Holding Pattern

Well, in an abundance of caution my doctor sent me to the hospital for a series of tests. It appears my blood pressure and heart meds need to be adjusted. But to ensure there are no issues with my heart, I am scheduled for a MIBI Scan. This is a test where a radioactive tracer (Technetium 99) is used to view my heart. This will allow my doctors to know for sure what is happening with my heart.

With luck I can get my meds adjusted and no heart issues will be present and I can continue my adventure. Until then I'm laying in a hospital bed watching tv bored out of my mind.

I will post again when I have more info on my ability to continue my adventure.

Taking a Medical Break

I'm stepping off the trail for a couple of days to see my doctor. I'm thinking my blood pressure meds need to be adjusted. I have been having dizzy spells when bending over to set up or take down my tent. Today I bent over to pick up my hiking stick after a rest break and everything went black for a few seconds. I'm feeling stronger as I hike and was in a nice comfortable grove. But I made a promise to be smart and not take unnecessary risks.

I hope it's just a simple adjustment of my meds and I can get back out there. I will let you know.

Day 13

Yesterday was a long, cold, wet day. Mostly hiking UP the side of the mountains. Started with clouds and wind. The wind at times blowing hard enough to cause me to stumble. Once almost flicking me off the trail and down a steep hill. Scared as hell? OH YES!!!

Made it to the "Third Gate" mile 91 around 2:30. There is a water cache consisting of at least 200 gallons of bottled water. Many new bottles from the store, not refilled. This is the first water available since scissors crossing (19 miles). I had lunch, drank a gallon and filled up for the next stretch of 10 miles to known water.

I headed out, again climbing. I hiked for about three hours and it began to rain. I quickly found a level spot just off the trail that I could pitch my tent. It was raining, not just sprinkling. I quickly got my tent set and inside. I was soaked to the bone and shivering. (Isn't this fun?) I got out of my wet clothes, changed into my sleeping thermals and climbed into my sleeping bag. After I got warm I got my Jerboil out and made my dinner (chicken noodle soup) and read a little. It rained all night and the wind howled. I stayed dry and warm. I did put on my only other pants (rain-wind pants) and my down jacket, beanie and socks. I fell asleep quickly but woke every two hours or so from the wind and rain.

I got a late start, hoping the rain would stop this morning. Finally at 8:20 it sounded like it had stopped. Not! I got dressed and got out to beak camp and 10 minutes later it's raining again. Isn't this fun? I get my tent secured and my pack loaded and hit the trail around 9:30. Everything soaked including me. It rained off and one during the day. Nothing much but enough to keep pack covered and requiring me to wear rain pants and jacket which have their own Eco System when you add hiking hills with a heavy pack to the equation.

I made it to mile 105.2, San Ysidro Creek. The blisters were winning the battle and I decided to make camp. As I got to this spot I saw the girl from Hawaii. She asked if I had seen a tarp along the trail. I had seen what I thought was a large piece of paper with "hiker trash" written on it. She was frustrated. I saw it about a mile back off the trail. I had also found a random glove about half mile back that I picked up. I pulled it from my pocket and asked if she had lost a glove. She looked at it and said yes. She shook her head and said "I think I'd loose my head if it weren't attached,". I think her trail name should be "lost and found",

I got my tent set up, climbed in and changed into dry clothes. I had a cup of coffee and read for a bit. I then had dinner (tuna sandwich) and read a little more. It's 9:00 and I'm finishing this up and headed off to sleep.

I will make Warner Springs in the morning.

Until next time... Epsom Salt, hot water and a foot bath?? Please??

Headed to Warner Springs

Got to Scissors crossing at around 11:00 this morning. Filled everything to the brim (water from a cache maintained by a "trail angel") and walked to the bridge near by and took a break. Weather was nice. Maybe 85 with a slight breeze. At about 2:00 I started the climb out of Scissors. Steep, long and exposed trail made for slow going. I hiked about 5.5 miles. That took me almost 4.5 hours. I will attribute the slow going to carrying so much weight in water. Next water is at mile 91 and I am at 82.5. I have about nine miles to turn tomorrow with a little over 3.5 liters of water. I started with 6.5 so I should be ok.

Lots of hikers on the trail. Every type of person in the world and truly from around the world. A girl from Hawaii hiking in a short wrap around skirt, leather flip flop and carrying an umbrella. The people make it interesting.

Time for bed. Until next time.

Almost Scissors Crossing

Today was a good day. Hiked long and hard and avoided a pissed off rattle snake that had bite on its mind.

Started slow as I was headed down hill most of the morning. Steep descents are as bad as steep ascents. After about 90 minutes dropping almost 2000 feet it was time to climb. Regained about 1100 feet and then strolled along on slow rolling trail.

Made it to Rodrigues Spur and filled up on water. Spend a couple hours eating, relaxing and tending to the blisters on my feet. This has become a full time job.

The fettle snake encounter scared the hell out of me. I'm lumbering along daydreaming of ice cream when I hear the loudest rattle from a snake I have ever heard. I look up and 10 feet in front of me square on the trail is a coiled rattle snake. I stop and he lunges at me. His strike misses by about two feet and he begins to coil as his head raises and cocks as if he is going to strike again. The rattle never stopped. He holds as I quickly (holy cow I didn't think this fat, tired, old man could move that fast) jump back. He holds his ground for about two minutes (I thought at the time an hour) then moves off the trail. By the time I got my heart slowed down and I grabbed for my camera, he was gone. I could do without those encounters.

I started hiking again in hopes of doing another 4 miles to make it closer to Scissors Crossing. Want to be there by noon tomorrow and get a jump on the miles between there and Warner Springs. I did just over 5 so only have about 4 left in the morning.

The weather turned cold and windy with clouds moving in quickly. I was racing to get to flat land so I could find a tent spot before the sun set. I came around a bend in the trail and there were two tents off to the side that looked familiar. They belonged to a father-daughter from Sacramento I met several days back. There was room for my tent and I pitched it quickly in the howling wind and climbed inside. I was soaked from sweat and needed to get warm and dry. I changed clothes, got warm and made my dinner (Cup a soup) and started writing this post.

The wind is dieing off a bit and I am getting sleepy. It is after all 8:15. Until next time; enjoy the little things in life; big things are too heavy to carry out here.

Back on the Trail

I'm back on the trail after a day and a half of doing not much. Spent all day Friday tending to blisters and giving my feet a rest. Did a little yesterday and hit it this morning and feel much better. It's about 3:30 Sunday the 22nd and I have stopped for a couple hours to eat, rest and gather water. Getting ready to hike for a few more hours, hoping to do 4 or more before the sun sets.

Today's hiking has been ok. Not a lot of up and down but I have climbed a few hills and walked into a few canyons. I'm at the Sunrise Trailhead on the Sunrise Hwy just south east of Cuyamaca lake.

Still seeing lots of bees and have seen three nice sized rattle snakes. One was coiled about a foot off the trail just hanging out. His rattle noise was the loudes I've heard. I stepped up on the opposite hill and continued on. Tried to get a video but he took off as I took my camera out. Maybe next time.

Today is a "ZERO" Day

I'm taking a day off today to allow my feet to heal. Huge blisters have been drained and already feeling better. Going to relax, put my feet up and take it easy.

Will get back on the trail tomorrow.

Finally Mt Laguna

Up, up , up I hiked. Holy crap. Brutal is the best way to describe this hike. The last three miles were in the pines and wee not too bad but still climbing. I saw my first rattle snake. Had to be four feet long and 3-4 inches around. He slithered off as I approached. More bees too. Lots of bees. Sounds like a race car in the distance. As the swarm moves along the hills the sound travels right along.

I'm sitting here waiting for Mindi to drop my re-supply box and a pizza for eats. Sounded good when I asked for it. Now not so much. All of a sudden I feel like crap and just want to lay down and sleep.

I'm contemplating taking a zero day tomorrow (no hiking) to give my blisters and feet a rest. Spending two nights up here can't be all bad.

Blisters

Long hike climbing again this time from Lake Morena toward Kitchen Creek. Made 9 miles today, two large blisters and all. Camp set up off the trail and getting ready to eat my dinner. My sleeping bag will feel good tonight.

There are lots of hikers heading north. Most keeping a similar pace and distances range from 5-20 miles a day. I'm trying to stay around 8-10 the first week and then maybe adding 4-5 miles a day the next week and see how it goes. The miles so far have been grueling and painful. I'm sitting in my tent, beautiful sunset, wonderful weather and a full stomach.

I'm camping near a father and his daughter. Was afraid I would not find a campsite before the sun set. I stumbled on them and there was a nice spot to pitch my tent a few bushes over.

It's all of 8:00 and I am ready to call it a night. Until next time; whatever I'm too tired to think.

Rim to Rim

Today was one heck of a hike. Straight up and over. Started at Hauser Creek and climbed out of the canyon to the top of the mountain and down the other side to Lake Morena. Who ever said you can hike yourself into shape is an idiot (wait, I think that was me).

I am no doubt carrying too much weight and need to shed some unnecessary items. I thinks I can eliminate around 8 pounds.

I had intended on making Lake Morena yesterday. Oh well. I'm not going to race to Canada and I am in a cluster of hikers that are all moving at about the same speed and doing the same distances right now. Four of the six or seven who camped at Hauser Creek are camped here at Morena. Nice people. A Canadian gal, a woman from Santa Cruz, two men from Ohio. A couple other hikers have pulled in and are setting up tents.

The climb, only a little over four miles took everything I had. At times I felt as if I could touch the ground in front of me the trail was that steep in spots. Took me close to five hours. So I decided to call it a day and relax with the others here at Morena.

Tomorrow I will head off and try and make a dent in getting up to the Laguna Mountains. Will most likely take me two, maybe three days. Slower than I expected but not a big deal right now.

I'm enjoying the adventure, even with the pain. When I have proper cell service I will upload some pictures

Until next time; lighten the load, your knees and back will love you.

Day Two

Great day today. Beautiful weather and lots of hikers on the trail. Yesterday I was alone all day. Never saw another person. Today there were around twenty or so hikers all heading to Canada.

The day started out foggy and wet. I got up made coffee and oatmeal and as I did the sun started peaking thru the clouds. It got sunny and warmed up fast. I took some time and dried my tent and clothes in the sun. This delayed me getting on the trail a bit. Once on the trail I met lots of thru hikers headed to Canada.

My wildlife encounter today were two swarms of bees. I lucked out and avoided getting stung. Two fellows behind me were not so lucky.

I made it to Hauser Creek at 5:30 and stared at the four mile climb ahead and decided I had gone far enough. I set up camp, filtered some much needed water and ate dinner. There are seven or so other hikers camped here together feeling the same as me; worn out, sore and not wanting to kill themselves this early in the adventure.

I am in my tent listening to the frogs (looking for my ear plugs) and typing this entry. Will tackle the climb out of here in the morning.

Until tomorrow; be safe and enjoy life.

I'm on the Trail

Well, the march is on. I got to the monument at Campo at about nine this morning. Travelled through rain, wind and snow getting there. As we arrived it began to rain. I was met by my great friends Terry McClain, Dick Castle, hiking friends Doug and Terri, my last great super partner/awesome friend Stephanie Rose and the best friends anyone could have Tina and Alan Schneid. My wife Mindi and two great kids Katie and Kyle. It was amazing they all travelled in the rain and snow to send me off.

I hiked for several hours in rain, sleet and wind. Freezing temps and an over stuffed back pack made for slow going. I made it about 8 miles and was soaked to the bone from rain and sweat so I decided to pitch my tent at 5:30 in a small patch of ground under a tree just off the trail. Setting the tent up in the rain is no fun. But I got it up and it was dry inside. Thanks to some tips from friends made at WBC and a lil practice at home.

I had my first wildlife encounter on the trail. I round a bend and there stands a baby skunk, tail raised and hissing at me. He would not move. After 10 minutes and him spraying the air I decided to nudge him off the trail with my hiking sticks and make a run for it. I made it without getting "skunked" but the nose did burn for a bit.

I'm snuggled in dry clothes in my tent. Had a hot cup of coffee and now it's time for dinner. Still raining but no wind. Instant mashed potatoes with some SPAM and dehydrated veggies.

Well, I'm off on my adventure. Enjoy the pictures as I upload them and follow me on my SPOT.

T-Minus 8 Days and Counting

I am anxious to get started with my adventure but holy cow do I have a lot of "stuff" to do. Setting up bill-pay; writing instructions for household stuff I usually do; sell my motorcycle; clean the garage and discard unwanted and unneeded "stuff"; and make sure my will is up to date. I have a few finishing touches left on my resupply boxes and need to get the first two in the mail by Monday.

Checking the weather report for the next two weeks did not make me feel all warm and fuzzy. Rain expected Tuesday next week and then a bigger storm moving into the region Saturday, the day I am setting off. My luck it will snow and the winds will howl and I will be given a flavor of mother nature that will kill a few taste buds. I am prepared for the wind, rain and snow so let it blow. I will no doubt grumble about it (I am known to grumble about a lot of stuff) but just deal with it.

I have gotten my base pack weight down to 22 pounds and think I might be able to cut it down even more. We shall see. I have my boxes filled for Kennedy Meadows and Lake Tahoe. The will be delivered in person by Mindi (The Wife). She will meet me in Kennedy Meadows around the 9th of June and bring my Sierra "stuff" like the bear canister; ice axe and crampons (If needed); warmer clothes and a new pair of boots for the mountains. She will travel in our new motor home so I will at least be able to shower and sleep comfortable for a night or two before hitting the trail into the Sierra's.

I am planning on hiking straight through to Reds Meadow, a hike of about 14 days. My pack will be the heaviest at this point with 14 days of food and the canister and warmer, thicker, heavier clothes. But I expect to be in the best shape at this point and should be OK with the additional weight. I'm hopeful the snow pack is light and the trail dry so I can maintain a good pace through the high passes.

One week from tomorrow at 0900 I will be at the monument in Campo saying good-bye to friends and family and hitting the trail. I guess I better get back to the "stuff" I need to do if I am going to meet this date.