DAYS 23-24

DAY 23

5-16-2013

Miles 347.18-363.5 (+Acorn Trail to Wrightwood... another 4.5 miles)

-Hard as fuck!!!!! Aggghhh!

-Scalding hot sun

-Constant and relentless incline of 3,000ft over 10 miles

-Vomiting on side of mountain

-Dizzy

-Viewed SAR (search and rescue)  attempt in mountains below me

-Everyone passing me... my pride was shot along with my body

-Nearly gave up

-Fighting back tears

-Yelling at the top of my lungs just to get up a mountain... yes, literally yelling because it somehow made me feel better. Lol. 

-Rested on top of a mountain underneath a humongous pine tree with a great view and a nice breeze.... Somehow found the willpower to continue on

-Went from the PCT (mile 363.5) down the Acorn Trail (4.5 miles) into Wrightwood, CA. 

-The Pines Motel, room 8 with Shady Acres, Commando, Wildcat, and myself. PIZZA!

-Not eating enough? Dehydrated? Drinking too much water? Hypoxia/Altitude sickness? Heat sickness? Something is making me feel crappy!

-Most challenging day ever... but still glad I'm here. There's no place else I'd rather be, and nothing I'd rather be doing. 

DAY 24

5-17-2013

Zero Day in Wrightwood... no miles covered

-Bounce bucket pick up

-Shady Acres and Commando are leaving... sad to see them go but happy for my memories with them. I'm sure Ill see them again at The Saufleys. 

-Went through pack and bounce bucket, sorted out my gear, figured out what food to bring. 

-Everyone says I'm eating too little while on the trail, but I'm simply not hungry at all. I bought fresh food to take with me and I hope this will last me for a few days. Maybe I will eat the fresh food more than my packaged food. I am taking 6 days worth of food between Wrightwood and Agua Dulce. I eat TONS when I go into town, but my peers still don't think I'm eating enough calories to match all the energy I'm burning in 20+ mile days. I'm frustrated about my appetite and food situation, but I know this will work itself out soon. I think it will all be okay when the "hiker hunger" hits me and I have a full appetite. Until now, I'm aggravated at not knowing how much food I need to carry around with me or what kind of food I need, hauling around extra food and not being able to eat it all, etc. 

-Repacked backpack and it feels more manageable. Yay!

-Decided to stay another night in Wrightwood with Busted, Wildcat, G-Dub, and Starfox

-Mom sent me my town dress... I love it and I feel so Girly! ;)

-I love this town... much like Wimberley

-I decided to hitch hike from Wrightwood west to PCT mile 369.5. This means I will be bypassing Mount Baden Powell. I am doing this for a few reasons: 1) The ascent up Acorn Trail to the PCT is hellacious... about a 3,000ft climb in 4 miles!!!! So steep and I'm not sure my body or my mind can handle that right now. 2) Once to the top, I would then walk 6 more miles up and then downhill. This all seems rather redundant to me and not worth my physical health or state of mind. I'll be much happier hitching. 3) I will stay ahead of the masses of hikers right on my tail. I really don't want to get caught up with all of them. 

-Feeling very supported and loved by everyone back home and here on the trail. I still feel a bit lonely and am getting drained of small talk. I think this will be better once I'm back on the trail and am surrounded by the same hikers I've been hiking near (Fatmando, Tear Bear, Shady Acres, Commando, Scones, Doodles, Nurse Betty, Peter Pan, Thirsty Boots, Señor Green, Mr. Green, Seeker, Whispers, Lady Killer, etc). I enjoy walking along the trail into a group of hikers and everyone turning around chanting "Girly Girl!" or just "Girly!" I want to hike! Morning can't get here fast enough!