It has been 65 days since I started this hike. Doesn't really seem like it, but that's more than 2 months gone by! Things have definitely changed in these 2+ months. Physically I have lost some weight (~4-6 kg/10 lbs, I think), got a couple of blisters, stronger legs presumably, grew a beard (don't ask me why...on somewhat popular demand by a few friends 😋) etc. Mentally, it has been a slow but definite transition to making the daily hike as THE routine, getting comfortable living in a tent, packing/unpacking every morning & night, being completely comfortable camping in the wilderness alone, getting used to missing family & friends knowing that this too shall end, accepting but minimizing risks as much as possible, etc.
All this was on my mind yesterday, as I went through more burned sections of the trail. BTW, I was grossly wrong about the extent of trail that was impacted by the Dixie fire...it more like 150 miles and not just 40 miles. In fact, still have 3-4 days more to go before I get to greener sections. A few more pics that shows the impact:
A burnt trail blaze, compared to an unimpacted one.
Looks like the trees are barring entry into the "forbidden forest", which had a strong burnt wood smell even after a year.
This one is not directly related to the fire, but at first I thought it was some art made on the outside of the log, but later realized these were probably insect-made channels, now uncovered by the burning of the bark. Cool, though!
Apart from all this, there was a wonderful view of Mt. Lassen in the distance for most of the day
And just in case, one forgets where one is going:
Finally, the day ended here:
Good morning, good afternoon, good evening and good night from the Pacific Crest Trail midpoint!
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