I spent my zero day relaxing and stuffing myself full of food for the trail ahead. I ran into Andy (Wolverine) in Mammoth Village and we chatted for a while about our plans. He mentioned that he and his friend Kurt have both been experiencing the same fatigue that I have been. I must admit that last few days of hiking I was counting down the miles to town and a day of rest. I still enjoyed the scenery,don't get me wrong, but it was a bit of a distraction. I figure that if I can just slow things down and/or get past the Sierras I'll be ok. The problem, Andy and I agreed, is that once you get used to hiking long miles it is hard to be satisfied with 18 to 20 mile days. He mentioned that he is considering coming off the trail. Having completed the Appalachian Trail, he doesn't feel compelled to complete the PCT and this last section really wore him out. He's going to hang around town and give it some thought.
Meanwhile my plan is to continue the high miles so I can make it to the next resupply (Echo Lake 190 miles) while carrying as little food as possible. Then from there on another 55 miles to highway 80, where I come off the trail for a rest in Sacramento. If I can just stick it out until then, the hardest parts of the trail will be behind me and it should be smooth sailing. I hate to blow through the Sierras, but I do have certain deadlines to meet, and besides I plan yo come back and section hike the best parts when I have more time.
I remembered a few things that I'm not sure I posted, so I'll leave off with those:
1. The strange light on Siberian Outpost was due to hiking through a solar eclipse that I couldn't see through the trees. As it so happens, I learned there is a lunar eclipse coming up tonight or tomorrow, as well as the transit of venus.
2. The night I spent above Quail Meadows (mosquito hell) I heard coyotes howling less than a mile from my camp. That was an amazing experience.
3. When I bought my current load of groceries I had so much junk food that the clerk asked me how many people in my group. I told her it was just me and got an wonderfully dirty look. FYI, it was hard work, but I managed to finish my chocolate cake.
4. Coming into Reds Meadow I was trying to outrun a storm that was coming in from the South. I could see it dumping snow on the distant peaks. It had just about caught me, and I even started hearing thunder, but when I arrived in Reds Meadow it must have shifted its path because nothing ever came of it.
5. I finally broke down and bought a nature guide for the Sierras. I'm tired of having no clue what I'm looking at. It's heavy, but I figured I would give it a try between here and Echo Lake.
