Today we finally got some heat. Early in the morning we broke camp and cut north across the open San Filipe valley. A water cache had been set up at the far end near the scissors crossing intersection and we indulged in a few of the sodas that had been left in a cooler alongside a wooden stand filled with gallon water jugs. Some local hikers and hiker enthusiasts keep a few of these caches full throughout the hiking season each year. They even find it in their heart to throw in some gatorade and soda and even a few Miller Genuine Draft (for the hardest of the hard core). This morning we were lucky enough to find a bag of fruit waiting for us as well. I wonder what the trail purists think of this kind of thing?
From there we ascended, slow and long, into the San Filipe hills along a contouring trail, over a beautiful, dry landscape accented by tall, graceful agave, fragrant sage brush, spiny ocatillo, and cacti of all shapes and sizes. Pink blossoms and the purples and yellows of wildflowers highlighted the golden browns and reds of the earth and the light blues and greens of the plantlife.
The heat never got to be too much to bear, I guess. The trail just went on and on without much noticeable change. Ultimately our feet became blistered and sore and the second half of the day dragged on until we set up camp early next to anther guy who actually asked us to camp near him because he was afraid he had been tracked the night before by a mountain lion and really wanted to be around other people. We did want to put in a few more miles to keep up our 20 mile quota, but considering he was asking and we were beat, we got off the trail and set up camp.
It's a very fine evening now. We have a view south over the valley which we crossed this morning and a crisp wind is sighing in pleasant counterpoint to the twittering birdsong.
--
Logistically, things are going very well thusfar. We are keeping pace with what we had hoped to be doing. Supplies for this first week lasted without much to spare. Our bodies are both holding up well. A bit of blistering today, but what can we expect? As far as the trail itself, we are both feeling overwhelmed. Every day we cross into another world. I can barely anticipate what awaits us around the next bend. The views are just glorious. The size and expanse of this landscape is breathtaking.
Together, we are doing well. We are supporting each other and sharing food fairly. The tent doesn't seem too small as of yet, nor have we tired of one another's aroma.
It's still light enough to read a bit this evening and I have an unopened Saul Bellow novel to lie back with. Tomorrow, we make our first resupply destination at Warner Springs.
------------------------------
Sent via PocketMail
Email Anywhere
www.pocketmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment