Day 2 - PCT 2024
Trail Miles hiked: 8.6
Total ascent: 1,941.3 ft
Total descent: 2,265.4 ft
I’m not sleeping well in camp. Getting comfortable seems difficult. I think I need to get another pillow for my knees. I’m going to try my puffy tonight and see if that works. Keeping the vestibule door open didn’t help the condensation inside my tent but it was lovely seeing the stars.
I got up ridiculously early. I haven’t broken out of my work routine yet. I decided to head out of camp around 7 and of course it started to rain as I was getting packed up. Enough that my tent was wet; the sand I was pitched in got everywhere. I embraced the rain and started my descent to Hauser Creek. It was steep in parts but overall not too challenging. The views were misty.
I only had 1L of water for the 4 mile journey to Hauser Creek so I decided not to break until I got down there. It was still lightly raining when I spread out for a snack at the creek. Jim rolled in and Troy shortly after. Both of them took off before I was finished filtering water for the 3 mile climb out of Hauser Canyon.
The sky cleared up as I began my ascent up the mountain. Thankfully it was mostly overcast with a light breeze. I couldn’t have asked for better weather for that hike. It’s steep, climbing over 1000ft in elevation in 3 miles. I had momentum and just hauled. I passed Jim and he looked hurt. His back has been bothering him but he decided to press on. I met a guy named Board Game who jokingly said he was going for the SKT (slowest known time) and that I should pass him. As I came around a switchback I ran into Sky Walker of the PCT Shuttle. She was hiking southbound from a side trail so she could see how the PCT hikers were doing. I then passed Troy closer to the top and he called out that I’m a mountain goat.
I thought it was weird that Kyle hadn’t caught up to me as he’s one of the faster hikers of our group but he turned up shortly after, as we neared closer to Lake Morena. He was impressed with my time getting up the mountain and assured me that I’m not slow, lol! 4.5 hours! We had a brief chat about mountain goat being my trail name but there’s so many goats out on trail he preferred “One Call”. Fitting coming from him, a pipeline engineer. I’m also guilty for checking work emails as they come in. I had a good laugh and agreed. One Call it is. I have a trail name!!! Matt also got his trail name today! He’s now Impulse.
Lake Morena is the first trail town on the PCT. There’s a restaurant with amazing burgers that’s a must try. Kyle arrived first. I arrived second. Troy third. We devoured our burgers. We met another hiker named Dime Bag, who was lovely and offered up his extra bunks in his cabin. Troy decided to continue hiking rather than staying in Lake Morena for the night which was sad to see him go. Jim came in but decided he needed to get off trail to get his back checked out.
The rest of our tramily (trail family) got a cabin and decided to cut our hike short for the day. We’re trying to limit the miles in the beginning so we avoid injury. Kyle, Riley, Matt, Krista, Roddy, and even Jo and Dean arrived at the cabin! Jo and Dean didn’t make it to camp yesterday because they had a late start on Day 1 after needing to ship massive bags ahead. They had been trying to catch up ever since! So glad they made it.
We also had our first trail magic! A couple, Yeti and Spaetzle, brought over beers to the hikers staying in the campground. They shared some fun stories and we were able to pick their brain
I’m feeling a couple hot spots on my feet so I’ve taped them with Lukotape. Overall a great day
