PCT DAY 43 ON TRAIL ✨

PCT DAY 43 ✨

🥾 walked 27.7 miles

📍 mile 653.2

⛰️ elevation 5275 feet

I woke up at 4:30 this morning after a wet, cold, windy, rainy night. My rainfly was weighing me down. Everything outside was soaked. And the cold morning didn’t help. I enjoyed a few final moments in my warm and cozy sleeping bag before finishing camp and hitting the road at 5:30am. Cleo and I planned to walk about 28 miles today, so we agreed to start early.

We left a small pocket in the mountain, over the saddle to a beautiful sunrise over the desert floor, with mountains in the distance. It was one of those “WOW” moments that amaze you. The sun was shining over the distant mountains, absolutely glowing among the softest blues and oranges. While our main concern was crushing miles 10 minutes ago, everything seemed to fade away. Maybe it was because the last few days the weather had been terrible: cold, windy and stormy, with rain and even hail. But this morning’s sunrise was simply spectacular. We breathed in the morning air and enjoyed the stillness and tranquility of the dawn. The first rays of light warming our faces and bodies, warming our souls and spirits. It’s like we’ve never seen the sun before. And in recent days, I certainly felt that way.

We descended the mountain a few miles to a water reservoir (thanks trail angels!) before beginning the first big climb of the day. I felt motivated and rejuvenated by the sun when I started. The first steps were challenging, until I started to gain momentum.

«Step by step, burn by burn, I want a break, I want to stop. But I keep pushing, I keep going, step by step, burn by burn, until I find the momentum. I can’t stop. I won’t stop. I want to crush it. I want to keep going. One foot after another. Now every step feels like power, like I’m getting stronger and stronger. I’m crushing the climb, my energy is on fire and I feel unstoppable. And suddenly I’m climbing the mountain and I’ve reached the top, step by step, burn by burn.

I reached the top full of energy after just over an hour of climbing 4 miles and 1,600 feet of elevation gain. After a short break for water and a snack, I continued on the trail. Sure enough, descending the other side of the mountain as if he didn’t even care about the hard work I did to get to the top. The trail passed through pine trees with tons of birds, squirrels, and chipmunks. Cleo and I stopped for lunch around 14 miles in, hung up our wet sleeping bag, tent and flew out to dry off from the night before as we were still soaked. We had a delicious lunch under some pine trees and birds: my typical two tuna wraps with crispy onion and bacon. I ate some trail mix and also a protein bar. And I sat in the sun. I missed him a lot. It had probably been less than 48 hours since I felt his warmth, and yet I missed him so much. What a difference a sunny day can make in your spirit and outlook. I sat there with the sun burning my crispy skin, my illuminated face soaking up every warm ray.

And yes, of course I had sunscreen.

Cleo and I left lunch around 1pm to hike another 13 miles to Walker Pass, hopefully arriving around 6 o’clock. We’re averaging about 2 1/2 mph, which is a decent pace, not too challenging, and there’s not much climbing left in the day, so we’re ready to put in some miles in the afternoon.

We meandered down the hillside path, leaving the pine trees and entering a dirt road. A few miles along bumps and rough curves took us on a beautiful descent down the mountainside to Walker Pass. And although the views were impressive and the trail was downhill, our bodies and feet felt the long day. 25 miles and just a few more to get to the road. And our feet hurt with almost every step. We really pushed ourselves and walked over 78 miles in the last 3 days. But we did it! We finished our 28 mile day at Walker Pass where the amazing angel of the trail, Sandy aka Wings, picked us up!

We spent the night in Ridgecrest with her to eat in town, take a hot shower (Sandy’s shower is truly amazing), and sleep in a bed. Although I have to be honest, my best sleep is on my two-inch mat, in nature. Sleeping in bed is not so good.

Today we covered 45 kilometers and although our feet need a little love and care, our souls and spirits are lifted. I am very proud of myself and the success I have had so far. Even with the cold, rainy days, the aches and pains, I love every day here. Grateful beyond words.

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