Pacific Crest Trail journal page
at traildude.com
Mexican Border to Big Bear, CA

|
5-16-08 As written by Dad...
This entry and the text below this entry is going to be retired to the Border to Big Bear Journal. Whenever you want to read about a section of TD's hike, just click on the desired
journal page in the listing in the top/right corner of this page. Here's some more video from the Border to Big Bear:
|

|
5-9-08 As written by Dad... |

|
5-7-08 As written by Dad... |

|
5-5-08 As written by Dad... |

|
5-3-08 As written by Dad... |

|
5-1-08 As written by Dad... In the meantime, here are some pictures from Lake Morena and Day One: |

|
4-27-08 As written by Dad...
When we arrived at the Lake Morena campsite it was bustling with excitement. Hundreds of hikers had arrived, many from other countries and across the states.
Most were serious hikers and many had already done the PCT, AT, and other long, long hikes. Everyone was speaking a common language, a love of the land and God's beautiful creation.
On the morning of the 25th we got up VERY early to catch a ride to the border. Trail Dude is in the top/right corner in the picture of the pickup truck and I'm in the sunglasses.
We got there and hit the trail at about 0715 hours. It was downhill at first and little did I know how difficult this day was going to be for me.
In hiking books it is considered a "moderate"
20 mile hike and it was probably a very simple hike for Trail Dude, since he ended up carrying most of my pack.
At about 8 miles into the hike he began to realize that I'm an old man, so to speak. You can see in the picture below that he is still smiling... I'm pausing to catch my breath.
Along the way we encountered other hikers, most of them passing me. A petite asian lady with an umbrella passed me by too. I was told that she was planning to "section" hike the whole
PCT. Others were much older than me and they just kept plodding by. I'm told that your body adjusts to the trail with time.
Among the PCT hikers we saw many interesting sights along the way to keep me pre-occupied. We saw a snake, many lizards, a horny toad and five hikers without backpacks, water or food.
In broken English we discovered that they were on their way to LA (Los Angeles). So, we gave them some water and food and they walked part of the PCT. By looking at me they couldn't
understand why somebody would do this for fun.
However, the views of the valleys and mountains were spectacular, the weather was warm, but beautiful and looking back at the hike, I wouldn't change a thing. There were times as the miles
crept by that I thought that the day would never end, but it was exhilarating to have "survived". I certainly met my limits. Trail Dude wasn't tired, had no blisters and was excited
about the next 2,600+ miles. I know that in those days ahead he will be stretched to his limits too and I won't be there to help him like he helped me through this day.
I love my son.
You can read an article by the San Diego Union-Tribune that mentions Trail Dude and others:
San Diego Union-Tribune Article
And, watch a brief video interview of Trail Dude:
San Diego Union-Tribune video
Check back in the days to come for more pictures and video. |
