Virginia Canyon Trail

Wednesday July 14 has found Dave, Fire Marshall, and Zero camping near the Virginia Canyon Trail at PCT mile 956. See Pacific Crest Trail Half Mile maps, California section I, page 3.

http://www.pctmap.net/download/p/mapdl.html

Dave called this morning before they left for the day. He was up and packed early and waiting for his fellow hikers and wanted to check in. He had a laundry list of complaints, mainly the sleeping pad not staying inflated (and I heard mosquitoes being mentioned). He knows he has at least 5 more nights until he can pick up the sleeping pad I'm sending to him.

We talked about our pending visit in Tahoe. Zero is being sponsored by Ahnu, a shoe maker who is sending him approximately 50 free pairs of shoes. The idea is that Zero, with help from Fire Marshall, Dave, and I, will set up a stand on the PCT and hand these out to hikers who happen to wander by. Zero was trying to find a place in Tahoe to have these shoes mailed to. While Dave and I were talking, Zero was talking with Ahnu. Since they had not heard from Zero, they mailed the shoes to the one address they had on file - mile. Today when I came home from work I found two boxes on my door step. There were only 20 shoes in those two boxes. I'm gathering the other 30 will be appearing any day. I didn't think I'd be able to get these 50 pair into my car, along with camping and travel gear, to head up to Tahoe, but after seeing these boxes, I don't think I'll have an issue. I'll make it work.

Today, they hiked through the Yosemite Park Wilderness. They got 14 miles completed today. Dave's hope is that they'll begin to get up to 20 miles ad day once again, with hopes of getting back on track. I've discovered that most hikers don't stick to a plan, they just don't worry about it. Dave, on the other hand, feels better only if they are on schedule. I've learned that if he doesn't worry about it and think about it, he feels he's not prepared.

We most likely will not hear from Dave until next Monday. I'll use the Half Mile maps to track his progress. Stay tuned for more updates.

Trail Angel Jane