Drucey on the PCT 2022

  Day 47-49 Day 47 we got up to frosty sleeping bags and cold and damp. We had the short climb over Kearsarge pass and then all downhill to onion Valley and headed to the highway to hitch to Bishop 41 miles away . On the way down the pass we met lots of hikers we knew coming out of Bishop, back on to the trail, which was great to catch up with what I have been doing.  Amazingly we got a hitch with the first car that left the car park down into the very small town of independence. And then after about 15 minutes waiting we got a great ride with a lady in the motorhome and just as we were about to leave Chevy and his brother Scott arrived and we all got a lift into Bishop together. Bishop is a small town on the Valley floor back into the desert which is mainly focused on tourism and outdoors sports. We    immediately headed for the Mexican recommended restaurant for an early lunch and also    caught up with many hikers who are just arriving in town too. ...

  Day 40 Day 40 was a Zero miles day to relax, resupply and prepare for entering the Sierras.  Grumpy’s restaurant has aN epic Pancakes challenge which Rockhopper achieved with room to spare. Resupply was at Triple Crown Outfitters a specialist hiker shop in a shipping container. This is where we picked up are Bear proof canister which are compulsory for the next 300 miles.  We had a great dinner with friends and Calls home. To finish the night Ken and Gil the trail angels we met a week ago arrived and we had a big catch up. 

  Day 39 This was the day that we finally made it and into Kennedy Meadows. We had 21 miles to go and planned for an early starts so we could get into the general store by lunchtime. We have been cowboy camping, just sleeping out under the stars. Morning I woke at 3:30 to have a P and they were no stars and lightning flashes in the distance. At about 4 o’clock it started raining and we all basically jumped up started packing and headed out for an early 415 start. The Lightning put on a great show for us but I was worried about it starting some fires which in fact it did but luckily behind where we were hiking. As the morning progressed for lightning and thunder, the rain increased and by the time we got to our designated second breakfast spot we were completely drenched.    I managed to cook the last of my Ramen for breakfast as my energy was super low and I need some food to finish the last 8 1/2 miles. Be there in just pushed on through the rain and arrived at the gener...

  Day 35 This morning the desert served up very cold start. As we only had 19 miles to cover today we took advantage and waited for the Sun to come over the mountains and started just after 7am.  An easy early walk to the water cashe and second breakfast. After a short break we had some proper climbing and my legs suffered through a 4 mile uphill section.    We were rewarded with amazing vies and or first glimpse of the Sierras and Mt Whitney. 

Day 34 A very cold start to the day. We were slow getting going but the warm layers came off soon as we worked hard into the day.  Our first water source was a beautiful spring about half a mile off trail. I was busy judging the noisy dirt bikes when the rider approached us with “ cookies M##### F###ers?” That’s how we met trail angel Cinnabear from Venice beach.  After relaxing in the lush green grass near the spring we. Headed out to the next water 8 miles away.   The landscape changed and we were back in the desert. Without the generosity of the trail angels providing water this section would be nearly impossible. The cashe was next to a dirt road with a solitary Joshua tree for shade. After lunch and a rest we headed back out into the harsh desert sun.  In the afternoon we got separated walking and made it through a big climb and cold winter final few miles to a somewhat sheltered camp all cold and exhausted. The desert is very cold at night.