Journal Update 11 May 2000 Part 1

I'm in Mt. Laguna, having just received my first "mail drop".  I had 40
minutes before the post office closed to open it, sort through what I
have left over of the old stuff, and repack the leftovers and send them
to Warner Springs, the next resupply point.  Surprise! a bag full of
cheese powder has opened, and everything -- sneakers, hole punch, food,
everything -- is covered with cheese. Eh, Grommmit?

[5-9]
First day on the PCT.  I wake up at the railroad station at 0300 to use
the bathroom, and decide to stay up and get an early start. By 0547 I've
had breakfast, fixed up my umbrella with a Mylar cover, and packed.  My
first big gaff of the trip: Coughing up a storm with a cough that I've
had for a while, I reach for the water bottle but grab the alcohol fuel
bottle instead. Luckily very little of the big mouthful made it to my
throat -- I spewed it everywhere.  Gargling and rinsing took a while.
At the monument, I pause for a while while I guzzle a liter of water. 
Its a privilege to be there again after 6 years.  Behind me is miles of a
green metal wall that unsuccessfully tries to keep Mexicans from entering
the US illegally. Those failures will affect the next 50 miles of the
PCT.

Compared with the last attempt, I feel great.  The weather is cooler, my
pack is lighter, my footwear well tested. My mylar-covered umbrella seems
to be effective but not effective enough for the handling trouble.  There
is a broken (Mexican?) sandal on the trail. The hills, covered in white
boulders and green manzanita bushes, are spectacular. They show drainagr
paths clearly like the close-shorn hills of New Zealand.
After about 11 miles, I pass a place where last attempt I sat down in
agony and frustration and ripped out part of my orthotics. Now my feet
are feeling great - better than when rising this morning. Maybe 6 years
of preparation and experimentation will pay off.
Mile 15 -- the PCTA website said that Hauser Creek had water, but I see
none. I have paced my water well and finished it about 2 miles ago -- but
now it is 5 miles and a 1000-foot climb in the hot sun to the next water
source. The climb is slow and I tire quickly.  My mouth is dry. I stop in
the shade behind a large boulder for half an hour to let the sun drop
some more.  When I get to my feet I'm weak and nauseous but it passes.
Much later I'm to the top of the saddle.  Behind the hill, the shade is
more prevalent and I make better progress but it is a long hike to Lake
Morena.
Finally I arrive, and am 5 miles ahead of my schedule.  AT the campground
are three other hikers. Some camping neighbors bring over hotdogs and we
have trail magic on our first day!


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