Dave has had a wonderful day today, Tuesday October 12th, both on and off the trail.
Last night at the Lodge, Dave met the other guest, Jim McPherson. They had a nice evening together which included a glass of wine. This morning Jim and Dave had breakfast in Truckee. Jim then took Dave to the Post Office to get his resupply package and back to the Lodge to get packed up. Dave had forgotten his new lighter in my car, so Jim took him back into Soda Springs to get a new lighter, and then back out on the trail.
Jim has been working at the Peter Grubb Hut getting it ready for the many guests it plans to host this winter season. Dave hiked approximately 8 miles to the hut and decided it was so nice he needed to spend the night. He is just loving the area's beauty. Dave is at PCT mile 1162.5. Check out PCT Half Mile map California Section L page 1.
http://www.pctmap.net/download/p/mapdl.html
Here is a web site for the Peter Grubb Hut:
http://www.sierraclub.org/outings/lodges/huts/grubb.aspx
Dave has not yet hit his Spot, but really doesn't need to since we know exactly where he is camping. He is feeling a bit guilty for only hiking 8 miles today, but I reminded him to have fun, relax and enjoy, or this adventure is not worth it.
A huge thanks to Jim for taking care of Dave both last night and today. We really appreciate your trail magic! It meant so very much to Dave!
Trail Angel Jane
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
Soda Springs, Donner Pass Road
Dave is safe in Soda Springs, Calfornia today, Monday October 11th, at PCT mile 1155.5. He got off the trail and almost immediately got a hitch into Soda Springs and was dropped off at the Post Office. What we forgot was that today is Colombus Day and the Post Office is closed. Check PCT Half Mile map California Section K page 9.
http://www.pctmap.net/download/p/mapdl.html
There was a choice of hiking into Truckee which is a 12 mile hike, camping somewhere, or asking if there was any other option.
Dave went into the little store in Soda Springs where he got a phone number of a place to stay. When he placed the call he found out that it was a rent by the month location. The lady he talked to there told him of a Sierra Club location near him. He gave the Sierra Club Lodge, called Clari Tappaan Lodge, and they gave him a room for $25. The place is set up as a Dorm, full of bunkbeds. He is the only one staying in one wing. There is another wing where a Sierra Club member is staying. The staff was leaving, but offered Dave free range of the kitchen, including a large walk in freezer filled with food. His first comment was that it is spooky. Check ouot the web site for this lodge.
http://www.sierraclub.org/outings/lodges/ctl/
On the last part of the trail this morning, before he made his way into town, Dave had another experience with a knife edge mountain ridge and gusting wind. He was up almost 9000 feet and had winds around 50 mph. Clouds were blowing in, but the weather was still perfect for hiking.
This area gets the most snowfall of all the Sierra's, and is well known for skiing. Dave mentioned that there was a ski resort, Sugar Bowl, near where he got off the trail. There is a highschool which is just for kids who want to be skiiers.
Dave will spend the afternoon reading a book from the Lodge's library. He is looking forward to a quiet evening.
Trail Angel Jane
http://www.pctmap.net/download/p/mapdl.html
There was a choice of hiking into Truckee which is a 12 mile hike, camping somewhere, or asking if there was any other option.
Dave went into the little store in Soda Springs where he got a phone number of a place to stay. When he placed the call he found out that it was a rent by the month location. The lady he talked to there told him of a Sierra Club location near him. He gave the Sierra Club Lodge, called Clari Tappaan Lodge, and they gave him a room for $25. The place is set up as a Dorm, full of bunkbeds. He is the only one staying in one wing. There is another wing where a Sierra Club member is staying. The staff was leaving, but offered Dave free range of the kitchen, including a large walk in freezer filled with food. His first comment was that it is spooky. Check ouot the web site for this lodge.
http://www.sierraclub.org/outings/lodges/ctl/
On the last part of the trail this morning, before he made his way into town, Dave had another experience with a knife edge mountain ridge and gusting wind. He was up almost 9000 feet and had winds around 50 mph. Clouds were blowing in, but the weather was still perfect for hiking.
This area gets the most snowfall of all the Sierra's, and is well known for skiing. Dave mentioned that there was a ski resort, Sugar Bowl, near where he got off the trail. There is a highschool which is just for kids who want to be skiiers.
Dave will spend the afternoon reading a book from the Lodge's library. He is looking forward to a quiet evening.
Trail Angel Jane
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Squaw Valley - Northern Lake Tahoe
Dave's Spot came in tonight, 10/10/10, at 5:48 pm. He is camping at PCT mile 1145.5. See PCT Half Mile map California section K page 7.
http://www.pctmap.net/download/p/mapdl.html
See Dave's Spot Location on Google Maps:
http://www.findmespot.com/mylocation/?id=3eciw/39.22573/\-120.27605
The body of water to the right of his camping area is Lake Tahoe.
Tomorrow he has just over 10 miles to get into Soda Springs where he'll get his first resupply package. The weather may have some precipitation, so that will tell whether or not Dave gets right back on the trail. Getting into soda Springs will be his longest hitch - only 3.5 miles. All his other resupply locations are on or very near the trail.
Dave was able to call in tonight. He's looking forward to getting into town. Not too many people were on the trail today. He sounded really good. His main issue is that he's not making the miles he wanted to. Today he was just shy of 20 miles. Water, or lack there of, is his reason for not going further today. He found a water source and knows there most likely won't be one until town tomorrow. It is safer for him to camp near water and leave tomorrow with more than enough water to get into town. It is also getting dark earlier, especially in the mountains. Dave likes to be in camp, eat his dinner, and relax a bit before the sun is gone.
Today, Carrie, Nadir, Dave O, Joanne and I were all on the Pacific Crest Trail at Vasquez Rocks. It was nice having even the tiniest of connections with Dave. He has only days left on the trail, and it will be so very nice having him home for good. What a great feeling to say he only has "days" not "months" on the trail! This adventure has almost come to an end!
Trail Angel Jane
http://www.pctmap.net/download/p/mapdl.html
See Dave's Spot Location on Google Maps:
http://www.findmespot.com/mylocation/?id=3eciw/39.22573/\-120.27605
The body of water to the right of his camping area is Lake Tahoe.
Tomorrow he has just over 10 miles to get into Soda Springs where he'll get his first resupply package. The weather may have some precipitation, so that will tell whether or not Dave gets right back on the trail. Getting into soda Springs will be his longest hitch - only 3.5 miles. All his other resupply locations are on or very near the trail.
Dave was able to call in tonight. He's looking forward to getting into town. Not too many people were on the trail today. He sounded really good. His main issue is that he's not making the miles he wanted to. Today he was just shy of 20 miles. Water, or lack there of, is his reason for not going further today. He found a water source and knows there most likely won't be one until town tomorrow. It is safer for him to camp near water and leave tomorrow with more than enough water to get into town. It is also getting dark earlier, especially in the mountains. Dave likes to be in camp, eat his dinner, and relax a bit before the sun is gone.
Today, Carrie, Nadir, Dave O, Joanne and I were all on the Pacific Crest Trail at Vasquez Rocks. It was nice having even the tiniest of connections with Dave. He has only days left on the trail, and it will be so very nice having him home for good. What a great feeling to say he only has "days" not "months" on the trail! This adventure has almost come to an end!
Trail Angel Jane
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Desolation Wilderness
Dave's Spot came in tonight, Saturday October 8th, at 6:13 pm. He had no cell phone bars but was able to make a short call to me after his dinner, around 8:00 pm. He is camping at PCT mile 1128. He was just shy of 20 miles today because he ran into some hikers and spent time talking about his adventure. See PCT Half Mile map California Section K page 5.
http://www.pctmap.net/download/p/mapdl.html
You can also check out his Spot on Google Maps.
http://www.findmespot.com/mylocation/?id=3eCP1/39.08336/\-120.24844
The PCT and the TRT (Tahoe Rim Trail) currently follow the same path. Dave started yesterday below Lake Tahoe and is currently half way up the lake. He sounded good tonight, but is sore, especially his feet. The feet are just very tired and worn out, go figure. The Desolation Wilderness area is beautiful.
Yesterday he had to climb over a pass which was covered in freshly fallen snow. Although his feet were wet from being ankle deep in snow, he had a very warm night sleep. When he was in town, he bought a silk sleeping bag liner which is designed to give his sleeping bag another 10 degrees warmth, and it's doing it's job!
This morning was the chilliest morning he should have on the trail. Water was iced over. The weather will be warming up, so the worst is over.
Trail Angel Jane
http://www.pctmap.net/download/p/mapdl.html
You can also check out his Spot on Google Maps.
http://www.findmespot.com/mylocation/?id=3eCP1/39.08336/\-120.24844
The PCT and the TRT (Tahoe Rim Trail) currently follow the same path. Dave started yesterday below Lake Tahoe and is currently half way up the lake. He sounded good tonight, but is sore, especially his feet. The feet are just very tired and worn out, go figure. The Desolation Wilderness area is beautiful.
Yesterday he had to climb over a pass which was covered in freshly fallen snow. Although his feet were wet from being ankle deep in snow, he had a very warm night sleep. When he was in town, he bought a silk sleeping bag liner which is designed to give his sleeping bag another 10 degrees warmth, and it's doing it's job!
This morning was the chilliest morning he should have on the trail. Water was iced over. The weather will be warming up, so the worst is over.
Trail Angel Jane
Friday, October 8, 2010
Echo Lake to Dick's Lake - the Journey continues
When we last heard from our Hero, he had crossed into Canada and took his picture at the finish line! He came home and rested almost a full two weeks. He has a small section of the Pacific Crest Trail that he needs to finish to be an authentic "through" hiker, beginning at Echo Lake (near Lake Tahoe) at PCT mile 1094.5. He has until April 17th, 2011 to finish this portion, however if he didn't go now he'd have to travel through winter conditions. He chose to get on the trail this week.
His first plan was to get on the trail Tuesday, October 4th, but the weather worried him. Echo Lake had rain and snow Tuesday, Wednesday, and part of Thursday. Thursday morning Dave announced that we could leave for the trail that afternoon.
We began our trip to Lake Tahoe around 3:00 pm, Thursday, October 6th, and found a motel there around 10:00 pm. It was a long drive and we were both exhausted. The morning came way too soon. It was 37 degrees when we left the motel at 8:00 am. We grabbed some breakfast and when we got to Echo Lake it was already 57 degrees - perfect hiking weather! It was sunny with just a few clouds.
I hiked with Dave for about 2 miles. He had gotten used to running into other hikers on the trail, or hiking with them, and was not looking forward to being alone on this trek. Most, if not all, of the PCT hikers are past this point. It was tough leaving him. He is still sore, even with two weeks of rest. He has a nerve under his left clavicle that was bothering him in Washington, and it was there again today. The pack is just not sitting right on him now. Since he's lost weight, the pack has shifted. We tried adjusting it, but nothing seemed to help too much. I offered to take him back home, but he is determined to complete every step of the PCT.
Dave and I said our goodbyes and he headed off. As I hiked back my spirits were lifted because I kept running into hikers! 13 in all passed me in those two miles. While Dave is around Echo Lake, I'm sure he won't be alone for at least some of the time.
I had a long drive ahead of me, so I got in the car and began driving around 11:30, making my way back to Duarte. As I approached Monrovia, Dave's Spot came in. That was 6:46 pm. He got to his camp before I got home!
Tonight, Thursday October 7th, Dave is camping at Dick's Lake at PCT mile 1109.5. He made 15 miles today. He had originally thought he'd make 23 miles, but after looking at the elevation (over 2000 feet up), he decided to be smart, get slowly back into hiking, and stop where there was water. There is some water concern along this part of the trail, but with good planning, Dave should never run out of water. With the moisture that these mountains just got, he's in good shape water wise.
Although Dave was reluctant to get back on the trail, this is something he felt he had to do. Amanda and Dave O, Dave really appreciated your texts that you sent. I'm asking everyone, in the next couple of weeks, to send him a text or two. Nothing more than that. He won't always have phone signal, but when he does, the encouragement from the texts really helps. Since he's basically alone for this part of the trail, I know he'd love to hear from his family and friends. His number is 626-241-6407.
Trail Angel Jane
His first plan was to get on the trail Tuesday, October 4th, but the weather worried him. Echo Lake had rain and snow Tuesday, Wednesday, and part of Thursday. Thursday morning Dave announced that we could leave for the trail that afternoon.
We began our trip to Lake Tahoe around 3:00 pm, Thursday, October 6th, and found a motel there around 10:00 pm. It was a long drive and we were both exhausted. The morning came way too soon. It was 37 degrees when we left the motel at 8:00 am. We grabbed some breakfast and when we got to Echo Lake it was already 57 degrees - perfect hiking weather! It was sunny with just a few clouds.
I hiked with Dave for about 2 miles. He had gotten used to running into other hikers on the trail, or hiking with them, and was not looking forward to being alone on this trek. Most, if not all, of the PCT hikers are past this point. It was tough leaving him. He is still sore, even with two weeks of rest. He has a nerve under his left clavicle that was bothering him in Washington, and it was there again today. The pack is just not sitting right on him now. Since he's lost weight, the pack has shifted. We tried adjusting it, but nothing seemed to help too much. I offered to take him back home, but he is determined to complete every step of the PCT.
Dave and I said our goodbyes and he headed off. As I hiked back my spirits were lifted because I kept running into hikers! 13 in all passed me in those two miles. While Dave is around Echo Lake, I'm sure he won't be alone for at least some of the time.
I had a long drive ahead of me, so I got in the car and began driving around 11:30, making my way back to Duarte. As I approached Monrovia, Dave's Spot came in. That was 6:46 pm. He got to his camp before I got home!
Tonight, Thursday October 7th, Dave is camping at Dick's Lake at PCT mile 1109.5. He made 15 miles today. He had originally thought he'd make 23 miles, but after looking at the elevation (over 2000 feet up), he decided to be smart, get slowly back into hiking, and stop where there was water. There is some water concern along this part of the trail, but with good planning, Dave should never run out of water. With the moisture that these mountains just got, he's in good shape water wise.
Although Dave was reluctant to get back on the trail, this is something he felt he had to do. Amanda and Dave O, Dave really appreciated your texts that you sent. I'm asking everyone, in the next couple of weeks, to send him a text or two. Nothing more than that. He won't always have phone signal, but when he does, the encouragement from the texts really helps. Since he's basically alone for this part of the trail, I know he'd love to hear from his family and friends. His number is 626-241-6407.
Trail Angel Jane
Sunday, October 3, 2010
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