Progress on the PCT

Kennedy Meadows Resort, originally uploaded by rogerw11.

As the warmer temps begin to land upon us here in our climate controlled headquarters, the PCTers are beginning to feel the effects of the increased heat, so is the dry brush. Currently there is a fire just north of Kennedy Meadows that has fire crews escorting hikers through burned out sections of trail.

The Heard as it's know is the mass of hikers currently making progress along the PCT. As the PCT season starts, a fare number of potential thru-hikers congregate at the southern-most terminus of the PCT. They all start around the same time and make relatively similar progress north toward Canada. This hiking body/mass is know as the heard and has recently descended upon Kennedy Meadows.

Thus far Seven, Patrick and Tarzan & Zelda have made it beyond Kennedy Meadows and through the fire section. Reports claimed the trial would be closed to thru-hikers. However, Tarzan and Zelda have journaled that the crew was very courteous and escorted them through the burn zone. They also mentioned that the fire was of very little consequence to the surrounding area. Tarzan & Zelda were last seen in Lone Pine driving around in the car of some fellow thru-hikers awaiting their return from a section just south of their current position. They intend on hooking up with them upon their arrival at Lone Pine and continuing on together. Our socialites are whooping it up in their borrowed car; they have driven around the area, picked up other thru-hikers as far north as independence and escorted them into Lone Pine for groceries and a clean shower. They are forming quite the network of friends along their hike. They are not setting any land speed records, but they may very well set the most zero days record in history while still managing to complete the thru-hike into Canada.

Keep up the steady progress and enjoy the John Muir Trail section. I have seen this stretch of trail first hand and can attest to the impending beauty you are poised to experience.

Hardcore hiker and her companions are suffering a rather slow start as Latecomer has sustained some sort of ankle injury. They are nursing it along as well as keeping blog silence. Apparently Hardcore hiker attracted some frisky stalker type "Trail Angle" That kept track of her while en route. By keeping from her blog she believes she may have been able to dodge this menace to the hiking society. Keep pulsing along guys and Hank, you keep tabs on your company and sound your alarm if something should appear out of the norm.

As for Seven and company they post less often than most but make good progress. It is my feeling that Seven and Patrick are hiking together and are currently well north of Kennedy Meadows. Hopefully they will post an entry as soon as the reach Toulumne Meadows.