Sunday, May 23, 2010
SNOW snow go away
Jill and I are about to leave Big Bear hostel and it's snowing... about 2 inches. Hope we can see the trail. Ugh
Friday, May 21, 2010
Snowy Days
Wow, so much to catch up on, but the theme of this post is Fuller Ridge (elevation 8725). Fuller Ridge? That 5.3 mile stretch just after the city of Idyllwild? Yes, it should be a measly 12 miles on the PCT, maybe a little steep to get to it, but nothing too harsh. That is, unless it has snow on it and you do not have snow gear. Also, the trail is hidden under the snow so you have to do what you can with a map, compass, and good street smarts.
Therefore, Jill and I originally chose to take the road, 16 miles, to avoid sliding to an icy death. Then we met Picker, who hands out minty toothpicks on the trail. He lives in the Tahoe area and ski's ALL the time. He promised to show us safely to the other side of the ridge, teach us some navigating tricks, and have a great time doing it.
Basically, I slipped a bajillion times and slid all over the place. Thankfully there was no dramatic end to any of the falls because the snow was beginning to melt. It was just extremely frustrating, and I must confess, at times it was truly embarrassing. One time, I was walking across a rotten log and just rolled off on my back into the bushes. Jill loved that fall. I also told Jill to stop pointing and laughing at me another time. She was not pointing. We laugh about that, now.
We faced the snow with no crampons or ice axe. Crampons would have been greatly appreciated.
Therefore, Jill and I originally chose to take the road, 16 miles, to avoid sliding to an icy death. Then we met Picker, who hands out minty toothpicks on the trail. He lives in the Tahoe area and ski's ALL the time. He promised to show us safely to the other side of the ridge, teach us some navigating tricks, and have a great time doing it.
Basically, I slipped a bajillion times and slid all over the place. Thankfully there was no dramatic end to any of the falls because the snow was beginning to melt. It was just extremely frustrating, and I must confess, at times it was truly embarrassing. One time, I was walking across a rotten log and just rolled off on my back into the bushes. Jill loved that fall. I also told Jill to stop pointing and laughing at me another time. She was not pointing. We laugh about that, now.
We faced the snow with no crampons or ice axe. Crampons would have been greatly appreciated.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Can you borrow Navigation Skills?
Anyone who knows Lander, knows that she gets lost in her own neighborhood. This morning the girls knew they could make it to Idyl Wild by 11am. At 6 miles away, the trail and all the ground surrounding was covered with snow. Lander and Jill had to bust out their maps and compasses to find their way. They followed a stream, that ended up being the wrong stream, but eventually made it to their planned stop by 2pm. They ordered an 18inch pizza and ate the entire thing.
Lander felt like this week they did not pack enough food. They are learning from their mistakes and making great decisions. For example, Lander's feet are feeling much better and they brought cards this week and have been playing Nerks (is that what it's called?).
Her birthday is May 19th!!! Send her a shout out to Big Bear!
fyi, a couple got lost for two days trying to find Idyl Wild in the snow!
Prayer for Lander: Pray for her feet and her body as they hike 15 miles a day. Pray for them both because this next section to Big Bear is also covered with snow. Instead of taking the trail they are going to hike on the roads to Big Bear so they don't risk getting lost.
Pray that she feels celebrated and loved on her birthday!
Lander felt like this week they did not pack enough food. They are learning from their mistakes and making great decisions. For example, Lander's feet are feeling much better and they brought cards this week and have been playing Nerks (is that what it's called?).
Her birthday is May 19th!!! Send her a shout out to Big Bear!
fyi, a couple got lost for two days trying to find Idyl Wild in the snow!
Prayer for Lander: Pray for her feet and her body as they hike 15 miles a day. Pray for them both because this next section to Big Bear is also covered with snow. Instead of taking the trail they are going to hike on the roads to Big Bear so they don't risk getting lost.
Pray that she feels celebrated and loved on her birthday!
Friday, May 14, 2010
A little bird told me
Lander had a tiny visitor yesteday. She was resting on the ground, when all of the sudden a little hummingbird came to drop in on her. She said he got real close and just hovered by her. It was probably thoreau coming to cheer her on and encouraging her to pull out a pen and write lame poems. Jk. But it did seem to be a significant moment for Lander seeing that when I asked her if she wanted me to put anything on the blog and she told me about the bird.
This week they are maintaining 15 miles a day. They will gradually build up to 20 miles a day. Who knows, maybe more. Tomorrow they will reach Idylwild and then they start for Big Bear.
This week they are maintaining 15 miles a day. They will gradually build up to 20 miles a day. Who knows, maybe more. Tomorrow they will reach Idylwild and then they start for Big Bear.
Monday, May 10, 2010
New Gear
Recap, Jay gave us his two-person tent and Jill and I are sending out tents back home. Why? Well, because we realized that we won't be hiking without the other and it's more efficient to share weight. Also, we are weenies when it comes to cold weather and two people in a tent is warmer than one person in a tent.
As for the foot factor, I got three pairs of smartwool socks and three liners (thin nylon socks). I'll probably have to replace the shoes more often, but I'll have a lot less blisters in these Nike running shoes.
During the storm, about ten days ago, the wind blew my hat away. It's not as helpful on a cactus as it is on my head, but nature thought otherwise. I would really like a UNC hat, but we'll see if I can wait it out long enough for mailing.
As for the foot factor, I got three pairs of smartwool socks and three liners (thin nylon socks). I'll probably have to replace the shoes more often, but I'll have a lot less blisters in these Nike running shoes.
During the storm, about ten days ago, the wind blew my hat away. It's not as helpful on a cactus as it is on my head, but nature thought otherwise. I would really like a UNC hat, but we'll see if I can wait it out long enough for mailing.
Hitch Hiking
This morning, Jill and I woke up at 6:30, packed, walked three miles to the highway 15 and held out our thumbs wishing for the best. Border Patrol got on his speaker and told us hitch hiking was illegal in the state of California and then proceeded to ask us what the "*!&%" we were thinking, as did several cars. I would say the further you are from the PCT, the more dangerous it is to hitch hike. We were 60 miles from the trail and no one is really aware of hikers. We looked like a pair of very stupid young ladies.
However, we got three rides from good hearted people. The first ride was a woman who said she'd give us a ride as long as we promised not to rob her, the second was from a Latino gentleman from Bakersfield, and the third was a younger man who was scared we would be picked up by pshycos and drove 35 miles out of his way.
Thank you for picking us up! I will never hitch hike as far away as we did from the PCT again. It honestly made me a bit nervous at points and the "you girls are idiots" looks start getting to you.
However, we got three rides from good hearted people. The first ride was a woman who said she'd give us a ride as long as we promised not to rob her, the second was from a Latino gentleman from Bakersfield, and the third was a younger man who was scared we would be picked up by pshycos and drove 35 miles out of his way.
Thank you for picking us up! I will never hitch hike as far away as we did from the PCT again. It honestly made me a bit nervous at points and the "you girls are idiots" looks start getting to you.
Week on the Boat
So, Jill's brother, Jay, drove us to Lake Elsinore where we settled down for the night in our new two person tent! It is so roomy and amazing. It's actally Jay's tent, but he let us borrow it for the next few monts, what a champ. He also let us sleep on his boat for the week, took us to dinner, and let us borrow his car. Don't worry, we only wrecked it twice and you can't see the damage...
The "dinner night" was a lot of fun. Mainly because Jill had an entire bottle of champagne poured all over her at the restaurant. The restaurant was a Korean barbeque place with AMAZING food and if you tell the server it's your friend's birthday you get sprayed with champagne. I'm glad it wasn't me!
I have a few pictures to load later when I have the right equipment. Sigh, one day soon I'll have access to a computer almost 24/7. Until then, I just hike to them.
I did lose my phone to the deep blue sea. It ate it right up and, yes, it did bounce. Twice, in fact and then it made a "bloop" sound into the water, never to be seen again.
The only down side to the boat was that the toilet has yet to be installed so we had to get off the boat and use the marina bathrooms any time we needed use the facilities. It was a bummer when you had to go in the middle of the night, but really can I complain? Vacation time!
The "dinner night" was a lot of fun. Mainly because Jill had an entire bottle of champagne poured all over her at the restaurant. The restaurant was a Korean barbeque place with AMAZING food and if you tell the server it's your friend's birthday you get sprayed with champagne. I'm glad it wasn't me!
I have a few pictures to load later when I have the right equipment. Sigh, one day soon I'll have access to a computer almost 24/7. Until then, I just hike to them.
I did lose my phone to the deep blue sea. It ate it right up and, yes, it did bounce. Twice, in fact and then it made a "bloop" sound into the water, never to be seen again.
The only down side to the boat was that the toilet has yet to be installed so we had to get off the boat and use the marina bathrooms any time we needed use the facilities. It was a bummer when you had to go in the middle of the night, but really can I complain? Vacation time!
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Hit'n the trails
Lander is sleeping under the stars tonight and hitting the trails tomorrow with Jill. Pray for them as they make their way to the trail towards Canada, o Canada. Send her a poem or something.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Cell Away Lander
As Lander was 'sailing' she had an incident with her cell. Not to be confused with the sail. If you call her cell and someone answeres it is probably Ariel or King Tritan cause the girl has gone and thrown her cell into the ocean.
She claims she dropped the phone in the boat and it 'bounced' in to the deep blue sea. Do cell phones really 'bounce'?
Which reminds me of the time Uncle Bill dropped it keys into the ocean off his boat and Aunt Barbara had to drive all the way to the outterbanks to give him the spare key to his car.
feel free to post your own memories :)
She claims she dropped the phone in the boat and it 'bounced' in to the deep blue sea. Do cell phones really 'bounce'?
Which reminds me of the time Uncle Bill dropped it keys into the ocean off his boat and Aunt Barbara had to drive all the way to the outterbanks to give him the spare key to his car.
feel free to post your own memories :)
Monday, May 3, 2010
Flowers
The flowers on the trail are amazing! I have never spent time in desert land, so the plant life is all new to me.
I only have a minute left on the internet, but here is one of our favorites! It's the beavertail cactus. 
Trail Mentality
After much discussion, Jill and I have decided to enjoy the trail as much as possible and do only what the trail gives us. We are going to maintain a laid back mentality and take breaks when needed.
At first, this week off seemed like a weak decision, but I've realized that it's the best we could have made. If we truly want to finish the trail or do as much as possible, we have to take care of what is important. Simple enough, right? For some reason the right thing always seems to be the tough decision, or I'm in a dramatic mood and everything is the end of the world as I know it.
A friend from college, Kara, found a journal she wrote in from third grade. One page read, "I sense my death is upon me. Give my teddy bear to Brad."
It's funny how dramatic we are when we are young, and then how dramatic I find myself being at age 23!
At first, this week off seemed like a weak decision, but I've realized that it's the best we could have made. If we truly want to finish the trail or do as much as possible, we have to take care of what is important. Simple enough, right? For some reason the right thing always seems to be the tough decision, or I'm in a dramatic mood and everything is the end of the world as I know it.
A friend from college, Kara, found a journal she wrote in from third grade. One page read, "I sense my death is upon me. Give my teddy bear to Brad."
It's funny how dramatic we are when we are young, and then how dramatic I find myself being at age 23!
Blisters
In my first 110 miles of the PCT I had the pleasure of welcoming 11 blisters. What a blast. Especially when starting the trail, everyone is giving all sorts of advice and tid bits at what should and/or should not be done.
However, so far in my experience, the best care has been gauze and duct tape.
Ideally, you stop the blister before it happens. If you sense a blister coming along it's called a "hot spot" and you can use mole skin to prevent it. Lots of experienced hikers suggest washing your socks twice a day and letting your feet cool everytime you take a break. This means every time you come across a stream take off your shoes and let your feet enjoy the water.
There are several possible causes to my blisters and blisters in general. Three main reasons for me were heat, shoes, and socks. Yes, I confess, I wore cotton socks for two days and had only one pair of smartwool awesome socks. There's a famous saying on the trail that is "death by cotton" because it holds in all the moisture and just ruins your feet.
In order to protect your feet from heat in the desert, one can get thin 100% nylon socks and wear breathable running shoes.
I will have smartwool and 100% nylon socks, asics running shoes, and will be stopping an obnoxious amount of times to give my feet rest.
Tom, a trail angel who hiked the trail a few years ago, also explained the importance of keeping the feet raised when sitting or sleeping. Some hikers put a towel on the wall near the head of the bed for their feet at night so they don't get the wall dirty. While camping, you can use your pack at night for a foot rest while you sleep.
Tom also said the best blister care, which I have only tried on one blister and it seemed to work as well, is relieving the blister (make sure EVERYTHING is sanitized) then putting lamolin (breastfeeding ointment) and lambs wool over the blister and covering it with athletic tape. The main idea is to relieve the blister and help it dry out.
On the trail, you have to take the best care of your feet possible. An infection caused by a blister can get into your blood stream if you are not careful and put you off the trail for a good bit.
However, so far in my experience, the best care has been gauze and duct tape.
Ideally, you stop the blister before it happens. If you sense a blister coming along it's called a "hot spot" and you can use mole skin to prevent it. Lots of experienced hikers suggest washing your socks twice a day and letting your feet cool everytime you take a break. This means every time you come across a stream take off your shoes and let your feet enjoy the water.
There are several possible causes to my blisters and blisters in general. Three main reasons for me were heat, shoes, and socks. Yes, I confess, I wore cotton socks for two days and had only one pair of smartwool awesome socks. There's a famous saying on the trail that is "death by cotton" because it holds in all the moisture and just ruins your feet.
In order to protect your feet from heat in the desert, one can get thin 100% nylon socks and wear breathable running shoes.
I will have smartwool and 100% nylon socks, asics running shoes, and will be stopping an obnoxious amount of times to give my feet rest.
Tom, a trail angel who hiked the trail a few years ago, also explained the importance of keeping the feet raised when sitting or sleeping. Some hikers put a towel on the wall near the head of the bed for their feet at night so they don't get the wall dirty. While camping, you can use your pack at night for a foot rest while you sleep.
Tom also said the best blister care, which I have only tried on one blister and it seemed to work as well, is relieving the blister (make sure EVERYTHING is sanitized) then putting lamolin (breastfeeding ointment) and lambs wool over the blister and covering it with athletic tape. The main idea is to relieve the blister and help it dry out.
On the trail, you have to take the best care of your feet possible. An infection caused by a blister can get into your blood stream if you are not careful and put you off the trail for a good bit.
Week(ish) Off
Yes, I decided to take a week off. My feet are a wreck and the best way to heal is to give them some time off the trail. Therefore, I am staying on Jill's brother's sail boat. Her brother's name is Jay and he bought the boat about three weeks ago.
We took the boat, 27 feet long, out yesterday and had a blissful time sailing around Long Beach in LA county. Believe it.
Jill and I rolled into Warner Springs knowing there had to be a few changes. First off, Jill's sleeping bag is old and is not keeping her warm at night. Secondly, my feet are a mess and I need new shoes.
So, Jill is currently looking up ultralight sleeping bags and we will both probably buy liners and I'm going to hit up a running shoe store in the next few days.
Jay came to the rescue and is letting us sleep on his boat AND use his car. Do not worry, we have the hook up.
We took the boat, 27 feet long, out yesterday and had a blissful time sailing around Long Beach in LA county. Believe it.
Jill and I rolled into Warner Springs knowing there had to be a few changes. First off, Jill's sleeping bag is old and is not keeping her warm at night. Secondly, my feet are a mess and I need new shoes.
So, Jill is currently looking up ultralight sleeping bags and we will both probably buy liners and I'm going to hit up a running shoe store in the next few days.
Jay came to the rescue and is letting us sleep on his boat AND use his car. Do not worry, we have the hook up.
Poor Landa
You know the disney cartoon movie Peter Pan when the father trips and crashes into Nana? And all the kids and mother run over and say, "Poor Nana." Well our "poor Landa" is taking a few more days off this week to let her feet heal. But how is she taking them off? She is staying on a sail boat in Santa Barbara! She got to go sailing yesterday. Apparently, her and Jill are almost naturals when it comes to sailing.
(Uncle Bill is dying of jealousy right now.)
When she finds internet she will post more stuff. That might even be today!
Everyone post something that will make her smile!
(Uncle Bill is dying of jealousy right now.)
When she finds internet she will post more stuff. That might even be today!
Everyone post something that will make her smile!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Warner Springs, Lander has arrived
(this picture is to show that is stinking cold where lander is!)Total blisters: 11
Lander and Jill made it to Warner Springs saturday. They hiked 20 miles thursday, 18 friday, and 10 on saturday. The weather has been rainy and there is still snow on the ground. Not what I expected to hear at all. I will do some weather research, but I am pretty sure that this isn't typical for this time of the year.
Lander and Jill made it to Warner Springs saturday. They hiked 20 miles thursday, 18 friday, and 10 on saturday. The weather has been rainy and there is still snow on the ground. Not what I expected to hear at all. I will do some weather research, but I am pretty sure that this isn't typical for this time of the year.
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