Joat - Pacific Crest Trail Journal - 2013

Re: Powered by Abby's taco pizza

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It's 6pm and sprinkling again. Though it's been doing this off and on all day, this time it seems much colder with the wind.

Even with a late start I've hiked 7 hrs today. After being off trail for so long,
I'm thinking it's time to call it a day, so start looking for a campsite that will be sheltered from this wind.

I should also note that I started out carryinh more than 43# this morning at 10:30. That's thanks in large part to the 15# of water and 12# of food. 3# of the food is in the form of most of an Abby's giant taco pizza. The last time Deb and I indulged in that special treat from our college years was when my brother graduated... sometime in the mid 1980's I
think - too long. I showed great restraint last night, limiting myself to only a couple of pieces, but today was another story. By eating 2-3 slices at every break, I was able to polish the remainder off by 5pm. Adding those 3# to the 6# of water I'd consumed, I'd expected my pack to feel much lighter, but it didn't. It must be the 35# i put on since finishing the pct.

In the area of CV016 I notice a lot of potential campsites, so I get to be picky. The flat spot must be sheltered by well established Junipers that are low enough to the ground, or protected by other smaller trees to cut the increasingly robust wind.

I get the tent set up and crawl in just as the wind and rain seem to get more aggressive. I'm glad I was able to find hefty rocks that will keep the tent pegs anchored.

By 8pm I've climbed into my sleeping bag to work on this entry while the wind howls thru my sheltering Junipers. Another couple of hours hiking in these conditions would have been challenging.

I saw a cotton tail rabbit and several jack rabbits today. I also spooked a dozen deer about half a mile back from CV016. There have been a lot of birds in the trees here where I've camped. Many were sqwaking when I set up camp, and I occasionally hear them still going at it whenever the wind dies down a bit. I met two gentlemen headed for Flatiron rock from hwy 20, but no other people on the trail today.

The best tread was from Flatiron south to hwy 20. Much of the remainder was sort of like beach walking with soft sandy tread. Real good exercise though.

Warm bag and full belly are having their way with me. G'nite folks.

Entry 127 of 127
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