Back on Trail, Sierra City & Out of the High Sierra – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [30]

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Part 29 ‘A Week Off-trail for 4th July with Rex!’ 

(Continuing after day 90, on the 27/06, when I left the trail for a week and a half off to celebrate 4th July)

(note: apologies for the lack of photos in this post)

Day 91 (08/07) – Donner Pass

After leaving Rex at Reno, I headed back to Truckee. I needed to get back to Donner Pass where I left the PCT just over a week before. I met up again with Karen (who let me stay with her the first time I arrived in Truckee). We had a few drinks together, and finally dinner too at a bar. She then dropped me off at 4 or 5pm at the trailhead, and we said our second farewell.

As I started hiking, a Romanian hiker named Chef caught up to me, and we hiked briefly together until the highway, only 3 miles ahead. There, a further three hikers sat around on a break at the rest area (two of which I met on the bus getting back to Truckee).

We all hiked on, the trail free of snow at that point, and hiked up Castle Pass. When we got down the other side, the snow returned, but at a manageable level. We slogged through it, to Peter Grubb hut, where we intended to stay. The hut was incredible, with a fireplace, kitchen area, double-story outhouse, second floor for sleeping, etc. It was built when a bunch of people died when snowed in the area – so it had access to the upper levels via ramps if the snow was high.

One of the hikers hiked with a gallon bladder of red wine! I had several cups whilst chatting away and felt tipsy by the time I went to bed.

Distance hiked: 7 miles (11 km)

Total PCT hiked: 1160.5 miles (1,867 km)

Day 92 (09/07) – Below 8000 feet (2.44 km) Elevation Finally!

I woke at 5am, somewhat dazed after the certain sweet red beverage from the night before. Everyone was asleep, so I decided to not do breakfast, and just lack up and leave. I was outside within half hour, and made use of the outdoor organic waste receptacle, so I didn’t have ago dig a snow hole later.

The hut was completely surrounded by snow. ‘It’s fine… I’m completely used to this‘ I think to myself, a little disappointed due to the fact I was hoping for a clear trail for at least one whole day! After five or so miles, the snow became very minimal and patchy, and my hiking rate sped up.

Soon enough, once we stayed below 8000 feet (2.44 km) (also the last time we go above that altitude for the rest of the trail), it was easy miles – 10, 15, 20… they kept coming! I hadn’t done more than 19 miles a day in the Sierras at all!

I sat down to work out a potential campsite ahead, not really knowing how far I wanted to get. As I pondered, a girl approached out of nowhere. Her name was 3G (from bringing 3 gallons of water on day 1 in the desert, which was completely unnecessary!). She had just skipped from Kennedy Meadows (a lot of hikers are trying to skip past the snow). We hiked together, and I was surprised to see she was a fast hiker, despite her small size.

We pushed on hard, and by the evening, I was getting weary. Eventually, at around 8pm, we camped 3 miles shy of Sierra City by a large river.

Distance hiked: 32 miles (51.5 km)

Total PCT hiked: 1192 miles (1,918.34 km)

Day 93 (10/07) – Sierra City

3G and I left our camp at 7am and hiked the last 3 miles to the road that connects to Sierra City (a HUGE city of some 200 people, haha). We got a short hitch in and were dropped off at the General Store, where Rex and I had previously sent a package. I ordered a Gutbuster burger with chips and a vanilla milkshake. I also ended up buying several snacks to add to my food stores. The resupply box that Rex and I made back to her parent’s place I decided to send on without opening, as it was too much food. If I didn’t open it, I could bounce ahead for free.

I waited there for several hours waiting for my power bank to charge, drinking copious amounts of coke and sprite via refills. I then set off back to the trailhead via another short hitch.

The first section was a steep long climb from 4500 feet, to 7400 feet. It was hot and tedious, but still ridiculously easy compared to snow-covered trail that I had been on previously.

The vegetation on the trail had changed up noticeably from the higher Sierras. It was also so nice to walk on the endless trail, and I began passing other hikers on the trail. It felt like being back in the desert again, where we saw more people.

I arrived at the campsite I had chosen, where two other hikers were setting up. One of them recognised me (even though I didn’t recognise him). He asked if I was in REI (sports store) in San Diego and remembered me buying Altra branded shoes. So it turns out, he was actually the first PCT hiker I met. He just started much later (skipped more of the Sierras than me, putting us in a similar spot). His name was Jukebox and his partner was Scorch. Another couple arrived (Snapper and Michigan), followed by 3G and two other guys (Booboo and T-Funk). We all shared stories around the campfire. It was nice to have some others to share camp with for a change.

Distance hiked: 17 miles (27.36 km)

Total PCT hiked: 1209 miles (1,945.7 km)

Next Post:

Part 31 ‘New Faces and Many Miles’ 

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