Pacific Crest Trail: Belden-Drakesbad

Day 39- July 21st
1284.43-1304.78 (20.3)

Two am pee breaks, train noises and brownies to start off our day! We went back to sleep and then woke up to catch the 6 am "shuttle" to the trail. We began our day aware that we would be climbing but not aware of how much. We ended up climbing almost 7,000 feet in elevation throughout the day completing only 12 miles before 1:30 lunch break. I was certainly hot and sweaty but I felt like I was moving quick even though I was not. I enjoyed delicious banana bread and Nutella for lunch and then finished out the day with another 7ish miles. With few camps around, there was quite a gathering of people at the campsite. Two younger guys at camp decided that they could get to town (24 miles away) today and literally got out of their sleeping bags and started walking at 7:30 pm. All of us were teasing them about finding them down trail 5 miles when we got up in the morning so we shall see!! It was nice getting to know some new people at camp and joke around about some odd shaped tree stumps that we passed throughout the day.

Day 40
1304.78-1330.52 (25.75)

Our full campsite cleared out early this morning as people were headed for the PCT midpoint and Chester for a town stop. We made it to the halfway point by about 2 o'clock for a long lunch. There I learned that I was out of water and that the next water wasn't for another 5 miles. I quickly packed up my things and headed down the mountain. At the water source I met the two guys who are packing out trash from the PCT (there's an article on them somewhere) and learned that one of them, Spice, lived in Missoula working for conservation corps for 4 years. He and I talked about familiar places and then made our way down trail to find some trail magic at the highway. Plums, popcorn, water, trash bags, Gatorade, all the goods! Marissa and I opted to walk on down trail a few more miles making today our biggest mile day yet! It actually felt much easier than I imagined; however, a few new blisters have formed over the last couple of weeks and they are getting to the point that I may need to cut them and drain them. Perhaps an activity for tomorrow!

Day 41- July 23rd
1330.52-1354.56 (24.54)

The morning was quite easy before the heat picked up. We crossed paths with the same people as we have the last few days and seem to be holding fairly similar paces. The afternoon heat began to take its toll on my new blisters and my hobble walk was returning after any pauses/breaks. We strolled into Drakesbad guest ranch around 1:30/2 o'clock and proceeded to take a glorious (and free!) shower. There was a nice shower/bathhouse by a hot spring and then a sign that read "PCT shower" with an arrow pointing to the back. The shower was outdoors and was next to a small river. The water was warm, there was soap, AND there were towels. After scrubbing and just standing in the shower for a while I dried off with the crisp white towel only to find that I was still staining it brown with leftover dirt. Oh well, it would only be a short while before I would cover myself in dirt again. After grabbing my resupply box, organizing my food, draining my blisters, and socializing with other hikers, we took off for another 8 miles. Once at camp, Marissa and I were both a bit grouchy but after some food we both talked about how easy it is to get caught up in little frustrations and the mental challenges that have come along with the trail. At the end of the day, I can look back and honestly say that I love where I am and that I love what I am doing.