[pct-l] More Thru-hiker sightings

[Karl Brandt <brandt@snf.Stanford.EDU>]

For the first time in entirely too long, I put my backpack on this
weekend and headed for Ebbetts Pass with a few friends. We hiked 5
miles south along the PCT to Nobel Lake. 

Friday, we met Foxtrot, a 2-time AT veteran. He had gotten a late
start of May 26 and appeared to be moving along pretty well. He
estimated that there were about 30 thru-hikers behind him. Not more
than an hour later, we met Robert Taylor another AT veteran. Robert
was going slightly slower and was having trouble with shin splints.
Also, Robert was managing to get an hour or so of fishing in each day
which meant he was eating quite well for a thru-hiker.

I've forgotten the name of the fellow we met Sunday but I think it was
David. He was originally planning on heading southbound but had to
change because of the snow in Washington. He'd started at Kennedy
Meadows and was headed north. His plan was to return to Kennedy
Meadows after reaching Canada and heading south to Campo from there.
He was somewhat concerned that he his daily miles were only in the
high teens. 

The trail itself was in good shape. There were still plenty of snow
patches left in the shaded areas but they were easily negotiable. The
winds at Nobel lake kept the mosquitos down although they were
ferocious in places along the trail.

On Saturday, we climbed nearby Tyron Peak 9925' which had views as far
south as Sonora Pass and north Mt. Tallac over Emerald Bay.

Getting back to the Sierras did me worlds of good. I could feel the
stress of daily life disappear as soon as I had my backpack on.

Everything from the sounds of the wind in the trees, the smell mule
ear, and the sight of a wind ravished Foxtail pines all seemed warmly
familiar. Even the scent of DEET felt like being reacquainted with an
old friend.

-Karl

*********************************************************************
Karl "Birdman" Brandt PCT97 LT98                       (650) 725-3686
http://gump1.stanford.edu/kbrandt/

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