Whole of yesterday was spent in Wrightwood town. It was my first Zero day i.e. 0 miles covered on the trail. Just spent the whole day taking care of pending chores (somehow things pile up in-real-life when you are on the trail even when you are unemployed 😀), buying food resupply, cleaning everything, and finally, met up some fellow hikers for dinner. BTW, I did pick up the replacement tent poles from the post office (thank you, Tarptent) and returned the damaged poles back to them. Also, shipped ahead a package of stuff that I was not using right now and might need only later in the Seirras. No point in carrying extra weight for the next 300 miles.
Started out reasonably early today from town and immediately got a ride which another hiker had flagged down. Luckily the lady in the car had space for both of us and she dropped us off at the trailhead & I was back on the trail!
This was the main goal for the day - Mt Baden-Powell summit @ 9400 ft. After an initial 4+ miles of gentle climb, the next 5 miles were steady uphill. However, fresh & rested legs and low morning temps meant I reached the summit within 4 hours of starting without too much extra effort.
Both the rattlesnake and I were surprised to come upon each other on the trail. It was presumably warming itself in the sun in the trail when I lumbered along.
Lots of snow patches still on the trail. A lot of the patches covered up the trail and a few times, it was difficult to make out where the trail was.
Had a short day today though. Stopped early around 3:30 pm after about 8 hrs of hiking. Will get back to regular 9-10 hr days tomorrow onwards.
Data:
Tried a different setting in the watch to see if the distance numbers match the "official" numbers more closely. Looks like it did. Maybe "Max Battery mode" is not a good idea.
Goodnight from the Pacific Crest Trail!
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Anurag