March 2nd - Getting Started

Day 1

Betsy dropped me off at highway 94 where it crosses the PCT and where I finished my short walk yesterday afternoon. No tears at least none I could see. 

41 degrees under light overcast at 7:30 am. The trail is very well maintained and unusually wide at times. Purple flowering bushes are everywhere - lilacs?  

An occasional red species will capture the eye. 

Seemingly all alone on the trail, but if I had forgotten something I surely could pick it up from the stuff left behind by transients. No need for an extra jacket, there's one on the trail. 

The view from the trail down an unnamed canyon. 

19 miles today. That's a record for this old bag of bones. I can't say it was easy. With five liters of water my pack was close to 40 pounds. I knew I was struggling a bit when I missed an obvious turn and walked an extra half mile before realizing my mistake. So what was supposed to be 18 turned into 19. The last mile passed by without water. 

Camp was at Lake Morena campground where I met John from Napa. I guess I can't complain as John was carrying a tripod in addition to 9 liters when he started. The smart one - he covered the distance in two days and then took a zero day as well. 

As the sun set I made dinner and then took it with me to the showers. After a freezing shower I ate my dinner as I warmed up. 

Now I'm snug in my bed. I'm sorry I was unable to contact anyone tonight as cell service disappeared as soon as I hit the valley. 

Allen