Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike this summer

[tradja]

In Julian, CA (mile 77.2) so far. The hike is going great! I'm almost out of time on this public library computer, but just wanted to share a few images until I get more time and more access.

Summary: The PML necker and Ranger Afghan have been awesome so far on this leg. The PML has been handy for camp chores, gear repair and food prep. 50-60+mph winds the past two nights. With the wind roaring and raining sideways (and up?), we had to get the tarp nailed down fast before it blew away or ripped. Justin's burly Afghan made quick work of chopping and notching additional huge barbed tent stakes to hold the tarp down in the soft sand.

Had some sketchy cat-n-mouse going on all around our bivy site last night from midnight - 0045. Lots of running, MagLites, crackling radios, whispered/yelled English and Spanish, zip cuffs, etc. They caught a few ("Quanto mas? Vaya alla? Diga me! DIGA ME!!") but spent much of the rest of the night all around the wire and in the brush. Having the Afghan nearby on the PML on me was comforting. Funny, since we're 77 miles north of the border.

At the wall:

First night kitchen:

 

[tradja]

More:

Tactical bagels:

 

[tradja]

Hope it holds it's own and helps you out. Y'all be safe and have fun!

ps. from Miss Lora- You pack more than a girl!

Thanks Eddie! Picking the IX up in Mojave, CA for the 500 miles through the High Sierra.

 

[tknife]

Awesome! I'll be sticking to this thread like glue.

 

[koyote]

excellent! This is going to be a fun thread to watch over the summer

 

[tonym]

Excellent thread!!!

Thanks for dropping in and sharing. Have a great trip!

 

[tradja]

Just a quick update from mile 178: we finally hit a bunch of snowpack above 7000ft in southern California's San Jacinto mountains. The desert continues to be beautiful and not too hot, but this mountainous section is great! 9 minutes left on this library terminal, so here are some quick pics of scenery and steel. Sorry in advance for the bad underwater portrait attempt of the PML. I assure you that it is an attractive knife in person, but sometimes it needs a bath.

Sharpening on wet/dry:

Thursday night's campsite: (that's us in the lower right):

the current state of my pack:

 

[tradja]

Jessie preps dinner:

Desert trick: If you filet an "empty" tube of sunscreen, you can scrape an extra dose from inside:

 

[tknife]

More great pics :thumbup: Helps me feel like I'm there too

 

[mtwarden]

thanks for the update! looks like some neat country

 

[Wildewinds]

This is pretty incredible. Congratulations on actually getting out and doing this. Good luck with the rest of the hike.

 

[efahl]

Nice pics, I'd love to be there with you.

I'm wondering if you're going to have a problem with snow and ice up north of LA. We had a permit for San Gorgonio two weekends ago, but bailed on it after finding out the campsite we wanted was under 20' of pack snow. We went up Icehouse Canyon to Kelly's Camp in Cucamonga Wilderness instead (~5 miles from the PCT) and ended up traversing the face of the south ridge, way more than 4' of snow and ice there and we never even got to 8000' which is how high the PCT is 6-8 miles north of our campsite. The ice started in earnest at like 6800 or so, and there is a TON of snow in the mountains this year, way more than anyone I've talked to remembers.

 

[cddogfan1]

Going to watch this

 

[PMLKnives]

looks like a realy nice trip. I can't wait to do my small trip in June. Mostly drinking beer by a tent, not much hiking, but still in the woods.
Paul

 

[tradja]

Nice pics, I'd love to be there with you.

I'm wondering if you're going to have a problem with snow and ice up north of LA. We had a permit for San Gorgonio two weekends ago, but bailed on it after finding out the campsite we wanted was under 20' of pack snow. We went up Icehouse Canyon to Kelly's Camp in Cucamonga Wilderness instead (~5 miles from the PCT) and ended up traversing the face of the south ridge, way more than 4' of snow and ice there and we never even got to 8000' which is how high the PCT is 6-8 miles north of our campsite. The ice started in earnest at like 6800 or so, and there is a TON of snow in the mountains this year, way more than anyone I've talked to remembers.

Yep, there's still pretty good snow above 8000ft, but really just on the north faces. The snow is turning out to be an excellent water source when we're on high ridges for long stretches.

In Wrightwood, CA now, mile 350 up in the San Gabriels. The Ranger Afghan and PML are still going strong!

Silverwood Lake:

Wild onions:

Bivy at Mission Creek Trail Camp near Mt San Gorgonio:

 

[tradja]

A few more:

 

[koyote]

I spent a summer in wrightwood. Interesting town, good burgers.

Definitely a "high" point on the trail

 

[mtnfolk mike]

great stuff John... looks like you folks are having a blast.. thanks for all the updates..:thumbup: looking forward to more...

 

[x39]

Nice. What a great experience. Thanks for sharing tradja.

 

[Gossman Knives]

Thanks for sharing the pics. Looks like an awesome time so far. Stay safe.
Scott