Day 15 we headed out of Big Bear and did 26 miles. The night before there was a BIG thunderstorm and we were thankful to have a roof over our heads. The thunderstorm kept things cool (but not too cold) and even though we had a late start (8:30 am) we were able to pull out 26 miles before 7 pm. We even had time to stop around 3 and have a nice, long chat with our hiker pal, Swic. For some reason we keep running into this guy. He is an older gentleman whose whife is driving around in a sleeper camper picking him up at intersections and dropping him off wherever he wants to go next. Whenever we see him, he is going southbound but we keep running into him as we go north. Anyway, the day was great. We hooked up with our new friend, Ducky, and hiked with him nearly all day. It was really quite pleasant and we found a beautiful spot to camp next to a stream. As we were falling asleep, MudD pointed out that this was the first time the whole trip that we would be camping next to running water (I mean besides the times we slept next to faucets). The stars were really bright that night, the temperature was just perfect, and the sound of the running water put us right to sleep.
Day 16 - 25 miles - mile 292-317
This day was not as pleasant as the day before. It turns out that the creek we had slept next to (Deep Creek) would be our guide for nearly the whole day which means we had a nice view... but we were also extremely exposed to the sun. And it was hot. Really hot. The trail was cut into the edge of the canyon walls so there were really no trees to speak of so we didn't really take a break. The worst part of the day was that something happened to MudD's shoes. He may have had a two blisters before this day... at the end of the day he had 8. And these weren't just normal blisters. These were blisters on steroids. He kept stopping and trying to tape them up and they just got bigger and bigger under the tape while more blisters formed around the tape. But MudD, ever the stoic, kept moving on. At one point we passed a beautiful hot spring that we would have loved to spend time at but it was a Saturday and there were tons of people there. It was an awkward mix of locals having parties and hikers in the middle of a three day long party. It just wasn't our scene. So we kept going. We made it 21 miles (our goal for the day) by 3 pm and realized we couldn't stay there. The water source that we had planned to stop at was being used by the locals and as off roading course. They were driving their 4 wheel drive vehicles through the water that we had planned on filtering and and all over the grounds we planned to sleep on. It just wasn't going to happen. So off we went again. Our new plan was to make it to mile 318 where there was supposed to be more water. Luckily, we ran into some trail angles around mile 314 who let us fill our water bottles with them and even had root beer floats for us. They informed us that it was 95 degrees (!!!!!!!) and it was 5 pm. We had been walking through brutally hot weather without even realizing it. Finally around mile 316.5 the blister on the bottom of MudD's foot just got too painful and we had to pop it... terrible mistake. The pain that MudD was in after popping that blister was even worse. We hobbled on until we found good camping and stopped for the night. What we didn't realize is that we stopped only 1 mile from the water! We thought we were two miles away at least! Oh well. Although the day was really terrible, it was a really beautiful and comfortable night.
Day 17 - 17 miles - Mile 317 to 334
When we woke up, MudD tested his feet out was in excruciating pain. I was all for taking a zero day on the mountain. I would go get water, we had plenty of food, and we could spend a relaxing day letting MudD's blisters heal. But whereas I would have been content relaxing all day, MudD would have gone crazy. So he taped up his feet really well and off we went. We thought we would only go 13 miles (we always underestimate) and off we went. Today was even hotter than the day before. We were fully sweating by 7:30. But we knew there was a lake somewhere up the way. We made it to the lake and took shelter under a pavilion at the picnic area around 11 am. Now normally when we take our breaks, MudD hates any time we spend not hiking. But today was so hot that even he wasn't wanting to go out and hike in it. We stayed there for six glorious hours. There was a water fountain, a lake to take a dip in, and nice families that gave us extra food. One family even gave us their leftover baby food. It was kind of weird but we sure at it up anyway. Fruit is hard to come by on the trail and mine was apple, pear, and banana. Anway, we left around 5 pm even though we were still sweating in the shade. The next 5.5 miles weren't that bad. We rocked it out in less than 2 hours, set up the tent, and relaxed as the sun went down. Oh I forgot! We saw another rattlesnake! Actually, I saw it under a rock, pointed it out to MudD who immediately took my hiking pole and poked it. That thing started ratteling like crazy! I took off like a shot and sprinted for the next twenty yards, imagining the snake had taken down MudD already and was after me next. When I turned around I saw that MudD was fine and I had left him to on his own to deal with the snake.
Day 18 - 9 miles - Mile 334 to 342
Today was the day that MudD's feet finally broke. We made it to mile 342 which is well known around the PCT community because there is a McDonalds .4 miles off the trail. Everyone goes there. By this point of the hike, everyone needs all the calories we can get and McDonalds is the place to go to get calories. I think the thought of an airconditioned McDonalds was the only thing that got MudD through those last 9 miles. The problem is that the pain from his blisters was changing his gait so his heels are bruised up pretty good. Luckily there is a Best Western by the McDonalds. We booked a room as soon as we got into town. I was very worried about MudD's feet. We have been dating for two years now and I have never seen MudD in more pain. I mean this guy works outside in Alaska at negative 40 degrees with broken fingers and he doesn't complain. He was hurting. So after we got some food in us, I came up with a great idea. We rented a car, drove to REI, returned MudD's boot, and got him new ones. MudD had always hiked with Keens before and he changed to Merrills for this hike. I guess MudD is just a Keen guy. As soon as he put those boots on, I could see a clear difference in the way he was walking. They weren't pinching his heels and the pressure on his blisters had lessened. It was amazing. It was a complete transformation. With his old boots he was limping like crazy. With the new ones he was walking almost normal. So hopefully the problem is solved! We are staying here tonight and might head out early tomorrow morning. If we don't get a move on then we will wait till its later and cooler to head out. We have a 20 mile climb ahead of us and don't want to do it in the heat!
Day 19! ZERO DAY!!!!!!! We woke up and found out our friends Giddy Up, Wocka (Julia), and Sneaks are not too far behind us. Why not rest all day and take off tomorrow morning!
Picture time!
sending Light to MudD's boo boos!
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