Day 29 – Night Hiking
Originally published on Mason Hikes the PCT 2017.
Mileage: 26 to just beyond Golden Oaks Spring
It’s super hot in the desert. I feel like I’ve written that in every blog post since I started, but I feel the need to reiterate. So. Hot. I generally can handle it pretty well and just turn into a giant puddle of sweat, but it’s getting to the point where hiking uphill during the day can get dangerous. It’s officially time to start night hiking.
Most people started night hiking a few days ago, but despite being late to the trend, I’m excited about the prospects. The sun will be… gone? It’ll be less than 100°!? Sounds like paradise!
While waiting for Real Irish to drive me back to trail, I took care of some classic town activities
-
Hydrate: ✅
-
Stretch: ✅
-
Charge electronics: ✅
-
Call the parents (it’s Fathers Day!): ✅
-
Ponder how in the world I got so much food and how I can possibly carry it all: ✅
-
Listened to someone describe the latest in hiker fashion and function while wearing a tent around the campground: ✅
It’s stylish AND functional!
I’m planning to stop at Lake Isabella in about 95 miles, so I have 4-5 days worth of food. I’m also terrible at resupplying quickly, which I feel obligated to do when someone is waiting for me at the grocery store, so who knows how long that food will actually last. I’m pretty sure I could survive on that peanut butter alone for at least a day…
Goodbye, strangely unfettered access to the runway
Just before Real Irish was supposed to pick me up, I decided to try the BBQ place that has a hiker discount because 10% off is pretty nice and I’ve heard that the food is decent. Let me tell you… the brisket is some of the best I’ve ever had. I shoveled it all in and immediately became somewhat depressed once it was gone. But hey, at least I got to try it!
Real Irish and I were texting back and forth at this point to figure out rides and he mentioned that he had Boo with him, who I had met in Hiker Heaven and had discussed potentially teaming up with in the Sierras. This was a total surprise because Boo had told me he was skipping Tehachapi in favor of Mojave, but I guess reason had gotten the better of him and he spent a few hours in Tehachapi recovering from the heat.
Boo, Real Irish, Hey Girl, Naptime, and myself sat in a bakery eating, drinking, and preparing for a while and then headed out to the trailhead once we were all ready. By the time we got there, it was 6:15 PM and I was ready to start hiking for the day. I had stuffed myself with food and water all day, so I was fueled up and ready to go!
Me staring into the sun, Real Irish, Boo, and Hey Girl
The hike was mostly uneventful, but getting back on trail right around sunset was awesome, because all of the mountains we were about to climb were glowing an amazing gold color. I even found a bench at a great overlook point that gave me the perfect place and excuse to take a quick break. Thanks, Boy Scout Troop 135!
For the rest of the night, I climbed up and up, every once in a while taking breaks to look at the Milky Way since the moon was gone. I hiked 25 miles to the next water source, where I found tons of people camped everywhere, including on the trail. I feel a little bad because I think I woke some of them up, but then again, everyone is night hiking these days, so 4 AM is probably the right time for an alarm. Also, if you’re camped on the trail, I need to find some way around, so unfortunately I’m probably going to make some noise.
After getting water, I continued on in search of a suitable spot to sleep through the heat of the day, which I found about a mile away. A cleared camping spot under a tree and protected by bushes, what more could I ask for?