Northward under the cover of clouds and uncanny desert weather conditions.

An update to the journey currently underfoot by the four journalers (Seven, Zelda & Tarzan, Montana and Hardcore Hiker, Latecomer & Hank) en-route to the northern terminus of the PCT.


A lot has changed since Saturday, May 24 when last I posted. The weather has been terrible by desert standards. Cold winds, and rain have swept the hikers by storm. As a result Montana has made some modifications to his trip itinerary and skipped the High Sierras and the remaining balance of the PCT. He has traded in his hiking shoes for a pair of cycling shoes and a chamois to boot. Currently he is en route back home to Bozeman MT. for two weeks of training and preparation for a trip across America via the Transamerican Cycling Route. I will keep tabs on his journey if I can keep up with him. He has stated that he plans to keep notes along the way, when and how frequently depends on his route (TBA).


On the trail Seven has reported from Tehachapi and is looking forward to reaching Kennedy Meadows in Sanora CA. The weather outlook for the next couple of days is turning up for the troupe as they meander north through their final leg of the Mojave.

Tarzan & Zelda, the socialites of the troupe are making great progress and have met up with a host of thru-hikers as they all scramble to get out of the driving sleet and rain. Last I heard from Zelda and Tarzan they were taking the old PCT route out of Lake Huges and had cut off several miles in the process.

There is this unwritten code that follows the footsteps of the thru-hiker. Do you stay true to the PCT and its route along the National Scenic trail or do you deviate from the plan to avoid the boredom of the desert, or backtracking several miles to re-enter where one left off the night before, prior to heading into town for supplies and rest? It is a question ALL thru-hikers will ponder before making the decision. Once at the terminus, the would be thru-hiker must deal with the fact that they missed some 'miles' or claim the made the entire journey mile after mile without leaving the course. Don't be too quick to judge, only the hiker living in the moment can make this decision.

I have not heard news from Hardcore Hiker or her companions, Latecomer and Hank since they left Agua Dulche. As soon as I receive an update as to their location I will update the the news.

In closing, I have added an individual thru-hiker to the list. His name is Patrick Beggan (no trail name I am aware of). He posts to Flickr with great insight and awe inspiring images taken from his iPhone. As stated in my previous entry, the PCT is a long-distance footpath like none other. At it's core are a band of thru hikers interconnected through a system of news and information that travels up and down the trail day after day. For example, if a storm is hitting north on the trail several days away, hikers south of it have already heard the news as information is passed down along the route.

Another phenomenon that takes place are the relationships formed along the way. Case-in-point, Patrick Beggan, a thru hiker I discovered while perusing the flickr scene left for his journey north sometime in April. While reading through his flickr posts I discovered that he was also hiking with Seven. I am not sure if they started together, nevertheless one realizes the scope of the trail and the minuscule world in which our hikers live.