Moving onto Idyllwild

Leaving Warner Springs, we were told, “it’s cool now, but when it gets hot the snake tails come out.” Good to know. Each post office we stop at has a hiker box, which is a conglomerate of random gear, food, etc that a hiker either leaves or doesn’t need because he/she found it excessive or is no longer hiking. I picked up some olive oil and fingernail clippers and a lunchtime snack.

Today was a change of scenery, we hiked up hill to Agua Caliente Creek, which had plenty of water and switched back into some high desert canyons. For me personally, up hill is much less painful that downhill, which I have grown to hate. Tomorrow starts downhill.

2 days to Idyllwild, advertised as the first true hiker town.

Have I learned?

Trip Awards thus far:

Greatest Meal: Chili Mac and Beef - Todd Blevins
Greatest Snack: Everything from Michael's Happy Trail party
Worst Meal: Spanish Rice and tuna, fail.
Worst Snack: None
Greatest Friend: Water Caches
Greatest Foe: The Wind
Greatest Lesson from Caleb: Keep Feet Dry
Worst Lesson from Caleb: He doesn't claim to be from Tennessee.
Most Looking forward to: Grass
Least Looking forward to: Anymore water caches that are labeled "Contaminated by Dead Mice."

Song in my head: "Zombie" by the Cranberries - thanks Murdoch.

Oh You Guys...Blog Clarification

To be so innocent. We've had many a discussions about the fact folks believe that we are on the internet 24/7 out there. If it were only true... maybe I could've worked remotedly... ahhh to be paid right now!

Here is our connection to the outside world:
Brandon - Blackberry. Max, 2 days o' life.
Caleb - LG Text Machine Phone. Forever?

Daily use of Electronics:
Brandon - Few Pictures with Blackberry, typically at rests, milestones, and campsite for nite. Turn on GPS locator at lunch and at night, if signal. Turn on phone signal at lunch and night, if signal.
Caleb - Same, maybe?

Our blog routine:
At night - Write in journal with pen and paper.
Morning - Take a picture with Blackberry, send to Miranda
Miranda - transcribe and post
You all - read, comment, enjoy.
Us - download comments from email and enjoy. Look forward to our next stop so we can discuss.

We hope that provides some clarity. When we get into to resupply towns we can reply to the comments, which we are going to do right now...

My dogs are barking

This is probably the most important blog post, because its been the focal point of my last several days. On day 1, I walked directly through Hauser Creek to cool off my feet in the cold water. I learned at the top that pruned feet are blistered feet. Over the course of the next, say 90 miles, going 20 miles the first day, 22 the next, 25 miles, 25 miles, only after 9 miles yesterday did Caleb instruct me "I was going to tell you never to get your feet wet, but didn't want to upset you. I just figured it was common sense" Thanks buddy. I tried to listen to Grandma's advice, which was "take care of your feet," I was just too ignorant to know how too. Caleb is now my official foot advisor. As I've stated before, he's more of an outdoorsman than I, for now.

I dont want a large farva

Some of the hardest things about this trail have been dealing with water. How many liters to carry and at what points. Our data book is three years out of date and since we're late starters the latest water reports may not be as advertised. So we get to a stretch that could be 24 miles with no water... I like a goopd backpacker load up all 4 liters and set off, i drink as little as possible to save for dinner, cleanign and breakfast the next day. Low and behold we get to where wanted to camp and some wonderful trail angel has set up a 400 gallon water tank. fact. I take account of my water in my pack, 3 1/2 liters. Are you kidding me, i just lugged around and extra 8 lbs all day for no reason. I could have gotten away with a liter of water and alot less achey muscles.

We made it to Warner Springs early on Day 5, for a good and much needed rest. This is my first time on the actual internet. We have completely underestimated the difficulty of this trail, but at the same time we havnt backed down from our distance and timing goals. As brandon says, we've "manned up"

I need to be more vocal in my outdoor instincts that i've developed over a lifetime, so of the things that come second nature to me out here, dont nessasarily do the same for my hiking buddy. Its a learning experience. I'm sure he'll be an expert in no time.

The pain continues, but its getting less and less. The wind has been kicking our butts on these mountain ridges. It breaks the monotomy of the hot sun, but the sound is deafening and it pushes you out of stepping rythym. And speaking of the southern california sun, its bad. I liken it to the mitch hedberg quote of playing tennis with a wall...

Favorite Brandon Quote: "Wind Sucks"
Worst Meal: Garlic chees shells w/ tuna. gross.
Song stuck in my head yesterday: Ludacris, Whats Yo' Fantasy
The Good: Water Caches
The Bad: The Sun
The Ugly: Sand... everywhere

The Wind Blows - Day 4

Dear. Lord. Woke up this morning, well, all last night and this morning, to the howling wind outside of our tent even though we were tucked behind a windbreak. At least we were near a water source at Rodriguez Spur. Back to back 25 mile days? Why not. It wasn't hot, it wasn't even really dry, it was however windy. I am not quite sure how hard the wind was blowing, but I do know that when it wasn't I felt out of equilibrium because I wasn't leaning into the wind. The San Felipe Hills are often a "feared" part of the trail, however, with the wind it wasn't as bad. Except that you are leaning into a canyon that's only a thousand feet or so below where you are, but other than that, it was fine. Today was all uphill to passing the Sister's Crossing Water Cache and making it to the Third Gate Water Cache, both kind of Southern California right of passages. We decided to continue past, gaining another 700 feet elevation over the next 2.5 miles to a cattle gate before dusk only to find that there was not a spot to camp that was protected from the wind. We wandered for about a mile further and found a spot atop a ridge that was fairly well protected. But that I mean no holes blow in the tent from gusts that had to be well over 50 mph. We woke up in the morning and it was calm, hot, and a short day to Warner Springs for relaxation. Bring it on.

May 17th

There is an evolution of pain. Calves to hamstrings to knees to feet. Today was 25.4 miles. We lost most of the elevation we gained. The trail was easier, might I suggest fun? Until the last 6 miles which were a lot like walking across sharp rocks up and down hill. It was cooler today, which was a blessing (Thanks Uncle Rob for the weather). I switched from my smart feet insoles to my regular insoles and it was night and day. I have blisters, I'll live. We've ended up right by a 500 gallon water cache with a wind break and flattened camping spot. I may have finally figured my solar charger out as well. Things are coming together. However, when I stop I still walk like a tin man. Every morning I wake up excited about the day, every afternoon thinking how much it sucks. The blog support helps.

Update on Caleb: He is alive. I haven't burned his tent. He has mentioned Alaska over 10 times, Washington almost as much, but he keeps telling people he is from New Mexico. he just asked me if I think we are overeating. Is that possible?

-Brandon