PCT Day 16 – What Happens in a Trail Town

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into town

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2nd May 2015

Mileage 4.3

Bushcamp (261.7) to Big Bear Lake (266)

Into Town

I only had a very couple of miles to make it to a highway and hitch hike into town. I’m not somebody who would normally hitch hike. Yes, I’ve done it before but not often. It was around 8am when I arrived on the highway. Initially I was on the wrong side of the road to hitch so I crossed to the right hand side of the road.

As I prepared to hitch a car came along so I stuck the thumb out. The car stopped and I was dropped off within a 5 minute walk to my place of abode. I waited about 20 seconds for the lift. The dude who picked me up was awesome, as every other person I’ve met on this hike has been.

My time in any town along the trail is near enough the same. First thing is eat, then pick up my bounce box, charge my phone/camera/batteries, then wash clothes, then shower, then shop for supplies, then eat again, socialise, then bed. There is very little free time. It all takes several hours depending how far everything is from each other. It allows time for my body to rest and recover. However, over the next 200-300 miles I plan on not having any days off from hiking.

Over the past 16 days my body and mind are feeling very strong. I still have a little twinge in my knee that comes and goes. My joints are tender after the longest of days but generally fine within and hour or so if hiking. My previously tender city feet are now hardened and no longer a problem, though I may lose a toenail in the coming days or weeks. I feel ready to step up the mileage a bit. As of today I have completed 10% of the trail! Yay for me.

Here is an interesting thing to keep in mind about hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. More people have stood on the summit of Mt Everest than have completed the whole of the Pacific Crest Trail. Further to that, the success rate for climbers on Everest is higher than the success rate for hikers completing the Pacific Crest Trail. Just putting things in perspective.

The flowers on this shrub smelt much better than I
The flowers on this shrub smelt much better than I
I'm Still stopping to check out the birds
I’m Still stopping to check out the birds

Next : Day 17 – Trapped in the Vortex

The Best information about the Pacific Crest Trail:
Complete Guide to the Pacific Crest Trail
Resupply Guide for the PCT
PCT Gear List

PCT Gear Review

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About the Author:
Brad is an Australian who has completed the hiking Triple Crown after he hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail and Appalachian Trail. He has hiked on every continent (except Antarctica) and has cycled from Alaska to Ecuador. He is an expert on outdoor gear currently living in Chile.

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4 thoughts on “PCT Day 16 – What Happens in a Trail Town”

  1. I also am enjoying following your journey! I look forward to your new posts in my email, keep ’em coming so that I might live vicariously through you while I heal my broken fibula.

    Reply
    • You’re welcome Monique. Glad you enjoy the journey. Took me 6 months to get over my broken Fib many years ago, hope it’s not that long for you,

      Reply

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