Saturday, April 29 Start: sandy camp Stop: Julian 4.5 miles We’re up early and hitching before 8am. Julian is awesome and we feast on Carmen breakfast burritoes, Mom’s pie and Nickel beer. Hikers work on their blisters and update their blogs. I chat with Lil’ Buddha and the update is that now that the bear … More Days 5-6: To Julian and Back
Friday, April 28 Start: Pioneer Picnic Stop: Scissors Crossing Valley 21.82 miles One by one we roll out of Pioneer as the sky colors up. It’s just so perfect out and I’m truly happy to be here in this moment. I’m flying down the trail, smiling at the beauty around me. I listen to some … More Day 4: Up and Around and Around
Thursday, April 27 Start: Lower Meadow Morris Spring Stop: Pioneer Picnic Area 13.79 miles The wind rips all night. The vortex of wind is easily a sustained 20-30 mph. My tent sways to and fro as I toss and turn. It’s only a few miles into Mt. Laguna so I sleep in until 6am. Bear … More Day 3: A Fox and an ElliptiGO
Wednesday, April 26 Start: Lake Morena Stop: Lower Meadow Morris Spring 20 miles The first miles are cool and after I get up on a ridge top I message Lil’ Buddha. Bear update is that the bear outsmarted the culvert trap probably due to the wet soggy soil and unstable footing of the trap. At … More Day 2: The Drag
Tuesday, April 25 Start: Southern Terminus Stop: Lake Morena 20.6 miles Multiple alarms go off at 430am, followed by the rustle of backpacks being loaded with gear. The Scout and Frodo breakfast promptly starts at 530am and hikers gobble down fritatta, fresh fruit, muffins and coffee. I decide to call Lil’ Buddha for a bear … More Day 1: Bear Business
Week Total: 0 Back when I started all this training business, I made the goal to hike 25 miles every week and 100 miles before I left. As the sun rose on Monday, I had a total of 84 miles completed and only 16 miles left to reach my 100 mile goal. There was no … More Training: April 17 – 23
Week Total: 20.1 April 10 ~ 2 miles I push out in a sad stupor, kinda bleary from a tramatic day at the dentist. $1700 of unexpected work hits the budget HARD. I do my loops around the reservoir which don’t really register as all my focus is on sending Cherub a WhatsApp message. I’m … More Training: April 10 – 16
Week Total: 8 For pics and stories about why I didn’t get hikes in everyday, visit my Instagram. April 3 ~ 1.8 miles I sit down on the front deck recliner and it’s just so nice out. I just want to keep sitting here, so I do. What would make this view even better? How about a … More Training: April 3 – 9
Week Total: 25.2 March 27 ~ 5 miles I made a deal with myself that if I didn’t get a sub job, I would hike at least 5 miles that day. I also made the deal with myself that if I’m hiking 5 or more miles that I will always carry my backpack. So I head … More Training: March 27 – April 2
Week Total: 25.7 miles March 20 ~ 2.1 miles The rain can not deter me. Can. Not. Deter. There is no waiting for the good weather. It’s crunch time so I suit up in my rain skirt and umbrella and brave the muddy path of enlightenment. Things are beautiful and drippy. My phone jingles and … More Training: March 20 – 26
Journey Return 