On Our Journey

04.29.12

PCT or BUST!

05.01.12

Here are some photos from the first 45 miles of Amy and Allan's PCT adventure.  Although the beginning leg of the trail proved to be quite brutal, esp on Amy's feet, our hikers have managed to get through the first weeks trek.  Having transfered from one Greyhound bus to another, Greyhound failed to transfer their backpacks, so when they arrived in San Diego they were forced to delay the hop to Campo and the trail head by one night.  Thankfully, their packs arrived safely the following day.

05.01.12 p.m

Alas, the Mexican border and

the PCT head at the Southern Terminus 

monument.

They decided to spend the night in Campo California and begin their journey the following morning.

05.02.12 Midday

Over the first set of foothills and into the scorch

of the deserts heat.

Keeping cool through miles of sagebrush and cactus.

Meeting new friends along the trail.

05.02.12 p.m.

Reaching their first camp of the trail, all they can think of is a restful nights sleep.

05.03.12 a.m.

Prepping for the days heat and hike as the suns rays intensify.




Lake Morena in the distance

Descending into the valley of campers.

At last Morena, a welcomed site.










Enjoying a cool beverage with a newfound friend,







 taking in the simple comforts of a lawn chair in the shade, and...

tend to some sore

and blistered feet.










As darkness falls our hikers say good night for the evening

05.04.12 a.m.

After another restful nights sleep,
 our hikers are up and on the trail once again.

Lake Morena in the distance our hikers carry on

through desert marshes

and drying creek beds,

drinking water is a welcoming site so water reserves are filled in a cool stream.




Eager for rest and a nights sleep, our hikers take this shot peering through the top of their tent

05.05.12 a.m.

Dawn arrives and breakfast is being cooked

and served.

Back on the Pacific Crest Trail

and onward to Laguna Mountain.

Week 1 of the Pacific Crest Trail 2012

"Idiot"

One day our paint rep stopped by to see us at the shop and invited to take us to lunch, us being Johnny and I.  During lunch we got into a serious conversation regarding the type of clear coat material I was using to top coat the finish on a car.  All said and done Johnny was not happy that I refused to accept the paint reps suggestion to start purchasing a lower cost clear coat.  I refused on the basis that in the long run we would pay more as the material suggested called for more volume per mix, per say 5:1 (5 to 1) vs. 3:1 (3 to 1) mix ratio.

Anywho, enough tech talk.  We climbed aboard Johnny's Ford Bronco and on the way home Johnny decided to give me the "Silent" treatment (don't know why he was mad as I was trying to save him money?) and would not respond to any of my questions.  He and the rep continued conversing all the while not responding to any of my questions.  We soon came to a 4 way traffic stop light and I asked Johnny yet another question.  He looked over at the rep (seated shotgun) and in a sarcastic voice said "Did you hear something?" referring to me and my inquiries.  I thought, "ok, sucker, you wanna play funny games?".  At this traffic light (was a red light) we sat in the middle lane, to the left of us, the left turn lane with cars waiting to turn, to the right, the right lane.  I noticed that across the intersection no one was in that left turn lane.  I knew that when the signal changed to green, our side of the left turn lane would move first, then after a 5 second delay, our lanes would be given the green.

Johnny continued chatting it up with the rep and ignoring me.  I saw he was not paying full attention to the cars around us, so with that my plan unfolded.  The light turned green for the left turn lane cars and I shouted "GO!",  Johnny saw the car to the left move and took off on my order only to realize his light was still red, he then slammed on the brakes and killed the Bronco dead in the middle of the intersection (was a manual tranny).  He immediately turned back to look at me, brow cringed and shouted "You *!#*@ idiot!  I about died laughing of course which in turn pissed him off more than ever.  I had one last comment for my ole' buddy Johnny... "Who's the idiot?"   Not a word was spoken all the way back to the shop.  I still chuckle  about that to this day and now hope you have too.  Smile

It's The Climb

In just 10 short days, my daughter Amy and her fiance Allan

will be heading south to Baja California to the northbound head of the Pacific Crest Trail.  They'll be attempting  to complete the 2,650 mile hike in 4 months.    

Provisions for the trip include, but not limited to...

Personal gear...

a ton of dried foods...

stove and cooking utensils...

plus solar/satellite powered communications devices.

The hike begins in Campo, California

and ends in Manning Park, British Columbia.

Throughout the journey they will encounter scenes like this dry, arid, and barren section of the trail in Southern California


along with miles of  ungodly desert passes

Crossing the Crest trail over the San Gabriel mountains

and into the Mojave








ascending the Sierra Nevada with over 500 miles of mountainous terrain

Breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe

Awe inspiring views above Yosemite

Down into the high desert through Avalance Field

The sight of Mt. Shasta lends to the half way mark of 1,325 miles

Onward into Oregon near the jagged summit at Mt. Thielsen

Through miles of wildflower fields








On the way to the Cascade mountain range
















Alpine lakes





To the ancient volcano rim at Crater Lake




Back down the north slope into high desert

Threes Sisters wilderness area is no place for the faint at heart

Mile 2000 at Timberline, Mt. Hood

Beautiful shot of the PCT in Washington







Mt. Rainier section









Nearing the Canadian Border






Alas, the northern terminus and the end of the trail.

We Love You!
Happy Trails!