Day 61 - PCT 2024
Miles Hiked: 13.9
Total Ascent: 2,005.6 ft.
Total Descent: 2,107.3 ft.
I was hoping to get up earlier than I did. The desert is certainly heating up going into mid May. Over 30 degrees Celsius in the afternoons now. There’s a bit of a breeze today, thankfully. I’m not built for the heat. At least it’s a dry heat here. I miss that about Alberta. BC is far too hot and humid. I’m not really missing that climate.
Today was a lot more poodle dog bush but I stuck to the trail rather than the road walk because I wanted to see mile 500. And I’m so happy I did. I’ve been feeling a bit down the last couple of days. With my knee giving me problems and not knowing how to handle the Sierras, I’ve just felt a bit out of sorts. But I’m at 500 miles! 500 hard miles on the PCT. It hasn’t been easy but boy has it been fun. I did that! I actually hiked to mile 500! I did a little dance while listening to The Proclaimers - I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles). I mean, how could you not listen to this song at such a milestone?! I felt refreshed. Revived. I really do want to walk 500 more miles. I’m so beyond proud of myself and really, that’s all that matters. I’m here to accomplish something hard and I did. I’m good with it.
I had a bit of energy in my step walking the last 8 miles to camp. My knee was definitely acting up but I was riding my 500 mile wave as long as I could. I stopped to fill water at a guzzler. If you told me, even 5 years ago, I’d be drinking water out of sketchy sources I’d have laughed. But here I am, filtering water from whatever sources I can find. The guzzler was actually cold and clear. I drank half a litre while I stretched my knee. Refreshing!
I listened to the playlist Malcolm made on Spotify, aptly named Power. Perhaps ironic, or maybe just funny, Alice Cooper - Long Way to Go came on as I was under a mile to camp. I laughed to myself. Hilarious.
By the time I reached camp, my knee was sore. Really sore. I had to wait over an hour before I could hike the 0.2 miles down to the stream below camp to collect water. It was steep and I mistakenly left my trekking poles up at camp. I limped back up the slope carrying 3 litres of water. At least I’ll be good for tonight and hopefully most of tomorrow. The pain isn’t good. I sat at the picnic bench filtering water and having a bit of a cry. I’m worried about my hike. I think at this point I need to try to make it to Tehachapi and stop while I work on rehabbing my knee before the Sierras. I’m terrified of stopping because I don’t want real life to get in the way. But the pain is becoming too much to handle now and something has to give.
2,144.9 miles to go. It sure is a long way to go. I’ll try my hardest to get there.
