John Manning of TGO Magazine is off in the States walking
the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail, quite a few of you were wondering
how he's getting on with the bears, the through hikers and the cacti,
so here's the here's the second of his updates from the trail.
For more information about the PCT, see the Pacific
Crest Trail Association web site. Unfortunately John hasn't been
able to send us any pics, but if you want an idea of the sort of
awesome scenery he's hiking right now, check out this picture
gallery :-)
Walking brewery...
I'm in Tehachapi after crossing one of the tougher sections of the
PCT in the company of Mancunian Ian Schofield, brewer of the finest
British ales this side of the Atlantic.
Ian took advantage of a weekend wedding in LA to travel down from
his home further north in California to join me for three days
beforehand - his dates dictated that we crossed the Mojave desert
together. It was hot, dry and tough underfoot - Ian's blisters are
hopefully recovering by now - but we were fortunate in having cloud
and a strong wind to cool things.
Wind: this area is covered in thousands of those evil wind turbine
things. So far the weather throughout the trip has been amazing -
we've had warmth, when many years crossings have had snow, and cloud,
and breezes when it should be scorching hot. This last stretch the
temps only hit 99 degrees F. Which is cool. Nearest it come to rain
was yesterday when clouds blew down from the pass while we waited at
Tehachapi Willow Springs Road for Ian's wife to bring us to
Tehachapi.
Recent PCT highlights have included the Saufleys' in Agua Dulce
where I spent three nights along with 50 other hikers (a record)
doing laundry, shopping trips etc. I replaced some gear, in LA,
cruised Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena (where the little Old Lady
comes from), and generally didn't sleep much due to the crowds.
Beers, taco, salad and
more
Also stayed in the garden at the Andersons in Green Valley - their
home, Casa Luna, is an ongoing party. These trail angels drive to the
trailhead several times a day to recruit more hikers for their party
- beers, taco, salad and more is always available. Great relaxing
night's sleep under a tree in the garden there.
We also called in at Hiker Town, a strange place that's probably
even stranger than when the Late Jack Fair ran it. One of the
creepier nights of the trail so far - odd job man John spent the
night relating tales from his favourite prisons; we all slept in
threes in trailers scattered around the desert there to be a little
surer of coming out alive.
So you're thinking what's happened to this wilderness trail
experience I'm supposed to be having? Me too. In part it's become one
big, fluid, moving party, travelling through some astonishing
landscapes. The Mojave stretch was made memorable by numerous Joshua
Tree woodlands on the floor of the Antelope valley and the spotting
of a coyote there. That was a dry stretch - only two flowing streams
within 40-odd miles.
Camping on Baden Powell
Other recent highlights have included camping on top of Mt Baden
Powell - great sunset and sunrise, and great moving sea of cloud
stretching to the horizon, us on an island of rock above it - despite
such strong winds that tents couldn't be erected without being blown
away. Enjoyed the experience so much I've slept in the open ever
since - My PHD sleeping bag is so warm I've noticed neither winds nor
cold.
Wildlife sightings include Big Horn Sheep and one couple have seen
bear twice. Lucky devils.
Recent landscape, apart from the desert, not too thrilling - head
high bushes blocking views of more head high bushes; trails winding
senselessly around private properties.
Future looks green , mountainous and promising, with no e-mail
contact.,
Gotta go - I'm half way through and thrown off again!
Have fun all
Love and cheers,
John Manning
Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail
