I was ready for bed!

Day x: Saturday 6/06/2015, 0mi/0km

I saw Bridal Veil waterfalls on my way back thru Yosemite, on my way back to the Eastern Sierra. I make it to hwy 395 near Mammoth, and call it a night.

An amazing week! There is so much stuff to see/do in the Sierras!! I’m definitely coming back here someday soon.

Back to hiking!

I spent a couple days at Kennedy Meadows, cleaning up, filling up, and socializing. The large group that was present Thursday night was reduced in size by Friday night; a portion of hikers decided to hitch north and avoid the snowy sierra. As I would find out, the fears of snow were unfounded, as the only snow I encountered was a half-mile section coming down the north side of Forester pass.  And I can definitely feel the change in the trail, this is no longer high desert, but high Sierra … Alpine lakes, deer, marmots, snow-capped peaks, bears, and JMT hikers everywhere!

Day 39: Saturday 5/23/2015, 15.1mi/24.2km

Day 40: Sunday 5/24/2015, 19.9mi/32.0km

Day 41: Monday 5/25/2015, 10.6mi/17.1km

Day 42: Tuesday 5/26/2015, 0mi/0km
Battery died! No pictures, Zero day in Lone Pine.

Day 43: Wednesday 5/27/2015, 0mi/0km

Day 44: Thursday 5/28/2015, 14.1mi/22.7km

Surprise! My dad joined for a week, from Lone Pine to Reds Meadow (150 miles + Mt. Whitney)

Day 45: Friday 5/29/2015, 25.2mi/40.6km

Going up to Mt Whitney Summit….

Day 46: Saturday 5/30/2015, 15.8mi/25.4km

Day 47: Sunday 5/31/2015, 10.0mi/16.1km

We jumped off the trail for a few days at Kearsarge Pass (Onion Valley trailhead). The original plan was for us to get to Reds Meadow (155 trail miles) in 8 days, which was pretty ambitious, especially given the altitude of 10k+ feet and the crossing of 4 high mountain passes. After sustaining a post-holing injury coming down Forester pass, we decided to do some local dayhikes in the Sierra region.

It’s been awhile since I’ve had access to WiFi… I’m posting updates from week 6 & 7 from a McDonalds playground!

Day 32: Saturday 5/16/2015, 23.6mi/38.0km

Day 33: Sunday 5/17/2015, 19.2mi/30.9km

Day 34: Monday 5/18/2015, 23.9mi/38.5km

Day 35: Tuesday 5/19/2015, 26.0mi/41.8km

Day 36: Wednesday 5/20/2015, 24.0mi/38.6km

Day 37: Thursday 5/21/2015, 22.1mi/35.5km

Day 38: Friday 5/22/2015, 0mi/0km

The section from Tehachapi pass to Walker pass flew by, completing the 85 miles in 3.5 days. The first day I hiked my first marathon, getting in 26 miles by 5pm. I felt good and had plenty of food because I was ahead of schedule, so I combined it with the 50 mile section to Kennedy Meadows.

It’s been awhile since I’ve had access to WiFi… I’m posting updates from week 6 & 7 from a McDonalds playground!

Day 27: Monday 5/11/2015, 19.5mi/31.4km
Most of this day was a roadwalk, a fire from 2010 closed about 20 miles of trail.

Day 28: Tuesday 5/12/2015, 19.4mi/31.2km

Day 29: Wednesday 5/13/2015, 24.0mi/38.6km

Day 30: Thursday 5/14/2015, 16.9mi/27.2km

Day 31: Friday 5/15/2015, 0mi/0km

My old shoes had 600+ miles on them, time for new ones!

The section from Tehachapi pass to Walker pass flew by, completing the 85 miles in 3.5 days. The first day I hiked my first marathon, getting in 26 miles by 5pm. I felt good and had plenty of food because I was ahead of schedule, so I combined it with the 50 mile section to Kennedy Meadows.

This was a week of adjustments. I had lost my previous group, and I saw in various trail registers that they are now a week ahead of me on the trail. I met plenty of cool new people, one of the things I love about the trail is there is a constant stream of new people, because of the different hiking paces.

I’m also trying hiking poles, to relieve the stress on my feet, and hopefully some of the associated aches/pains. So far they seem to be super annoying, as my hands are cold, I can’t eat/drink on the go, and there is the extra mental energy of figuring out pole placements on the uneven terrain. So…I use them only on extended downhills. They’re also good for poking at snakes so they move off the trail! 🙂

Day 19: Sunday 5/03/2015, 10.0mi/16.1km

Day 20: Monday 5/04/2015, 17.4mi/28.0km

I spent the next night in Wrightwood. A hiker named Christian and I got some pizza, then I ran into another group of hikers for some PBR’s in the aqueduct behind the shopping center…life is good.

Day 21: Tuesday 5/05/2015, 20.8mi/33.5km

Day 22: Wednesday 5/06/2015, 21.1mi/34.0km

Day 23: Thursday 5/07/2015, 25.8mi/41.5km

Day 24: Friday 5/08/2015, 8.1mi/13.0km

Day 25: Saturday 5/09/2015, 14.4mi/23.2km

Day 26: Sunday 5/10/2015, 19.6mi/31.5km

I spent Sunday night at “Casa de Luna”, a wonderful trail stop at the Anderson’s, trail angels. Thanks Terrie & Joe!!

-“Recon” Jon

I left the PCT at Cajon Pass on Friday 4/24 to join a group of friends for a climbing trip in Red Rock Canyon in Nevada, just 3 hours up the I-15. It was great to see my Boston people again, and give my feet a rest from the mileage.

It was quite a shock to leave the quiet, secluded and beautiful wilderness of the PCT, and enter …las vegas. Yikes.

Cragging day at Willow Springs:

On the way to a limestone crag in nearby St George UT:

Climbing at Red Rock Canyon:

On Wednesday we took a day trip to Zion National Park. Most people hiked the Narrows river walk (which is absolutely incredible); I had already done that hike, so Nathan and I did the touristy Angels Landing hike. LOTS of exposure!

We finished out the week at Red Rock:

Saturday night we had a last civilized meal at Chipotle, & Mcflurries. After dropping people off at the airport, I headed back to CA and the PCT.

-Jon “Recon”

This was a short week, since I jumped off the trail on Friday morning to go on a rock climbing trip (that I had planned before the PCT).

The mileage flew by, as I was racing a thunderstorm all day Tuesday, traveled with a very engaging fellow thru-hiker on Wednesday, and was extra-motivated on Thursday by the upcoming town food!

Day 15: Monday 4/20/2015, 10.7mi/17.2km

 

Day 16: Tuesday 4/21/2015, 22.2mi/35.7km

 

Day 17: Wednesday 4/22/2015, 18.5mi/29.8km

The snake and I surprised each other…it coiled up and rattled, and I jumped like 5 feet backward and shreiked “Snake!”

 

Day 18: Thursday 4/23/2015, 15.5mi/24.9km

I’ll be in Red Rock Canyon in Nevada for a week, be back on the trail on Sunday! (5/3/2015)

-Jon “Recon”

Another week, another 150 miles! I’m getting into a rhythm on the PCT – breakfast, hike, 2nd breakfast, hike, lunch, hike, setup camp, dinner, sleep. Repeat!
I also took a few breaks in towns – a half day in Warner Springs, a zero day in Idyllwild, and a half day in Big Bear Lake. Towns can be kinda spendy, so I try to limit my time there (even with so much delicious local ice cream).

Day 7:  Sunday 4/12/2015, 19.5mi/31.4mi

 

Day 8: Monday 4/13/2015, 22.7mi/36.5km

 

Day 9: Tuesday 4/14/2015, 0mi/0km (ZERO)

 

Day 10:  Wednesday 4/15/2015, 21.7mi/34.9km

 

Day 11: Thursday 4/16/2015, 19.6mi/31.5km

 

Day 12: Friday 4/17/2015, 21.5mi/34.6km

 

Day 13: Saturday 4/18/2015, 20.7mi/33.3km

 

Day 14: Sunday 4/19/2015, 9.9mi/15.9km

I’m staying at a hostel in Big Bear Lake tonight, and gonna hit the trail for a half day tomorrow, after a pancake buffet of course! Only 67 miles and 3.5 days to Cajon Pass…

Its been a fun* first week on the trail!

(*Fun = physical challenge, meeting many great people, camping miles from    anyone, desert heat, surprise midnight ice storms, eating 3 meals before noon, and walking until you hurt. Your definition of fun may vary.)

Now, some details. The PCT is generally a smooth trail with only gradual inclines, made possible by more switchbacks than you can shake a stick at. So, very enjoyable walking, and you can look at the scenery instead of your feet & next steps. Here are some photos to illustrate!

 
Day 1: Monday 4/6/2015, 17.8mi/28.6km

Day 2: Tuesday 4/7/2015, 19.3mi/31.0km

Day 3: Wednesday 4/8/2015, 18.8mi/30.3km

Day 4: Thursday 4/9/2015, 21.1mi/34.0km

Day 5: Friday 4/10/2015, 21.0mi/33.8km

Day 6: Saturday 4/11/2015, 11.5mi/18.5km

While photos are good at summarizing the good stuff, they don’t convey that it happens against the backdrop of a sufferfest. Think walking a marathon  every day, while carefully rationing your food and water. And not walking too far/fast, or else your body breaks down faster than it can heal itself.
But its an amazing place, lots of super awesome people ( both hikers and locals), and its been 100% sunny 7 days straight. I didn’t think that kind of weather was even possible.
Till next week– happy trails!

I spent the morning doing some final packing, tweaking of gear, and eating waaay too much (2 lumberjack slams!)

Here is all my gear and food laid out-

And after some finesse and sweet- talking, it all went into my pack!

For those interested, here is a link to my gear list:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B3Q6yC8veFqwTDNTOVRyWW1HY18tRl9OSDBid2dvTDVMdXNv/edit?usp=docslist_api

I’m probably bringing too much, but only time will tell what can be eliminated.
Can’t wait!