Day 23 – Alone on Baden-Powell

It’s day 23, and it’s weird. I walked into Wrightwood on the Lone Pine Highway on day 20. It was probably only five or six miles of walking from where I camped near the bottom of Lytle Creek Road. And then I spent the weekend off trail, relaxing, and having fun with friends. (my first zeros of the hike).

I got dropped off at Wrightwood just after noon, and I’m road walking around the fire closure. It seems like a lot of folks are hitchhiking around the fire closure as recommended by PCTA, but for reasons I don’t fully understand., I really want a continuous foot path from Mexico to Canada. Not judging those who do it other ways, I’m hiking my own hike, asI should everyone else.

I also did a late start on day two from Lake Morena, and it’s a very similar experience. I’ve seen no one in the two hours since I left Wrightwood. I expect by the time I get to Vincent gap and possibly (?) get over Baden Powell today, that I’ll run into a few more people. While I will miss the people I was hiking with last week, I’m looking forward to meeting some new people and seeing what they’re like. I’m not much of a social person, but the trail is teaching me. The coming days should be fun.

I have to admit, it’s also really weird putting a heavy pack (long water carry, I think) four days of food what I’ve been unencumbered and wearing civilian clothes the last few days. My body is slowly getting used to it as I climb. I’m sure by tomorrow, after a few trail miles under my legs, I’ll be bouncing along as I was mid last week. 

I tried ordering some new shoes this weekend, but shipping appears to be delayed. I tried changing the shipping address, but as much as I love the shoes I’m wearing, the company‘s customer service is lacking. Mail order resupplying is an art that I will need to get better at

This is the first hike I’ve done where I have to make decisions like this. This is my first hike over 100 miles. I’ve done a lot of prep both physically and mentally to prepare for this hike, and overall, I feel pretty good. But, there are still lessons to learn, and I’m here for them. 

Epilogue: I made it over Baden-Powell, and descended enough to escape a little bit of the icy wind. Saw my first human of the day, well, at least I saw their tent.