The Pacific Crest Trail

Planes, Trains and Automobiles... or Feet?

2010-10-28T09:34:00.000-07:00

The Pacific Crest Trail. Those words mean so much more than, that. It is more than a trail, it is more than just walking, and it is more than long. It is a life. It is a people. A life I can't believe I was blessed to be a part of and people I dearly have come to love. When a Thru-Hiker is asked what stands out most about the trip to them it is ALWAYS the people, the fellow hikers, the trail angels, the strangers in town who take you in, and the people at home making it all possible. Yes we are out in the middle of remote wildernesses, places most will never get to see, far removed from the "world", but... never are we mistaken for who we are, and that is relational. After hiking by yourself for over a hundred miles in some of the most rugged terrains, seeing glacier covered volcanoes and endless wildernesses spectacles you can't help but be awed by it all so much so that for those moments nothing else can seem as real, but truth be as you walk along the tidal longing to be with others and share, be, and laugh makes you realize that what is real, real close to our hearts are those we share it with and that my friends is what it is ALL about. We have been challenged, tried and pushed to our limits fighting fatigue physically and emotionally, hunger, pain, and the veiled elements awaiting us at every turn but what I have learned the most out here is how MUCH people mean to me and what I would do to protect that. To all my peeps from the trail, I LOVE YOU ALL!

2,663 miles across the Western US, 5 National parks, 25 National and state wildernesses, the longest continuous mountain range in North America the Sierras, part of the ring of fire along the Cascades, the barren desert of the Anzo-Berrego and the Mojave, and most recently and most remote the snow covered Northern Cascades. Triple digits, waterless desert, to frozen alpine, glacier covered granite peaks soaring 14,000 feet high and everything in between we have seen it. It has been a journey of monstrous proportions, a true Epic. We have learned to deal with harsh weather, little food, no water, long miles and endless climbs, but we stuck to our commitment and didn't give up, and I am proud of everyone and honored to have been a part of it all! My life well NEVER be the same. Thank you GOD.

Randy

Vancouver, BC

2010-10-11T12:27:00.000-07:00

And like that, my hike of the Pacific Crest Trail is over. I reached the northern terminus on October 9th in the afternoon. Right now i'm in Vancouver, and the reality of being done with my hike and reentering society has sadly set in. As I sit here in an internet cafe in a large sprawling city with the sounds of traffic, congested streets and sidewalks, the smells of exhaust pipes, cigarettes, fried food, and garbage, waiting in lines, having to use the restroom and being denied because i'm not a customer, bright lights, hip people, potted plants, and so on and so on, I can't help but dearly miss the life that i'll be leaving behind. It's difficult for me to describe what this hike has been and how it has changed me. The challenges that it has presented both physical and mental have been the greatest that i've had to overcome in my life and by far the most rewarding. The simplicity of life in the backcountry must be experienced by all. The country that i've seen the last 5 months has been nothing short of breathtaking and the people that i've met along the way have been amazing. There are a lot of people that need to be thanked and i'll try to get them all. My mom, my sister, and the rest of my family, Sherry Fitch, Sue Hernberg and family, Anita (Renees mom), Annie and everyone at G&H office, Andy Thomas, Niki Palmer, Sam Alvaray, Shawn Ross, Paul Wagner, Chris Gaus, Dolores Steinman and family, the Saufleys, Quart Keyes, the Andersons, Lloyd Gust, the Dinsmores, all the trail angels that maintain water and food caches along the trail, anyone that ever gave me a ride into town or back to the trail, anyone that ever randomly gave me food either in town or on the trail, all the hikers that shared a part of this journey with me, Dozer, Crow, Dundee, Medic, Flyboy, Ace, Two Step, Walker Texas Ranger, Wreckless, Spartan, Terrapin Flyer, Granite, Happy Feet, Pockets, B-Cat, the Pro from Dover, Flanel, the Lone Ginger, Brains, Cash, Moonshadow, GI Joe, Scorpion, Bluefeather, and countless others that I met along the way, thru hikers, section hikers, day hikers, we all share a common bond, and that is our love of the backcountry and all that it has to offer. It was with the help and encouragement from all of you and so many others that this dream of hiking the pacific crest trail became a reality. Thank you!!!! And so i'm off now. Back to my hostel here in the city where i'll get my stuff organized and slowly work my way back into society. I look forward to seeing all of my family and friends soon. Until the next adventure...... J

Bend, OR - mile 2,000

2010-09-17T16:02:00.000-07:00

A short update.

We are in Bend, OR pretty much on trail mile 2,000 and heading out in the morning to finish off the state and into Washington! It is starting to hit me that this is going to be over sooner than I think and that is bitter sweet. The nights under the stars, the comfort of the wilderness and the friendships you gain while on such a journey is going to be hard to leave. The trail has become my home and it feels weird being in a town for more than two days, I wonder what it's going to be like when I return to reside in such a setting... As much as it is hard sometimes out here because of the demand of mileage, it is still where I have become to love being, just me and my pack with an ever suprising wilderness around every corner. I am now hiking with a great group of hikers and reunited with two of my favorites, Fred (Crow) and Renee (Dundee), also in our group is Walker, Pajamas, JC, and Uncle Gary and it has made such a change in the hike being with them! With less than 700 miles to go every few days another 100 goes down and the end is beginning to encroach itself on us and I feel almost a resistance to it. A part of me will forever remain on this 18 inch wide piece of dirt that streches 2,663 miles across the West.

Well I dont really know what to say right now, but that I am returning to the trail and heading North. I will be seeing many of you quite soon and I dearly look forward to that, until then keep us in your prayers and to the guys ahead... Much Love, Miss you All! J, I'll be seeing you in FL!! Good luck if I dont see you before then! Much Love to ALL.
-Randy

Ashland, OR Mile 1,730

2010-08-29T12:34:00.000-07:00

Hello all!! I'm no longer in Cali!! Crossed the border about a day or so ago. It was pretty amazing moving across and entering a new state. I WALKED the entire state of California!!! How ridiculous does that sound? Haaa!! I gotta say i'm glad to be in Oregon now, but i'm gonna miss California and thank it for all the wonderful memories it gave me. A truly beautiful state for hiking. Since my last post i've hiked through some great country. In particular the Marble Mountain Wilderness stands out as some of the best hiking i've done so far. Just gorgeous. Saw a total of four bears in just 2 days in this area. It supposedly has the highest concentration of bears in all of California. Really wild place. Still feeling good right now after getting some rest and will be back on the trail shortly. As Randy mentioned we haven't seen each other in about a month, but I do hope to see him before we reach the border. If you're reading this brother, congratulations on hiking the state of California. Unfortunately my camera broke and I wasn't able to take any photos this last section, but i'm sure Randy is taking some great photos that will be up soon. I did just get a new camera here in Ashland thanks to the efforts of my mom and my sister. Thanks guys!! Love ya!! So i'm really looking forward to hiking Oregon. I've only been in the state for about 30 miles but I can already tell the difference. Something in the air. I'll be hiking in Oregon for about 2-3 weeks. The terrain seems to be a bit easier compared to some of the drastic elevation changes experienced in California, but i'm sure it will offer just as much beauty. Once again i'm off into the woods. Until next time. J

Mount Shasta, CA mile 1,510

2010-08-26T08:34:00.000-07:00

10,000 feet above the town of Shasta is Mt. Shasta, a massive volcanoe covered in glaciers. Everywhere I turn there is the immensity of it's size, the lure of it's beauty and the grandeur of it's power and I am at once stuck by the overwhelming sensation that.... this but a speck, a measly little speck of the GLORY of our God. It is but a mere reflection of His Be-U-tAaAaAaA!!! This wonderful creation we're told early in history is for US to subdue and rule over, it was a gift to US form God. I mean really a gift, what kind of giver is this God to have done such a thing? The same God I am reminded by everyday that His love for us is BOUNDLESS by the grace shown through His son, Christ. He also gave us His son.... am I that selfish that I can spend the length of my days thinking about what "I" want and what "I" would like to do or what "I" would like to have, all the while the most amazing thing my heart could fathom is right here, waiting for me to just LET HIM LOVE ME. I don't want this journey to become about ME and what I have done, but what I "Cant" do. And that is be good. I will easily waste away the greatest gift ever given if I am left to my self to hold it. But you know what.... God is faithful and HE pursues US, so not only did HE create all this AND give us the grace HE has but HE will also come after us! Come after us??? Am I running? Running away from God? The only one that will ever satisfy my deepest longings, that has made this amazing place we live in that I am awe struck by its beauty everyday. Lord have mercy on me that I dont miss the Forest for the trees... Well I wont make this some personal long letter dont worry. I just wanted to remove the vail to the ONE that is to be seen through all this. The reason I have a insatiable longing for adventure and for the wild is because my GOD is 'Wild'. The reason I can exprience everything that a human can is because I live and move and have my being in HIM. And that is Glorious, that is why I am out here!

So to update you on where we are, we are in Mount Shasta, CA on the 1,510 mile marker with just over 1,100 miles left and 50 days to CANADA!! WO-who!!! I am currently hiking with who has become a great friend WALKER TEXAS RANGER! a.k.a. David William Allen. I have not seen Jason in almost a month, but that is okay, we're stll great friends and will remain friends, we're just hiking our own hikes right now and that is good! We still may finish together, who knows, but what I do know is that both of us are having an amazing life changing exprience out here with all the scenery and the great people, it is going to be difficult to end, as this has become our life and will always DEEPLY remain a part of us. We are entering Oregon this week and looikng forward to the wilderness canvas also known to us humans as the mountians in Fall with the cool temps, foggy mornings and amazing colors being painted across the landscapes!!! Can't wait!!!! Well I got to go as we must stay on the move and there are things to be done, but until next time, much Love to all and to all a good night, lol j/k no really much love to all!
-Randal Jared Fitch

Chester, CA Mile 1,335

2010-08-13T13:21:00.000-07:00

So I've made it to the halfway point of this trip and I feel great. The number from here on out will get smaller. After spending a day here in Chester and getting some things done I'm ready to head back into the woods. The last couple of weeks have been great. I did some hiking by myself for the first time leaving Tuolumne Meadows and had my first day on the trail with virtually no human contact whatsoever. It's interesting the things you'll do and think when there is no one around. The trail has treated me well. Great weather, good people. The terrain has changed again and now dense forests have become the norm. Much more wildlife it seems. I've been seeing lots of deer lately. They come around camp at night making you think there's a bear, but its actually just some deer rummaging around. And the wildflowers are just exploding all over the place. I've even seen my favorite flower growing wild out here. The Lily, growing wild right on the trail. Their aroma permeates the air as I skip along. Couldn't make me feel better. I finally had my first bear encounter also near Squaw Valley. A mama bear with her two cubs. It was extremely exciting to finally see one out in the wild. She didn't get aggressive with me at all, just kinda stood her ground and looked at me with as much curiosity as I was looking at her. She signalled to her cubs and they bolted up a pine tree to the top like monkeys. It was amazing. I had no idea they could move like that. Before I took off I snapped a picture of the mama bear. That pic should be up soon. So like I said, the trail has been good to me. I have been receiving all kinds of trail magic from wonderful trail angels that I have encountered along the way. The first was just before Carson Pass as I was crossing Blue Lakes road a car pulled over and the passenger began taking pictures of me, so after posing for a couple of pics I kindly asked them if they had any cold beverages for a thirsty hiker and they invited me over and gave me some ice cold water, an apricot oat cake the size of a hockey puck, and a handful of teriyaki beef jerky. Then, just after Carson Pass as I was heading to camp by Showers Lake I met a gentleman named Tyler whom I camped with that evening that was gracious enough to give me his sandwich that he had made for himself earlier that day. Turkey, ham, bacon, muenster cheese, and more bacon. Stuff like this is worth gold I told him. That same night at Showers Lake me and Tyler had the good fortune of meeting 3 amazing day hikers that shared their campfire with us. That's not all they shared either. They had packed out a BBQ grate and grilled a huge strip of marinated skirt steak, a massive pork chop stuffed with apples and fresh herbs, and artichokes. And just before I thought it couldn't get any better it just so happened that one of them owned a vineyard in Sonoma County and pulled out a bottle of 2005 Merlot from his own grapes. Unbelievable the way the trail provides sometimes. A couple of days after that while I was hiking with Medic by Robertson Lake, we stumbled upon two gentlemen that were camping with their kids and they invited us over to their campsite for some beers, food, and conversation. They boiled up some crawdads that their kids had fished out that afternoon and gave us doughnuts, a sandwich, Coors lights, and a glass of wine even. We walked out of there grinnin with a belly full of food and good laughs. Even got some cold drinks and cookies from some ladies the other day that were pickin up pine cones up at one of the trail heads. Sure picks up the spirits when you've been hiking all day and someone is kind enough to share. Good people. Thank you once again. So i'm back off to the trail again. There are only about 350-400 miles left in California and then Oregon comes up. The daily mileage has picked up a bit the past couple of weeks also. At this point in the hike a lot of people are worrying about making it to the border on time before Washington gets hit with nasty weather. Myself, i'm not stressing about it. I'm here on this trail to enjoy my hike day to day. If I can make it to the border that's great, but if I don't i'll be just as happy and content. So until next time, much love to all. J

South Lake Tahoe, CA (mile 1,098)

2010-08-02T19:36:00.000-07:00

Wow, hey, yo, gees. Are we walking today? Again? Yep!!!! says the little voice in my head as I crack open my exhaustion sealed shut eyes, and lift my numb swollen feet out of my tent to stand. Nah, it's not really that bad, close... It actually is kinda hard to get up every morning when you feel like you just walked 25 miles the day before with 30 pounds on your back up and down thousands of feet in elevation loss and gain. But hey, that's what we do. We DO IT. Thats that. Then,... the sun rises and BAM there's those gorgeous mountians again filrting with your will and emotion, taunting you to just SMILE your cheeks off! HAHA. God has His ways of showing you it's SOOOOOO worth it! He is the BOMB at this creation business and the MASTER imaginator when it comes to GLORIOUS disposal of BE-U-TAAAA!!!! It seems so far but so close, those 1,500 miles to the Candian border. We will, oh yes we will! And God is going to get us there, because HE brought us out here. Even if it is through snow, rain, and almost unbearable cold tempratures, we will walk across the finish, as it is not my feet I trust, but whose hands are carring me. So, this is what going on, I am in South Lake Tahoe with a friend named Walker Texas Ranger, yes, thats his trail name, and yes, he does look like Walker Texas Ranger, and he hikes like him too. He got a water bourne illness the other day and was violently vomiting and losing water. So because he couldn't keep fluids down and was dehydrating out in the heat, it was too dangerous to stay out and push. Thank God we had just passed a small road leading to a lake about 11 miles from a recognizable HWY, so we back tracked and got a hitch into Tahoe 25 trail miles before our expected entry. Got him to a doctor and now he is laid up in the room trying to rehydrate and get some calories in so we can hopefully return to the trail on Wendsday the 4th. Can't let something like that set in as it could take you right out the trip, time is precious and miles long, so eat up and hike on... The passed section we hiked thru was Yosemite and Carson Wilderness. WOW! Spectaculousioh-wow! Saw three bears on the trail, pretty cool. One made a false charge at me and I had to show him who was in control! LOL, no really, it scared me, but I did what you have to do... Run at it, and he ran! Pretty neat to scare a bear, am i that hairy? LOL! Yosemite was all that and some, got into the valley to see Half Dome, El Capitan and Yosemite Falls (the highest falls in North America) which we hiked in recorded time! 2,700 ft UP in 3.2 miles, pretty much a 8.5 grade,It would take a average hiker abot 2 1\2 to 4 hours to hike up, we did it in 1 hour and 20 minutes ;)Then we ran down the 2,700ft in 40 minutes!!! Crazy fast! Then back on the PCT we had a section called the 'Ringer' which was 5 caynons that we climbed in and out of...woe talk about a butt woopin. We did it over two 28 mile days and got to Bridgeport climbing over the amazing Levitt Peak back down to Sonora Pass! Oh how could I forget this, for any of you who know about FL mosqitoes, you ain't seen NOTHING. They are so bad it is like walking into a wall of fuzz. They are vicious out here. Like that last standing vampire who thinks it's going exticnt. You can't stop, we hit some swarms and have to crank out at 4miles per hour just so they can't feast to heavely on us. Can't wait till their season is over... Well got lots of nothing to do, which may I say, IS something we try to do. LOL I need it, to let my body reconstuct for the up coming 300 mile push North of Quincy where we will be stopping next! Love you all and dearly miss you all, really! -DOZER a.k.a. Randy

Mammoth Lakes, CA mile 908

2010-07-22T18:25:00.000-07:00

Wow, almost a month since our last post. It's been a great time. First thing we did was take about 8 days off the trail to attend the High Sierra music festival in Quincy, CA. We all volunteered for about 16 hours each and were given 4 day passes to the festival. It was a merry ol time. We got to see all kinds of musical acts. The Avett Brothers, Karl Denson, Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Railroad Earth, Cornmeal, Trombone Shorty, The Radiators, Trampled By Turtles, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Black Crowes, Widespread Panic, Zach Deputy, Bela Fleck, Femi Kuti, The Slip, The New Mastersounds, and the list goes on. We all had so much fun just dancing and listening to music all day for 4 days. We even had a huge bbq on July 4th with grilled new york strips, sausages, chips, salad, and tons of beer. A very patriotic fourth indeed. So after all that time off the trail we slowly made our way back to Lone Pine and got back on the trail on the 6th. Our 15 day stretch in the Sierras has been epic. We sort of took our time and averaged about 12 miles per day. It's been more than we could have possibly imagined. We summitted Mt. Whitney (highest elevation in the lower 48), and have gone up and over passes that have given us some breathtaking views of the Sierras. We've dealt with thunderstorms that have lasted for hours dumping tons of rain, and hail. We've forded rivers that have come up waist high. We glissaded down the north side of Forester pass about 500 feet. Have postholed waist deep in the snow. We put our flyrod to the test and it performed great. Our first day fishing in an area called Rock Creek we collectively caught about 15 trout and feasted. They're pretty small this time of year but they're delicious and some say the smaller ones are tastier anyways. We've been hiking with a big group and even in the thunderstorms have found a way to make each other laugh and have a great time. It's hard not to when you're surrounded by all this beauty. As of yet no bears unfortunately. I think everyone is pretty eager to see a bear out here. Dangerous as they may be. One night before going to bed though I did hear something crunching branches around our campsite. A bear? Maybe. Didn't see him though. Pictures of this section should be up within the next week. Randy has been taking some really good pictures. Up next is Yosemite, home of the black bear supposedly. We're in great spirits and our bodies feel great. All smiles over here as we keep living as free as we want to be. Take note ya'll. Well, the library is shutting down. Much love to all. Until next time. J

Lone Pine, CA Mile 745.6 - about 1/4 of the trail

2010-06-28T07:53:00.000-07:00

Where am I? Is this Earth? Or some magical fantsy I would like to invision and I'm actually going to wake up any minute and be really dissapointed? I mean come on, it doesn't actually get this beautiful does it? Um, yeah I guess God is Great. In this little town on the valley floor at 3,000 ft you can't help but stare at the immaculte disposle of beauty that is poured out here like a really wasteful artist gone AMAZING on canvas. The 14,000 ft Sierras towering over this place is beyond wonder, and I do believe if you jump up even a few feet from the top of these mountains you just might be able to tickle the feet of God! Lol. Just, yeah um wow. Well I (Randy) made it into town a day ahead of the others, as they were hanging out at the General Store in Kennedy Meadows having a great time with other hikers I thought I would skip ahead a little and take care of some stuff in town and make some phone calls, so here I am anxiously waiting there arrival, and all I want to see... is the silent look on their face, you just know... "This is just amazing being out here and wow, where have we made it to?!" Oh and yeah "Bye SoCal Desert!!" Hahaha. It is going to be weird being off the trail for the next week. Wait, did I say weird being off the trail for a week? What is happeing to me??? Why does dirt feel like home now? We have grown so comfortable out there that if we're too clean or well feed or not walikng 20 miles it's not right, we must get dirty and hungry and walk! Speaking of hungry, our diets are just ridiculous. 5,000 to 6,000 calories a day and I could still eat. 20-25 miles a day really chews through em. Some might be thinking we're moving slow due to only completing 745 miles in a little over 7 weeks, but it's just where we want to be. Because of heavy snow packs we were trying to move slower than average up to here and let the big melts come in. Now once we return to our home on July 6th we will be as the hiker lingo goes "crushing miles!" 25 to 30 miles a day will be average and nero's rather than zero days will be plausable because we are now trail conditioned! Our expected fininsh date is sometime. lol, j/k, we're looking at October 10th'ish! Maybe sooner. We will be posting again before the return to the trail, I assume to tell of the epic side trip 400 miles north with 14 hikers and 4 days of music and... 4th of July! Then we're off to Mammoth, CA, 162 trail miles north of Lone Pine for our next resupply. The trail only gets better from here and I can't imagine better, is that possible? We are picking up our Tenkara rod (a 11ft telescopic 2.5 ounce fly rod) here in Lone Pine so we can fly fish for trout out on the trail!! yeah-yes! This is also the section where we will be traversing over mountain passes from 11,000ft to 13,200ft and glissading down the crest of the peaks. Other than summiting Mt. Whitney(which is a day side trip, up and down)at 14,496ft, Forster Pass is the highest point on the PCT at over 13,200ft! Shorlty after that we will be headed into Yosemite! And possibly doing another side trip up the veritcal wall of "Half Dome"! Well I'm running out of computer time and I'm sure if I even said what I wanted to, there is so much bottled up in me right now I honestly probaly could cry, but I won't. lol. I miss you all, and MOM I love you!! Until next time, just dance for no reason at all and give a random person a hug for me! =) -Randy, a.k.a. "DOZER" Okay so I should explain, my trail name is DOZER and Jason's is NINJAY. DOZER is short for bulldozer due to my fast hiking and trucking through snow pack, but also because I'm always the first one to fall asleep and I snore! LOL.NINJAY is short for ninja suit, because while at KOA camp another thru hiker, THE PRO FROM DOVER, saw Jason in his all black base layer and slicked dark hair and said he looked like he was in a ninja suit! Also he practices martial arts(Akiddo) so it sticks well! Well take care all!

Kennedy Meadows, CA Mile 704

2010-06-24T11:47:00.000-07:00

Hey All, this is not a full post just wanted to inform everyone on our up coming plans and also that we are at one of the biggest milestones of the trail,The entry to the High Sierras! We are actually going to be attending the High Sierra Music Festival in Quincy, CA from July 1-4th! We we're able to contact a director of the festival and thanks to Jason scored volunteer jobs to pay for our 4 day music pass!! 16 hours of parking help and we're in! We are merging with another group on the trail, PWW, and renting minivans to drive the 400 miles to Quincy, oh and our group is Team FLO-RIDAS, since all six of us were from FL at some point! It is going to be great seeing over 50 bands play outdoors in the Sierras, then back to the trail on the 6th to summit Whitney(the tallest peak in the lower 48 at 14,497ft) and hike on in search of rainbow trout and amzing views!(neither of which will be hard to find!)
Well, till the next full post we will be trekking up to 11,100 ft to reach trail pass and get into Lone Pine, CA! -Randy

Tehachapi, CA 567 miles

2010-06-13T17:36:00.000-07:00

So we left the Saufleys after some much needed rest, went down to the pizza place for some food and the end of an NHL game before heading back onto the trail. We started late that day and ended up hiking for about 3 hours or so into the night. We decided to do some night hiking because the previous days were really hot so we took advantage of the cool temps at night. The following day we got up early and began our march towards another trail angels house. The Andersons. When we got up that morning Fred and Ariel had swarms of black ants all over their bags. Good thing they were black ants. For those of us that didn't have ants in our pants it was pretty damn funny. We had about 16 miles to the Andersons and before reaching the road where we were to hitch over to their house we reached their cache on the trail, "The Oasis Cache", stocked full of water, sodas, and beer, and decorated with inflatable monkeys, flamingos, stuffed animals, paintings, lawn chairs. All this just off the trail under a great shaded spot. We stopped at the cache, drank some sodas and some beers, took a nap for about an hour and then got up and finished the hike over to the road. While waiting on the side of the road for the rest of the group to show up, one of the Andersons neighbors drove by and gave me and Randy a ride over to their house. We were greeted at the house by a large group of hikers wearing hawaiian shirts (mandatory dress at the house by the way) and clapping for us as we walked up to the house. We were handed some drinks and then given a tour of the compound. It was a really good time at the Andersons. Joe and Terri Anderson like many trail angels open their house up to hikers, let them take showers, give them space to lay out and sleep, do laundry, and they feed you. Joe gets up early in the morning and makes pancakes for all the hikers. At any given time there can be anywhere from 10 to 50 hikers hanging out at this house. Its wild. For lunch they prepare hot dogs and such, and for dinner Terri prepares an amazing self serve taco salad buffet. All this for free by the way. They ask nothing in return. Really amazing people. Even got to play some frisbee golf for the first time with a group of hikers. So after a couple days at the Andersons me, Ariel, and Flyboy started hiking towards Tehachapi. Randy, Fred, and Dundee left the day before. Leaving the Andersons we did about 24 miles or so. The weather was perfect that day and it made for a great hike with views of the Mojave and Tehachapi mountains across the way. We camped right off the trail that night and started to feel the wind that awaited us ahead in the Mojave. The following day we hiked through a gorgeous area full of oak trees that provided some shade in the morning and then down into the Mojave where we reached Hiker Town. We stopped there for a quick resupply and dinner before hitting the 16 miles of Los Angeles aqueduct. We left Hiker Town at about 7 pm and hiked well into the night along the aqueduct. It made for a nice night hike because we really didn't have to look down at any trail and barely used our headlamps. Just the stars raining upon us. Still amazed every night when I look up at the sky. So many stars out here. Its beautiful. Started to get real windy that night also. When we got up the next day we made our way across the mojave and into the Tehachapi mountains. It was windy, very windy. Winds gusting at about 40-50 miles an hour. Apart from the wind though we were treated to some amazing views back across the mojave from where we came and some views of the snow capped southern sierras. We had to make it to the PO in Tehachapi before it closed on Saturday so we hiked well into the night once again and made it to just about 3 miles from the road where we would hitch into town. We've been in Tehachapi now for a couple of days resting up for the next leg. We got in, went to the market, bought 12 days worth of food, kept 7 for the next leg, and then mailed 5 days worth of food up to Kennedy Meadows. Everyone here is extremely excited right now. Kennedy Meadows is a huge milestone on the PCT. We are now officially done with the first section of the trip "Southern California". Movin on up to Central California now and the most anticipated section of the entire PCT. The Sierra Nevada mountain range. The most rugged landscape that we'll encounter on our trip. Spirits and enthusiasm are very high right now. We all feel great and we're ready for the beauty that awaits. So far the trail has treated us well and its become our home. Too much time off the trail and we begin to miss it. We have become extremely comfortable with our surroundings and are having an amazing time. Tomorrow we begin a 145 mile hike over to Kennedy Meadows. 7 days of food in the pack. I believe it'll be our longest stretch yet. Well, i'm off to bed. Until next time. Oh, by the way, if anyone reading this is interested in sending us some care packages we would be extremely grateful. Just email either one of us to get the upcoming mailing addresses of POs that we'll be heading into. And also if you have any questions on what a care package might include. Food, supplies, ummmm.... stuff like that. So, good night again. Much love to all. J

Agua Dulce, CA Mile 455

2010-06-05T17:38:00.000-07:00

Yeah-Yes! This place is, um, like totally ridiculous! Am I here?! "The Saufley's" also known as "Hiker Haven" is a place you never thought existed. The Saufley's have completly opened their home and their resources also while commiting a LARGE part of their life to welcoming and blessing dirty stinky hikers!! On their property they have set up numerous large white tents full of cots able to accomadate 50 hikers, a moblie home dedicated to showers, internet, kitchen, tv, phones, and more, all the while Donna Saufley is washing your clothes and sorting mail drops and organizing shuttles for hikers to go to outfitters and grocery stores!! Wow, it is exhausting thinking about the energy put into this, what I call, "Epic Operation", Lol!! As for the trail the past about 100 miles or so have been quite different as we had a 47mile detour of which 37 miles was a great road walk....ha, =( Nah really it was alright other than the hard pavement barking at your knees!! We actually got picked up by two lovely people who gave us a ride to a local store to get ice cream, cold sodas, and sanwiches then drove us back to the trail(actually road). It was funny when they dropped us off on the side of the rode and we just said thanks and walked away into the brush while the guy looked at us just lost as if he were thinking, "Where are they going?!" Well we loved it as we had ice cream and sodas as, Fred and Renee said, the coyotes sang us to sleep! Oh yeah before the road walk was the hardest ascent yet, up Mount Baden Powell to 9,399ft. It was 41 switchbacks up to the summit of which the last half was burried under snow and we had to kick stpes up 60 degree or more slopes to reach the summit, but when we made it....wow how awesome was it to see the three prior snow covered peaks we had hiked the previous two to three weeks before!! Also looking across the Mojave to see the beginning of the famous "Sierras" thinking to our selves about how far and BIG they seemed only to know we will be trekking up them in just a few weeks! We have been hiking with our group now for a while, Fred, Renee, Ariel, Asaf (a.k.a. FLYBOY) and me and J. It has been great being in the presence of such great people and really enjoying the friendships that are being fostered! Wouldn't want it any other way! We all plan on leaving here and hiking foward together, and I really look forward to that. Next big stop, Tehachapi, CA Mile 568, then.... The Sierras!!!! Well I got to let the others on the computer so until next time, Love and Miss you all!! -Randy

Wrightwood, CA 369 miles

2010-05-30T00:08:00.000-07:00

So, 369 miles, in comparison to the entire trail which is 2,663 miles it might not seem like much but imagine walking on interstate 95 from Miami to about just north of Jacksonville. Pretty wild huh? Well, that's where we're at. So Big Bear was our last resupply point and this last stretch has been our longest yet. We covered about 117 miles or so in 6 days. At the hostel in Big Bear we were fortunate enough to get a ride back to the trail from Casey (spelling?) whom we met at the hostel. Thank you!! Our first day back on the trail we took it light. We only did about 4-5 miles to camp. That night camp was cold and windy, but it was expected, seeing how the weather report called for precipitation the following day. Day 2 we got up early and about an hour into our hike found ourselves in the middle of a full on snow storm. It was funny scramblin around for our rain gear while getting covered in snow. We spent the entire day getting snowed on. It would let up for a bit and then start back up. Had snowball fights and all. It seemed like this one cloud was just following us along the trail all day. It was really beautiful though seeing everything covered in snow. Camp that night was terribly cold and when we woke up the next day everything was covered in frozen condensation. Day 3 we got a late start waiting for our gear to dry up but it was really nice out. No clouds, sun, and not as cold as the day before. We hit our first side trip up to a peak that day with great views of Big Bear from the top. Because the full moon was approaching we decided to do some night hiking and ended up fording Holcomb creek twice before hitting camp that night. In other words, we had to cross Holcomb creek with the water coming up over our knees. The water was cold, but it was fun. Day 4 we awoke to a nice sheet of frozen condensation on our sleeping bags, and forded Holcomb creek one last time. We only did about 14 miles that day opting to camp at Deep Creek hot springs. The hot springs were amazing. We were sitting in a natural jacuzzi off the banks of Deep Creek at the base of these gorgeous mountains just soaking our tired legs. Camp that night was probably the best one we've had so far. We slept on a soft sandy beach on the bank of the creek. Day 5 we decided to crank out 30 miles which would be our longest mileage for a day. We sort of had to so that we could make it to Wrightwood by Friday before the PO closed. It actually wasn't bad at all. The terrain was fairly easy, we made it to camp by 9:30, and placed ourselves just 7 miles away from McDonalds. What? McDonalds? Yeah, that's right. There was a McDonalds just a half mile off the trail as we reached the highway. So, Day 6 we got up and trekked straight into McDonalds. I think we did record time for those first 7 miles. We had breakfast, lunch, and we packed out some more for dinner. Hilarious. That day also brought us to our first detour which included some road walking. We cranked about 24 that day also and made it to camp at about 8 or so. Day 7 we only had about 15 miles to Inspiration Point which is where we would hitch into Wrightwood. We ran into some snow and ice as we were getting to the end , but it wasn't too bad. Definitely nothing like San Jacinto. When we got to Inspiration Point we were immediately offered a ride into town by a gentleman named JJ. Thank you!! He dropped us off at the PO in time to get our packages. From there we went over to the hardware store where we heard there was a list of trail angels that offered hikers a place to stay. I called several and left messages for most before getting an answer from Dolores. I can't possibly put into words the hospitality that we've received from Dolores and her family. I could never thank them enough for what they've done. Our last 3 days we've been hiking with Ariel and Asaf, two brothers from Florida. Dolores picked the four of us up, took us to her house, has let us sleep here in her house 2 nights, has washed our dirty clothes, has fed us, has given us to drink, has welcomed us into her home like family, has let us take showers, etc., etc. It is unbelievable what this woman does and she has forever renewed my faith in humanity and the possibility of us all peacefully getting along. Yes, that big an impression. I just can't explain it well. Thank you!!!! You and your family are amazing. And actually everyone that we've met here in Wrightwood has been extremely friendly and helpful. Tomorrow we hit the trail once again over to Agua Dulce our next stop off the trail. We'll be hitting some heavy snow supposedly up at Mt. Baden Powell and then we've got a brutal 35 mile road walk that's part of a detour. But hey, we couldn't be happier. Every day there's something new around the corner and every day we revel in natures beauty and unpredictability. HaHaHa. Excited to hit the trail again. Until next time. J

Big Bear, CA (mile 252)

2010-05-21T08:49:00.000-07:00

Hey All! We are in Big Bear, CA on trail mile 252! (only 2,400 something more miles to go,... lol!) We made it in yesterday afternoon via the craziest hitch ever... John. Won't scare you with details but trust me, he was quite a character! Anyways we made it to Big Bear Hostel and checked in where there are about 12-15 other hikers here, some we know some we met, but all awesome peeps! Had trail magic last night thanks to MONTY!! Burgers, fruit, potatoes, cold sodas, etc...! Great way to end the day of a 18 mile push straight up 2,700 ft... We'll I guess most are wondering what happen since our last post in Idyllwild... we took Mount San Jancito head on and came down to the desert floor untouched! (okay so that's a little exaggeration but hey) It took 5 days to cover 58 miles trekking up thousands of feet to over 9,000 and through endless snow and some ice. The first section of snow fields we made it through pretty clean, as we combed the slopes and kept striking trails markers!! Some of the slopes were 60 degrees with up to 6 feet of snow and we had to kick steps for hours to make it around the ridges. We got lost a few times on the notorious FULLER RIDGE, and wound up 400 ft. down the slope from the trail but luckily struck a jeep road and walked it back up to camp. We were always wet and cold and had much needed fires every night up there with Fred and Renee, two hikers we went through the section with.We also spent a lot of time glissading (which is sliding on your back side!) and practicing self-arresting with our ice-axes to be prepared for the worst. It felt good to make it through a section that had a reroute set and one which a lot of hikers skipped because of the snowy ridges, and notorious bad news, we didn't want to skip it because it's why we are here, to be challenged. Well we were, but we're here! Then it was the 7,000 ft decent to the desert floor known as San Gorgonio Pass, a windy vortex filled with windmill farms and constantly eroding landscape where we hit I-10 and had to walk another 4.5 miles to Cabazon directly into the wind... We munched at Burger King which we had been dreaming about the whole way down from San Jancito! Me and Jason consumed over 2,500 calories in one sitting. Ummmm! We then got a hitch 12 miles in the opposite direction to Palm Springs where we stayed the night in a Motel 6, much needed. In the morning we were off back to the trail and UP San Gorgonio to 8,500. In just 4 days we descended 7,000 ft from 9,000ft on San Jancito down to the desert floor then back up to 8,500 on San Gorgonio, woe... well we are now here in Big Bear and loving it here, the hostel is just amazing!! We met up with a hiker, Pockets, who rented a car in town and drove 8 hikers around town to shop! Thanks Pockets! We also met back up with one we had been hiking with for a while, G.I. Joe, who is a few days a head of us, and back on the trail today, great guy! Today we are resupplying for 6 days to get to Wrightwood, CA 120 or so miles up the trail at mile marker 369, we now are going to start our 20 miles a day consistently to move on up the trail in time for our Sierra entry, but with time still for a few zero days here and there. I must say, I have experienced more in just 21 days then a life time could offer.. so far. It has been such a blessing to be out here and be in and apart of this GLORIOUS creation, and really just BE. Sleeping randomly on the high mountain floor under the milky way and endless shooting stars with the smells, animals, and critters all in their symphony of life! The immense vastness of the wilderness is so humbling and makes me recognize, "how Great is our God!" Well I have to free up the computer for other hikers, and we will write again in Wrightwood!! Miss you all! Really.... -Randy

What to do, what to do?

2010-05-12T15:12:00.000-07:00

Idyllwild, California. Been here 2 1/2 days now resting our old bones and bum knees. Yes, we both have bad knees. Not a good situation round these parts considering that the next section has some of the most notorious elevation changes on the entire trail, including a 16 mile section called black mountain road in which you descend about 7,000 feet in just those 16 odd miles. Since the last post we've travelled about 40-50 miles, mostly through desert mountains. We've spent the last 3-4 hiking days with a group of hikers that stayed with us in warner springs. Alex ( G I Joe ) from San Diego, Leanna ( Moonshadow ) from North Carolina, and Fred and Renee ( Dundee ) from Palm Beach county. Good people, good company. Me, Randy, and Leanna hitched in to Idyllwild from hwy 74, and Fred n Renee joined us later that day. Alex kept hiking past 74 but will be joining us this evening. Leanna met up with her buddy Morph and they both left this afternoon to Los Angeles. They decided to bypass this next section because of the snow and ice thats on the trail and at some point will come back and finish this section. Thats kind of where me and Randy are at this point. What to do? Should we go back to 74 and push through this section risking a possible knee injury on the steep descents, or should we hitch north past this section and come back and do it when our knees have strengthened up a bit. Tough. I think tomorrow morning we'll see how we feel and make our decision then. As of right now we're both still experiencing some discomfort in our knees. Several hikers have recommended bypassing this next section. It would really suck if we were to end this trip 2 weeks in because of a knee injury, but it also kinda sucks to skip this section and come back at some point to finish it. What to do? The couple days before making it to 74 my knee was hurting pretty bad. One day it hurt so bad I could barely put any weight on it, which is pretty difficult considering I had a 35 lb bag on my back. But hey, apart from all this, we're still having a great time. Beautiful views, sounds, smells, great people, good laughs. Actually, on our second day out of warner springs we ran into trail angel Michael Herrera's house. A trail angel by the way is someone that helps hikers in one way or another. Be it by providing water, food, rides, a place to sleep, take a shower, etc. Bless them all. They are amazing, and inspiring human beings. Michael Herrera being one of them. What an interesting place that was. In the middle of these desert mountains that we hiked through, is Mikes home. This guy actually lets hikers walk right into his property and provides them with food, water, shade, a place to sleep, supplies, and many other things that I can't think of right now. Oh yeah, and he wasn't even home. We just walked right in and helped ourselves. Weird, but only because we're not used to this kind of hospitality. Everyone, everywhere, should be this way. All doors everywhere should be open to anyone that wishes to come through them. Of course those that walk through them should be as kind and respectful as the people that hike this trail. The world would be perfect right? Hmmmm. Well, unfortunately we haven't been able to post any pics. I was able to post a few, but Randy is taking the majority of pictures with his SLR and the files are just too big to upload onto these cpus that we have here in Idyllwild. It seems as though the whole picture thing has become a bit more complicated than we had expected. Fortunately, there is a plan B. And that plan B is my sister Jazz. What we have decided to do is send my sister a memory card and have her upload the pictures onto the blog. Thanks Jazz!! Meanwhile, we'll be taking pictures with another one of Randys memory cards and when my sisters done we'll switch out. So don't worry guys. The pictures will be up soon enough. Patience. So, i'm off to the room to pop some ibuprofen, ice my knee, and stretch. My off day routine. Next stop on the trail is Big Bear City, until then, we'll hopefully be knocking some miles off. Much love to all. J

Mile 110, Warner Springs, CA

2010-05-07T12:47:00.000-07:00

Hey All! This is the first actual trail blog, it's a few days after planned, we changed resupply towns to try and make it here to Warner Springs Desert Resort, which is just awesome. Unfortunately the computer is blocked here for downloading photos...=( But we will try again shortly. It has been a daunting but absolutley amazing time on the trail in 7 days. We hit the 100 mile marker yesterday right before reaching a trail angel spot under some shade (which is rare in the desret) and there was a cooler with COLD sodas!! We met Evo a thru hiker from Swiss! We actually have met almost 20 hikers so far all which are great people! We hiked and camped with two guys from Oregon, Brain and Dereck, the frist few days but they fell behind due to Derecks blisters(hope to see them again) Miss you all! Love you Mom(sherry). Today we woke from camp and headed across the valley to get here and was greeted by a field of horses! One which came right up to Jason and we spent some time there with the horses and letting THEM give us a kiss! Just amazing!!!!! =) It has been very hard pushing 20 or so miles a day,up and down thousands of feet in elevation change, our feet are numb, knees swollen, and always hungry and thirsty, but it is good for us. The landscape is leaves us speechless every turn with sweeping vistas, sworing moutnains, swooping valleys and critter and plant fiestas!! Can't wait to be able to post some pics for you all soon! Thanks again Andy for your hospitality and the ride to campo, awesome man! We will see you in San Diego! Sleeping under the stars every night as been very humbling, we haven't really pitch tents yet, just been sleeping out, the weather has been great. Saw a couple of rattlesnakes and a tranchula, weird creature... Oh the horses again were just amazing, grazing in hundreds even thousands of acres of open land in the valley of wild flowers and so friendly just wanted to stay there all day!!! On tuesday we made it 20 miles through some deadly desert only to come upon the first time desert oasis of Wayne! They had camp showers, cold drinks, candy bars, supplies all set up in the middle of no where out of a trailer, just for the hiker's. The people out here are AMAZING!!! lounged with some other thru hiker's and chowed down! Too cool. Well... we will post longer when we get photos up some time this week maybe in Idlywild(mile 183). Miss you all! Can't believe we're out here! It's crazy covering so much distance and knowing we are just beginning, it's a long walk in the woods! Lol. I can't even begin to try to explain what we have seen and exprienced, it is more than we imagined! Thanks God for this awesome creation to explore and discover! Just shows your great imagination! -Randy

Arrival in California

2010-04-28T22:47:00.000-07:00

Well, we're here. After months of preparation and anticipation, we've finally made our way out to California. We arrived yesterday afternoon, and were pleasantly greeted, and helped by volunteer workers Tony and Phyllis at San Diego Int. Thank you both once again for being so kind and helpful. From the airport we made our way over to Thrifty and rented a car. The plan was for me to attend an aikido class at San Diego Aikikai at 5:30 that day, so we drove over to the area, had some coffee, and went over to the dojo. By the time the class was over we were starving, so we stopped inside a small mexican place, and feasted. Delicious!! After dinner we drove up to Irvine, about an hour or so north of San Diego, to Sue and Dan's. Sue is Randy's cousin, and her and her husband Dan have welcomed us inside their home, fed us, gave us a place to sleep, a shower, aaand they're going to be helping us along the trail by sending us certain things that we'll need further along the trail. You guys are amazing!! Thank you both sooo much. Oh, and they also have a gorgeous daughter named Emma thats about nine weeks old and precious. We've posted some pics. Not much of course. Its only been two days, but after having this blog up for so long we wanted to start adding some content finally. Tomorrow we're getting up early and driving down to Ensenada, Mexico where we'll spend the night and then drive back up to San Diego the following day to meet up with Andy, Niki Palmer's friend, who is being kind enough to not only put us up for the night on friday, but also take us over to the trailhead on saturday morning. Thanks again Niki!! Love ya!! So thats it for now. Hope everyone enjoys the pics. We're still trying to learn how to do this whole blog thing. Good night. Much love to all.

Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail

2010-01-07T10:07:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail.