Blistering Heat, Blistering Feet — Day 3 — Mount Laguna
One of the nice things about starting the PCT in March is that the first stretch of desert is much cooler, usually highs in the 60s and 70s. One of the bad things about starting the PCT this March is a record heat wave causing temperatures to be higher than July and August averages and breaking heat records all over Southern California. Not only does this make midday hiking absolutely draining, the hot air temps and hotter ground make blisters easy to come by.
I started my hike early this morning to try and beat the heat. The plan was to make about 16 miles, a constant climb up to Mount Laguna. I was packed up and on trail by about 5:30am. I started out cruising and was making great mileage. In an effort to get cruising early, I left without eating a proper breakfast. About half way through my climb I ran into another hiker named Ace — absolute crusher, was cruising without any hiking poles — just as I was starting to struggle and he gave me words of motivation to get through the steepest section of the climb.
At the top of the steeper section, I found some shade. I ate some proper calories to get me through the last two steep climbing sections for the day and taped up my big toes; the left had developed a blister and the right was feeling like it might follow suit. While I was taking my longer break I saw Jakob who I met on days one and two and had run into earlier that day.
My legs took some time to warm back up, but once they were warm I flew up the first remaining big climb. The sun really started to shine down as I was making my way up the second, and I wasn't sure how much more I could keep pushing. I ran into a nice lady named Nancy who was also making that last push and stopped to talk to her for a bit. It was a nice chat and a great reason to stop for a breather.
During the last 4 miles, I went from desert to an oak forest that sits by a creek in a valley. A bit later, back to desert, where I saw my third snake (first rattler) of the hike. By this time my feet were dog tired and my blisters were getting on my last nerve but I was so close to level ground to walk on. The grade started to let up and I heard more bird songs than before. I looked up and was hit with the sight of plentiful shade in a grove of pine trees. I then remembered Ace telling me about the pine forests — after dying on so many climbs I assumed this was a treat for a few days in the future. The smell of pine alone made me feel at least ten degrees cooler. The end of the hike made me feel so peaceful being surrounded by trees, it really made me understand the tree huggers.
When in town I went to the one restaurant and ordered some chicken tenders and onion rings with a Coke. Might be better than any Michelin dining I have ever had. A trail friend I met yesterday named Scout also came and had lunch at my table. He's done several thru-hikes and recommended blister plasters as by far the best method for dealing with blisters and even gave me one for when I start going again.
Got a hostel as a treat for dealing with the big climb and the heat and will probably take it very easy tomorrow so that I don't aggravate my wounds any further.