{"id":5557,"date":"2024-08-03T16:50:44","date_gmt":"2024-08-03T23:50:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wandering.earth\/?p=5557"},"modified":"2024-09-22T08:34:56","modified_gmt":"2024-09-22T15:34:56","slug":"pct-section-g-day-3-to-boldly-go-as-far-as-i-can-for-the-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wandering.earth\/index.php\/2024\/08\/03\/pct-section-g-day-3-to-boldly-go-as-far-as-i-can-for-the-day\/","title":{"rendered":"PCT 2024 Section G Day 3 – To boldly go as far as I can for the day"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Goal for the day: Get as far as I can along the trail<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Before dawn, I had a chance to take some pictures of the night sky. Always a wonderful sight on the trail that you can’t get when near city lights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The next major landmark for the trail was Chimney Creek, but that was 16 miles away. So, I just needed to get partway there. There were several sources of water between 5 and 6 miles ahead, then nothing until Chimney Creek. So, I’ll have to be ready for a 10 mile stretch without water again. I set my sights on a ridge line in the middle and started hiking north, yet again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sadly for my legs, there was a climb at the start of the hike, a descent, and then an even steeper climb to get to that ridge. Such was hiking on the PCT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The hike was unremarkable, but I still enjoyed the views as I went. It was a nice mix of terrains. Surprisingly, I was passed by the same woman who had first passed me on day one when I had settled down into my tent. Not sure how she got behind me since I’m usually the slowest hiker on the trail. I must have passed her when she was off trail somewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the short descent, I began the steep climb up towards the ridge line. I passed several water sources until I was close to the last one and then filled up on a full 7 liters. It would have to last me the 10 miles without water until I reached Chimney Creek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why not wait until the last water source on the map? Trail info indicated the last possible source might not be flowing reliably, so best not to take a chances and get the water that was right in front of me while I could. Better safe than dead of dehydration in the high desert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Not sure if it was the weight of the added water or just being tired from the long day, but I almost gave up and camped before reaching the ridge I was aiming for. As usual when I had doubts about continuing, I rested and considered my choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This time, I pushed forwards and upwards. After an eternity, I reached the ridge line and took a moment to rest and check my progress. Not as far as I’d like, but maybe far enough. There was a spot a mile and half ahead long the ridge line that had campsites and reported great views.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the late hour (it was almost 6pm) made the choice obvious to my very tired body. The area I had already reached had several campsites next to the PCT trail, but I decided to climb up the hillside a bit and found a spot that had a little more panoramic view of the area. As I setup my tent and had dinner, I enjoyed the last rays of the sun as it set to the west.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Several more PCT hikers reached the ridge and settled into the campsites below me, several sleeping ‘cowboy style’ (just a tarp, foam mattress, or air mattress on the ground and a sleeping bag on top). Not something I think I could handle. Even if the insects hadn’t been that bad so far on this hike, there were enough of them that I’d hate to have to sleep outside like that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Must have a great view of the stars above though. \ud83c\udf0c\ud83d\ude0e<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Goal for the day: Successful!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 3 – 8.5 miles – 11 hours
PCT section G – 20.75 trail miles out of 115 total miles<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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(mileage and time approximate and based on GPS tracks which may not be exact and include diversions from the trail)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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