May 23, 2007

I began my hike today at 8:00 a.m. and by 9:15, I was eating lunch.  I was really hungry.  I suppose my body was telling me it needed more fuel. So...I found a nice boulder and ate two peanut butter and jelly on flour tortilla snacks.  I hiked from a beautiful campsite in an open field at an elevation of 5,050 feet to Kelso Valley Road where there was a certain water cache.  I covered 22.8 miles today and hiked with Running Feather the last two miles.  Running Feather hiked the PCT in 2003.  He carries a lightweight pack and can hike 30 miles per day.  Running Feather suggested we trade packs to end our day.

"Really?" I smiled.

Wow-what a treat!  Running Feather wanted to demonstrate how nice it is to hike carrying little weight.  It was very nice.  I felt like a running feather!  Hhhhmmmm.  We found a perfect campsite near the water cache. Running Feather showed me his gear and how he lightens his load.  As I was setting up my tent, he was getting prepared to cowboy camp.  I cooked dinner which was instant mashed potatoes and garlic chicken breast.  I drank two liters of water and treated five more liters for tomorrow's hike.  I watched the sky over the desert turn shades of pink and blue before the glitter speckled the night sky.  I fell asleep to a hooting owl.