It’s only day 2? Jeez. Time has slipped back into trail time, wherein every day lasfs a week.
Well… mile 22 and change. I got to Lake Morena at about 2, drank about 2 liters of blissfully chill water, and tore the crap out of my pack. Meaning I dumped about two pounds of stuff. Flipflops? Gone! Pretty green bandana? Trash! It’s fire sale time, just like at Neels Gap. At least I packed my stuff out. Other hikers are just dumping crap willy-nilly. Today I saw a pair of zip-off pants, a pair of boxer briefs, two pairs of Smartwool socks, a double egg foam mattress, and a five-pound jar of peanut butter. That first massive water carry is no joke. This is the desert, baby! Hot, hot heat.
I’m not the slowest nor the most out of shape hiker out here.
The heat continues to be brutal. It’s supposed to be cooler tomorrow, though.
Critter report: Saw a HUGE rabbit, a marmot, a lot of tiny dragon lizards, some spotted gecko things, some birds that are different from East Coast birds. I didn’t see a rattlesnake, but I apparently just missed one.
This is a real United Nations of a trail. In two days I’ve met people from New Zealand, France, the UK, Sweden, Germany, Canada. For a while it seemed lile the Americans were in the minority. Most are in their 20s . A few are older. I’ve only met one other solo female–and she happens to have done the AT in 2013 and is also from Philly. She grew up in Lansdale. How weird is that! We’ll see if our paths. cross again.
It’s strange to be around people doing their first trail. Like… people sometimes ask me things, and sometimes I have an answer for them. Mostly, though, I’m just not phased by things. They’re more phased, if you know what I mean.
I’m continuing my tradition of falling every day. Yesterday I fell once, but today I took two nasty ones, one of which gave me every kid’s badge of honor–a bloody knee. 🙂 That issue should resolve now that my pack is literally 20 pounds lighter. There aren’t any huge waterless stretches tomorrow–11 miles, I think. Which is good, be ause my shoulders HURT.
I wish I were doing more miles, as usual, but overall I”m OK with it. Eleven to 12 miles ain’t bad after 800 zeroes!
This trail is much more wildernessy than the AT. Glad I did the other one first.
Telephone signal is really spotty out here. Not sure when this’ll go out or in what order. (Also, I can’t vet the photos on the phone. Sorry if they’re upside down!) 😀
Karma on the PCT 
Ah. The confidence of a grizzled veteran is all over you! I was stationed in the Mojave for four (yah wind and sun blasted for 4 f-ing) years. The sidewinders are actually very small compared to timber rattlers. They bury themselves in the sand and, curled up, they’re about the size of a pancake. Save your pancakes for town. 😉
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Reblogged this on A fork in the road and commented:
My friend Linda “Karma” Daly is hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. She’s an excellent story teller and hardcore hiker. Consider following her blog. You won’t be disappointed.
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Go 2013 AT-ers! Are you liking the umbrella yet? 😄 I must be at the “horribly nostalgic” stage of wanting to get back out on the trail as I went “oh, I miss dirty hiker legs!” when I saw the pic – with no sarcasm. Loved your description of the Lake Morena come to Jesus pack shakedown!
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The umbrella has been amazing! 🙂
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There you are, right where you are!! A veteran hiker. I feel like Im in the role of veteran hiker blog reader. This feels good. You go girl!!
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One step at a time! Currently at mile 42…
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Go Karma Go!!! But stay upright.
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We do our best! =D
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Ouch! It is s good looking battle scar! Played golf today with Tom, Mark, and Bob. Were your ears ringing? I will give them another update tomorrow. Amazing that you met a hiker from Lansdale! That’s too weird, really. I’m glad you made it through that dry stretch. Sounds like you’re meeting some interesting people and I bet it’s nice to see that your fitness level isn’t so bad. Hey, try to stay upright tomorrow, OK? I’ll round up some energy from the morning crew tomorrow and sling it your way and as always, May The Force Be With You! LRLRLR
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I miss the crew!
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I’m excited to be following you! I read your AT journey last month, so it feels like you’ve hardly been off trail! l recently started working at REI, here in KC, and a gentleman came in to pick up last minute supplies for his PCT thruhike. He probably started the hike Wednesday or so, so if you meet a guy from Kansas City, tell him the REI clerk is rooting for him! And you! I’m hoping to hike the AT, and was happy to hear you’re glad you did that one first, as I think your order is how I’ll want to do them, as well. Watch out for the snakes! I’m terrified, so hopefully, you’ll only see them from a distance!
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