Day 11 – 2 Apr 19. I Have a Trail Name.

Today 27.1 km (16.9 mi) + 2.2 km (1.4) Stupidity Miles, Total Distance 211.8 km (131.6 mi). 8 hours 40 minutes (0725-1300, 1500-1710)

It was nice sleeping with the soothing sound of the small stream and frogs nearby. By the time I went to sleep the snorer had stopped and it was a surprisingly quiet night considering how close we were.

People started rustling around at 0615 and I started myself 15 minutes later. We were all ready around the same time and left at 0725.

The first part of the trail was along the river and there were a few river crossings but all of them I was able to keep my feet dry using the rocks or tree trunks to get across. I watched some of the others crossing and it is a skill I am sure they will gain more confidence in.

I really enjoyed this part. The trail was still in the big trees and there were a couple of new flowers. I left the rest behind as they stopped to talk to the rest of their trail family who had not fitted in the campsite and had to move up the trail.

Shortly afterwards the trail started climbing up away from the stream. It was a nice steady climb and I was feeling good, apart from my right shin being a bit tight. I stretched as usual but this time the effect was much shorter.

I seemed to have lots of energy and if I did not pay attention I would pick up speed and go haring up the hill, not in line with my week 2 plan of easing into the speed and distance. This was a constant issue for the first few hours. I was catching a steady stream of people as I powered up the hill.

Once the main climb was done the trail went around the side of the hill and the views looking back at where I was yesterday were great. Looking forward was some interesting rocky terrain.

At a campsite I stopped and did a full stretching routine before taking a break and eating some snacks. My shins were much better after this until the next down hill.

The trail went though a neat rocky section before dropping down to a stream bed. Now there were more trees, though short, including a Pine.

Now it was winding along the side of the hill which means slowly dropping to a dry stream bed then slowly climbing to the spur and repeat. Today I was not minding this and loving every minute.

To my surprise one of the streams actually had water in it though it looked pretty bad, being a milky colour highlighted by large patches of algae. Thankfully I had enough water to last.

After a while the trail crossed a saddle and was now on the other side of the hill, looking back at the valley we started in this morning. Looking down there was a clear line at a stream where one side was green and the other dry, rocky and sparse vegetation.

As I climbed along the side of the hill I was looking at the interesting patterns on the rocks and the neat shapes.

Shortly after the trail rounded the hill and I was now looking at a completely different vista. Large rounded boulders scattered all over the hillside and below dry rock slabs. Today was great in terms of variety.

Near the end of this section I hit the 200 km mark and started looking for a place to take a photo. The ground was too hard for my hiking pole so I could not use this as a tripod like normal. I was looking or a rock of the right height when a hiker came around the corner and agreed to take my photo. I tried scratching the 200 into the ground but couldn’t see it so we used rocks to mark the 200. The hiker, either Jaz or Taz, took some photos and was on his way. I tidied up the trail hiding evidence of being the diehard metric person.

From here I started to lose some of my energy and both shins got worse. I stopped for a break and did another stretching routine and ate some more but this didn’t help much. It was now a climb and I was in plod mode and started to get overtaken. Once guy that overtook me had skin tight short shorts and I was wondering how he was not getting chaffed as his thighs were constantly moving against each other. It was mesmerizing watching.

For some reason the stretching had changed the position of my shorts and I started getting chafing again. I think the dust and sand gets into my shorts and as water is scarce I have not washed them as much as I should. I have never had chafing issues with these shorts which is why I am using them again.

The trail was now in the open scrub terrain and started heading down. I was sad to see a dead lizard on the side of the trail. It must have died recently as it had not been eaten. I was surprised that its stomach was so brightly coloured.

At a sharp corner I saw two hikers putting their packs on. For some reason they looked like day hikers but may have been ultralight hikers. I think it is because they looked clean. I said Hi as I went past and they said hi back. I thought nothing of this until much later when this encounter would become more significant.

Shortly afterwards the trail came out at a dirt road and across the road was some trail magic. The Lost Valley Scout Res Trail Angels had left a chilly bin (cool box) full of oranges, lemons, tea, sugar, salt and lollies. There was also a register so I put my name and a big thank you.

I thought I must only be a mile or two from Mike’s Place where I could refill my water. I headed up a steady hill, eating my orange. It was a good hill and I was puffing. I continued up, looking back once and commenting in a video at the house down below.

Up and up I climbed. I stopped to filter the last of my water into my front bottles and a hiker caught me. We had a short conversation and I realised that I had missed Mikes Place.The place I commented about was Mike’s Place.

It was 32 km (20 mi) to the next water so I had to go all the way back down the hill to the road and up the road to Mikes Place turnoff then down his drive. I stopped at the water tank then followed the path through what looked like a junk yard to get to the fantastic facility Mike makes available for hikers.

There were only a few people there, all of whom I knew. I heard drums and went around the back to where Satyr was playing and being recorded.

I went back to the front and talked with Dharma Camel, Steel Belt and Just Awesome. They were interesting guys and it is neat seeing how people of such different backgrounds are bonded by their commitment to leave their normal jobs for 5-6 months to walk the length of their country.

I had actually been given some trail name suggestions recently so I asked the guys what the thought of the suggestions and it was unanimous that Handmade was the best so that is now my trail name.

Trail names are something done on the American long trails. It is a way of acknowledging that what you were before the hike doesn’t matter as you are a new person on the trail. The names reflect something personal, something you have done or something you become known for. Several names are really funny and whatever the name it is a good story in how you got it. General etiquette is that you need to be given a name and do not come up with your own name, though some do.

So my reason for being called Handmade is because of having made my pack, some clothes and some pouches for this hike. People are really surprised that I made my pack, generally inspecting it when they find out. I keep saying it is not that hard but people just think I am being modest. I am not, it really isn’t hard.

I had lunch and then just hung out talking before deciding to move on. Mike was not there and there were rumours that there may be pizza that night so several people were staying. Two others, Duchess and The Duke, were also planning to move on and camp near where I planned to.

Me with Just Awesome

On my way back to the trail I refilled some more water so I now had 4.5 litres for the 32km (20 mile) stretch. That combined with still having 5 dinners and 4 days of everything else meant this was the heaviest my pack has been by far. I felt it for the first 5 minutes then stopped noticing it.

I took the proper track back to the PCT and saw the large sign with bright writing.

At the time I wondered how an earth I could have missed the sign but as I was walking I remembered the two people standing by the sharp corner. I am pretty sure they were standing in front of the sign, and didn’t think to question why I was not going to Mikes Place. It was completely my fault for not keeping a closer eye on my distance but it would have been nice for them to say something, especially as they were blocking the sign.

Now it was deja view as I crossed the road, past the Trail Magic and up the hill again. When I got to the point I turned around I checked the distance and I had gone 1.1 km so that meant I had a stupidity tax of 2.2 km (1.4 mi).
I continued up the hill and it was a big hill.

I had more energy again but my shins were still tight, right on the boarder of changing from tight to sore. The trail climbed, and climbed and climbed. The views to the right were nice enough to be distracting and I just plodded.

There were no other people as I was in the lull. Anyone who cleared Warner Springs yesterday afternoon was at Mike’s Place or heading there. Few were continuing on. Those who were at Mike’s place yesterday had also moved on so now there was a quiet patch with no other hikers.
The trail finally flattened out and went along the side of a very steep hill and under Combes Peak. It was really windy and I looked up to see grey clouds for the first time this hike. It was starting to get cold so I put my sleeves down.

Now the trail dropped steeply, well steep for PCT. It was a sustained downhill that was turning my legs to jelly. I really took my time and finally the downhill was finished and I was at the campsite.

The first campsite had room for about 5 tents but was sloping. It was also still quite windy there. There was another campsite 0.1 mile ahead so I decided to check it out and it was perfectly flat and much more sheltered. There is room for at least 3 tents but it is just me. I was very happy to have stopped on my longest day.

Setting up my tent I needed to be careful of the ant nests. I had a couple try climb my leg but they largely left me alone. I have learnt to check for ant nests before putting my tent down as others have had issues with this.

For dinner I had something other than Instant Potato and Tuna for the first time. I had half of the freeze dry I got at Warner Springs. It was Backcountry Pad Thai and was really nice.

The temperature dropped quickly and I was very glad to snuggle into my sleeping bag after a good days hiking.

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