Chester, California

Dave called in early this morning, around 7:45, to tell me it was raining. The bad weather came in a day earlier than planned. His feet were already soaked. In an effort to get warm and dry, he decided to hike to the nearest road, Hwy 33, and hitch a ride 7.5 miles into the town of Chester.

Dave called again at 1:00. He had gotten to Hwy 33, but was having trouble getting a hitch. He was not looking forward to hiking or being in the rain any more than he had to. While we were talking, I could hear the cars whizzing past him. Most, he said, were going the opposite way. Just as we were about to hang up so he could head out on foot, a car with two young guys stopped for him.

He called me a few minutes later, already checked into a motel, happy, very happy to be out of the rain. The two boys who picked him up both want to hike the PCT and peppered Dave with questions about his adventure. Dave was more than happy to answer their questions.

We are watching the weather of Chester, California. It looks like he may be there until Tuesday. His main goal these next few days will be to use his charm to find someone to give him a ride back to the trail so he won't waste any additional time.

On Tuesday, he will start at PCT mile 1334 and will need to get to PCT mile 1353.3, to Drakesbad Guest Ranch. He'll stay there one night and get back on the trail Wednesday. He then will have two days to get 45.9 miles. His hurry is that the rain is coming again and he may find himself waiting out that rain storm in Old Station, which is PCT mile 1377.7.

Even if Dave doesn't hike these next few days, I'll update the Blog on his weather and plans. Dave has TV and is looking forward to some baseball or football games.

Trail Angel Jane