Dave called from the Heitman's, the Trail Angels in Old Station. He is PCT mile 1377.7. You can see the PCT Half Mile map California Section N page 13.
Yesterday he had a fabulous walk past some thermals, or geysers. He got to Drakesbad Guest Ranch around 5:30 pm. He found Darrell there. Darrell is closing up the Guest Ranch for the owner. He has been lent from another camp for the past several to close up after the manager leaves. Darrell and Dave searched for the package, but figured that since the manager was leaving they may as well send the package back home. As I had thought, Dave really didn't need the extra food. He is also over-prepared, and had a whole extra set of maps with him just in case.
The storm had knocked out the phone lines and he had no cell service, so he couldn't call home and let me know he was warm and safe. Darrell was glad to have company. He was tired last night and forgot to Spot, but remembered this morning. I always appreciate getting that Spot! His feet really hurt last night.
Todays walk was so flat and cushy, so although his feet are tired, they are not sore. He didn't get on the trail this morning until 9:00 (his Spot had come in around 7:30), but the 24 miles went pretty fast. He got to the Heitman's around 5:45. They lent him their phone so that he could call and let me know he was safe. Wolfman was also at the Heitman's this evening. I'm not sure if he's staying there or had dropped off Dave, but he said that he'll help Dave with tomorrow's hiking plan.
Tomorrow will be sunny and Dave wants to take advantage of the weather. Thursday through Sunday will be rainy and snowy. The plan is for Dave to get back to the trail tomorrow morning and hike about 20 miles or so to a road that is predetermined. Wolfman will pick him up from there and take him back to the Heitman's. If they are willing to have him, Dave will spend the next 4 days with them until the weather improves. He'll be able to get to the post office to pick up his resupply package and be prepared for this next and hopefully last stretch of the trail! Yes, the end is almost here!!!
Since Dave doesn't have cell service, I'll call him each night at the Hietman's to see how he is doing and continue to watch the weather for him. Plans keep changing, so I'll keep you all up to date. It sure is nice to know that he's had a bed to sleep in almost every night this past week! I forgot to mention, when Dave was at the hotel waiting out the weather, he was able to repair another hole in the sleeping pad. There is nothing worse than carrying around the weight (although very light) of a sleeping pad that has a hole in it!
Trail Angel Jane
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GO, Dave, GO!
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