June 30, 2007

30-30 and I ate breakfast at the Embassy Suites in North Tahoe.  I ate an entire pound of sausage!  I am a hungry hiker.  I took an hour-long nap while 30-30 prepared his bounce box to mail forward.  We then walked to Jamba Juice where I ordered a Razz-Ma-Taz with energy, B vitamins, and protein boosts.  I then got a turkey and provolone sub sandwich from Subway to pack out.  We walked up to Sports LTD and sought out Rocky Top (PCT '05) to drive us back to the trailhead at Echo Lake.  Rocky Top was proudly wearing a 1986 University of Tennessee hat which was given to him by Philip Fullmer after he had been hired as the head football coach at Tennessee.

On our way back to Echo Lake, Rocky Top stopped for another backpacker.  Barbara, 68, had been kicked out of her residence so she decided to backpack for two months in the Desolation Wilderness.  She was so grateful for the ride and held my hand during our conversation. When we arrived at Echo Lake, I thanked Rocky Top and mingled with several hikers who! were gathered outside the store.  Clara, Patrick, Cardinal Bird, Charlie Brown, and Chigger were some of the hikers who were enjoying some down time.

30-30 and I discussed Barbara and shared our concerns for her with our PCT buddies.  She had $2.00 and was planning to live in the backcountry alone for two months.  She seemed off to me and 30-30.  30-30 went inside the store and bought a sandwich and Gatorade.  We planned to catch her and give her the food while further assessing her plans.  We never saw Barbara but continued to worry about her safety.  Luckily, we were able to share our concerns with a Desolation Wilderness volunteer. 30-30 and I hiked past beautiful Lake Aloha today and we are cowboy camping on the northwest shore of Heather Lake.