Lionheart - Pacific Crest Trail Journal - 2013

Push To Store

Cool morning rabbits
Climbing out of the desert
Sweet smelling pine trees

Mantra for the day: You can hurt hiking slow our you can hurt hiking fast. That definitely was a lesson learned from 2009. Also, I kept dreaming about trail side coconut water stands. With pulp please.

Was on trail by 6 am to take advantage of the cool morning. Camping spot on ridge was perfect as it was a lot warmer than the chilly valley floor.

Over 2000 foot climb today up to Mt. Laguna. At over 5000 feet now with lots of pine trees. But will soon descend to desert floor again. Despite probably only being in the high 80's today, the exposed climb was hot and grueling. The feet are not happy and do not like the heat. Lots of blisters. My goal was to reach Mt. Laguna before the store closed. It was no small fete to roll in at 430 before the store closed at 5. I acutely felt a blister pop and ooze while I was making the final push. Was able to resupply a couple days of food and had to settle for a pacifico beer. I'm getting the violin out now.

Heard about a restaurant down the road and somewhat reluctantly headed that way. Met a guy today who knew me and had followed my journal in 2009. Ended up finding him and a few others at the restaurant. Beer, burger, cobbler.

Now camped near trail, lots of other hikers here. Cowboy camped again and the wind it's blowing through the tall pines.

Entry 37 of 208
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