PCT SOBO DAY 122 – Did someone say party?

Day 121

Start: Inspiration Point/Wrightwood, mile 2286.5

End: Dirt road, mile 2299.6

Miles driven: 13.1 miles

Well, it was time to get back to business. Honestly, I still wasn’t feeling up to hiking, but I couldn’t stay in Wrightwood forever. I left the AirBnB at the usual time and ventured to the cafe next door for lunch before hitting the road.

As I walked up the stairs, none other than Sun and the Australian were sitting on the front porch. I knew I would see them again! I ordered and sat down. It turns out that they had already been at the cafe for a while, having arrived earlier in the morning. They were planning to leave the next day.

Sun had successfully replaced his water filter and the Australian’s injured leg was feeling much better. After lunch, I said goodbye knowing that I was moving no faster than them and that I would definitely see them again.

After a quick pull, I found myself back at Inspiration Point and climbing. The trail was a bit messy due to the wildfires that had passed through this area previously. There was a lot of debris piled up everywhere and the smell of ash lingered in the air.

However, the day was still pleasant, the sun was shining but the wind kept me cool. Today I moved slowly and took a lot of breaks. I just didn’t feel like moving. I was tired and always hungry. I needed something to lift my spirits.

After wandering the trail, I found myself at a campsite around 5pm. A sedan smaller than one would expect on these bumpy back roads pulled up, followed a few minutes later by a jeep. While waiting for the jeep to come to a complete stop, the occupants of the car got out. They were young men in their twenties who had just returned to camp from another adventure.

«Hey, are you a hiker? You have to stay, my friend would love to meet you!» One of the guys in the sedan introduced himself and offered me a beer. I couldn’t resist the company and a beer! Especially when I wasn’t in the mood to walk.

When the Jeep stopped, the first man called out to the driver, a young man with long, curly hair: «She’s a PCT hiker, can you believe it?»

«Actually?!» He looked at me amazed. «Today is my birthday and I was hoping to meet a PCT hiker. This is awesome!»

There were about 7 people in their group, all gathered to hike and camp for the curly-haired boy’s birthday. Needless to say, I stayed to attend the party. There were hot dogs, chili, beer, fire, music and lots of jokes. I felt like I was at home with my friends. And they were all very cool. The curly-haired boy was an up-and-coming director who had made music videos for recognizable artists; one girl was a makeup artist; and another girl had just returned from Thailand after working on the TV show Naked and Afraid with Dragonsky, a popular hiker who also won the Triple Crown this year. What a small world!

Once the party started, I didn’t want to leave. I thought about spending the night with them, but I knew I’d probably be agitated again in the morning. Instead, I said goodbye at 12:30 am and walked a bit down the road to a flat spot. How late! You never know what a day on the trail can bring, but today brought me exactly what I needed!

And that’s a day in the life of a PCT SOBO hiker!

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