PCT Day 29

The trail provides and provides and provides

(Me, Bee, Oreo, Legend)

PCT Day 29

39.0 miles

Start- 1101.2

End- 1140.2

39.3 miles per day average

I spent most of the morning stumbling over jumbly rocks like a drunken sailor through the Desolation Wilderness under a wildly bright full moon, lighting up all the ponds I was circling around. It was frustrating having to concentrate so hard on staying upright (thank goodness for my hiking pole) but it sure was beautiful!

I was very glad to get out of the park about 20 miles into the day. Back to meadows and sloped hills and butterflies all around. I heard a rumor there might be trail magic at the next road crossing and hoped it would be true; and hoped I might get some help charging all my devices because at this point I’ve been six days on my own and my batteries were running low in every sense.

At first the road looked empty, but then I crossed the street and saw some people with folding chairs and bins of goodies set out on a picnic table at the trailhead. Hallelujah! The trail angels turned out to be Legend and Bee, who live in a camper van and go up the PCT every summer helping out hikers with spaghetti dinners, pancake breakfasts, and inspirational words. I was too early for dinner, but they offered me some snacks and Legend offered some motivational words, which I recorded with his permission and shared with my supporting newsletter members (I can’t figure out how to link from my phone, but it’s in my substack feed)! It’s very heartwarming. He had heard about what I was up to and spoke very highly of Heather (Anish) the current women’s record holder (overall record when she set it). He said I reminded him of her as I was all smiley when I walked in, and he never would have guessed I was walking all those miles every day based on my mannerisms. He appreciated that we both took time to stop and share our stories despite the ongoing hustle.

I shared with Bee how I sent myself fully charged battery with every resupply package, so that I wouldn’t have to stop and charge my stuff in town, which can take hours and hours. My current battery was dead and I asked if she wanted it. She did me one better and said she actually had an older version of the same one, fully charged, and would I like to trade? Wow!!! I was running on empty (phone, tracker, watch, etc) and she basically offered me a lifeboat. She was happy for the upgrade. We both won!

The trail keeps providing and providing and providing thanks to the kindness of strangers in this wonderful nomadic PCT community.

Liz (Mercury)

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