How many rooms? – The walk

How many quarters will it take to clean yourself in the shower? As a hiker, you sometimes pay for showers when you pass through a city. One of the ones I had read was Morena Lake Camp. The price was fair: 50 cents for 4 minutes. So before leaving the house I made sure to take 4 quarts thinking that an 8 minute shower would be enough.

How little I knew…!

After leaving Campo towards Nobo or north in a very dry, cool and mostly clean year, I was not expecting the level of dust I was expecting. The scene from the movie Wild about Cheryl Strayed came to mind. The one where she’s at Kennedy Meadows with Monster getting a pack check. Having to choose between what I needed or wanted. I have been there…many times before I started this trip and even while walking.

They pick up their deodorant and the same question of “have you used this?” and his response is «I stink all the time and the least of them is my armpits.» I had also brought the smaller deodorant stick, but it melted on top, rendering it unusable. Yes, I tried, it didn’t really work.

Then the wind blew

It was late and we were approaching a much needed Papa Bear water reservoir at mile 14. The wind picked up as we plunged into Hauser Canyon attacking my sense of smell. My eyes scanned for the offending creature when I realized it was me.

Sit on a small section of a closed-cell foam pad cut to the appropriate size. Freeing my feet from the confines of two pairs of socks and trail running shoes, I breathe a sigh of relief. While others headed to the water tank, I turned to Detour and said, “well, this level of stench will take more than 4 quarts and 8 minutes.” My feet were dirty and black on the top of my socks. I was sweaty and tired, but excited to hike.

We were delighted to arrive Morena Lake Camp The next day I heard that the rains were FREE!!! There were portable showers that didn’t need rooms probably due to the current facility being renovated. It’s amazing what a hot shower can do for morale. We took a long nap and then hit the road to finish the day at Boulder Oaks.

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