Location: 8 miles from the Southern terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail
Time: April 26th, 12am-8am
Many hikers have expressed to me the importance of putting aside expectations for this journey. On the first night of our hike, as a raging rain and wind storm blew through the mountains of Southern California I realized it is not realistic for me to expect anything from this hike. Here is a short journal entry I wrote the night after Noah's flood.
In only one day of hiking, one thing I have learned is that expectations are worthless when it comes to hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. Adriana and I arrived at the southern terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail excited to see and hike in flat desert. In all honesty, seeing streams, wildflowers and deep green meadows had definitely not crossed ours minds. Nor did we predict that on our first night of camping we would endure what I have titled "Noah's Flood PCT edition". Although the forecast predicted rain, I scoffed at the notification and laughed at the mere thought that someone would forecast rain in Southern California. Nevertheless, after bragging to Adriana about my awesome new "waterproof" tent, I felt the desire to set it up in wait for this storm that I thought would never come to pass. I fell asleep around 10pm thinking about sunshine.
Approximately 2 hours later I awoke to find that due to water buildup on the roof my "awesome" tent had collapsed and was smashed against my face and sleeping bag. The rain continued to pelt down on my dilapidated tent and I knew that I only had one choice; to go outside in that downpour and fix the problem. I went outside to find that over a gallon of water had collected on the area of roof covering my feet. After dealing with this first issue, I then found that upon re-entering my tent that another 2 liters of the same liquid had gathered underneath my sleeping bag and had soaked through my only hiking outfit. Wonderful. I spent the rest of the night awake, laying in a cold shallow pool of water. By 6 am I was done. Done being wet and cold and done thinking that the desert in Southern California was a dry, flat expanse of sand where it never rained. Laying there in my sleeping bag full of water I realized that this trail is here for us to expect anything. Dropping all expectations for this trail has made me realize that the PCT isn't here to remind us of all that we know, but to reveal how much we still have to learn.
p.s. Later the next day, the sun came out and I was able to dry my clothes and sleeping bag! We are still hiking and still loving everyday. More trail tales to come....
Time: April 26th, 12am-8am
Many hikers have expressed to me the importance of putting aside expectations for this journey. On the first night of our hike, as a raging rain and wind storm blew through the mountains of Southern California I realized it is not realistic for me to expect anything from this hike. Here is a short journal entry I wrote the night after Noah's flood.
In only one day of hiking, one thing I have learned is that expectations are worthless when it comes to hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. Adriana and I arrived at the southern terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail excited to see and hike in flat desert. In all honesty, seeing streams, wildflowers and deep green meadows had definitely not crossed ours minds. Nor did we predict that on our first night of camping we would endure what I have titled "Noah's Flood PCT edition". Although the forecast predicted rain, I scoffed at the notification and laughed at the mere thought that someone would forecast rain in Southern California. Nevertheless, after bragging to Adriana about my awesome new "waterproof" tent, I felt the desire to set it up in wait for this storm that I thought would never come to pass. I fell asleep around 10pm thinking about sunshine.
Approximately 2 hours later I awoke to find that due to water buildup on the roof my "awesome" tent had collapsed and was smashed against my face and sleeping bag. The rain continued to pelt down on my dilapidated tent and I knew that I only had one choice; to go outside in that downpour and fix the problem. I went outside to find that over a gallon of water had collected on the area of roof covering my feet. After dealing with this first issue, I then found that upon re-entering my tent that another 2 liters of the same liquid had gathered underneath my sleeping bag and had soaked through my only hiking outfit. Wonderful. I spent the rest of the night awake, laying in a cold shallow pool of water. By 6 am I was done. Done being wet and cold and done thinking that the desert in Southern California was a dry, flat expanse of sand where it never rained. Laying there in my sleeping bag full of water I realized that this trail is here for us to expect anything. Dropping all expectations for this trail has made me realize that the PCT isn't here to remind us of all that we know, but to reveal how much we still have to learn.
p.s. Later the next day, the sun came out and I was able to dry my clothes and sleeping bag! We are still hiking and still loving everyday. More trail tales to come....
I went on a backpacking expedition up the middle Sister in Oregon once. Hiked in a few miles and set up first camp. It poured all night. By morning we were cold and all our gear was soaked. We hiked back out that morning. Shortest expedition I ever went on.
ReplyDeleteHoney Bear, we met briefly not far north of Lake Morena. Harvey and I were headed south to Kick Off and you and "While She Moves" were on your way north. I am hoping that you will send me a story from your journey or a photo (with a little backstory) that I can post on www.pcttrailsidereader.com
ReplyDeleteYou can e-mail me at pcttrailsidreader@gmail.com or hughes@humboldt.edu . . . hope the hike is going well!
Rees Hughes