Urbanised Bears

Perhaps these bears have been away from the wilderness too long?

Mt. Whitney summit

Joe and I celebrate the end of our JMT hike at the top of Mt. Whitney.

Eagle Rock

    Last month I was able to attend the Annual Day Zero PCT Kick Off (ADZPCTKO) and hike the PCT section A, from the border monument to Warner Springs. Met all the usual suspects, Meadow Ed, Billy Goat, Tattoo Jo, et. al.  Great fun.  The weather was mild and I had a great time.

    I could not help but think about all those that have walked this path before me.  The trail angels were out in force, catering to the northbound herd. Water was easily obtained from natural sources and water caches. One fellow (Catspaw) was handing out ice cream cones at the Scissors Crossing water cache (Anza Borrego Desert).  He had it on dry ice!

    I arrived at Eagle Rock about an hour before sunset. What a magical place. I sat down with a thru-hiker (Backtrack) and we chatted a bit while we watched a pair of finches nesting in a nearby shrub. Although I had another 5 miles to get myself to Warner Springs, I felt no rush to leave this place.  I've come to feel very passionate about the PCT, and plan to thru-hike it some future year.

Pacific Crest Trail southern terminus

Anza Berego, San Felipe traverse

    With the JMT hike coming up soon, and having some vacation time, I decided to run down to Mexico and hike section A of the PCT.  Section A goes from the southern terminus near Campo, CA to Warner Springs, CA 110 miles north.  All went well.  Had a very enjoyable 5 days.  I was happy with my gear choices and got to meet some really cool people.  Had a great time hiking with some 2009 thru-hikers.  Hope to see some of them again as we head south on the JMT, although they most likely will be near Tahoe as we start out of Yosemite.

    Really, REALLY enjoyed my new tarp shelter.  Easy to set up, and enjoyed the open feel.  NO WALLS!

Tahoe Rim Trail, I'm Done!

Here's a nice view looking South on the Brockway to Tahoe Meadows section.  This was my last section to complete on the Rim Trail.  I hiked from Echo Lakes clockwise around the west side, to the Northeast corner of the lake, in Nevada, at Hwy 431 near Mt. Rose (Tahoe Meadows).  89 miles, 6-days, 3 wilderness areas, 2 bear encounters, and no blisters.  Just returned home from a beautiful hike that completed my loop on the Tahoe Rim Trail.  165 miles total.  What's next?  Why, the JMT in '09 of course!

photos

Eagle Scout Project

Members of our Boy Scout Troop spent a day in a field south of Davis working on an Eagle Scout project for Dan.  It took many hours, but we completed phase one of the project - placing the corner posts.  Dan is building a blind for duck hunting.  This blind will be controlled by Fish and Game and will be dedicated as a 'youth only' blind.  We will give the concrete a week to set, then return for phase two of the project - building the decking and super-structure.