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The Start (D-1)

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It was a bitter-sweet day.  Start of something that I had been looking forward to for months, nay years. But, it is always difficult to say goodbye to loved ones. At the same time, the encouragement and extraordinary support from family and friends over the past few weeks has been amazing and I am deeply grateful for that. More on this later.

It was a relatively easy start to the hike with mostly flat trails, but the real stuff lay in wait. Both the elevation gain and the heat from the bright sun in the dry desert manifested post-lunch.  Most streams were dry and there was not much shade either. It was a relief to reach Lake Morena campground, 20 miles from the start, after almost 9 hours after leaving the US-Mexico border. 

A most delicious dinner post-hike at the Oak Shores Malt shop which every PCT hiker knows
1 done & 2659 to go
This view of Lake Morena was such a big relief... campground was near...whew!
A separate area is set aside for PCT hikers in the campground.  $5/tent
My tent

For my data-minded friends:
(incl detours and all stops)

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