Days 17 - 19 (May 8 - 10): Miles 219 - 265

On Tuesday morning Andrew left early. Brian and I only headed out from Whitewater preserve at about 9am looking to have an easy 14 mile day. We took a nice long break where the trail meets Mission Creek. After about another 7 miles we made camp further up the creek.

The Wednesday morning we got up at 5am with the plan to do 20 or more miles so we could get into Big Bear early on Thursday. We ended up doing 14 miles before lunch and about another 9 or 10 miles after. It was a long day but worth the effort.

Thursday we got up at 5am again and hit mile 265 and the highway by 11. It took us about 20 mins to get s ride. Two guys going to get scrap metal in town took us in with their pick-up but we got off at the Big Bear Lake post office instead of the one in Big Bear City (Big Bear is supposed to be one town but is split in two sections like that). A friendly local, called Sergio, gave us a lift to the other PO where we got our supplies. He gave us a tip that Thelma's was the place to have lunch and so we did. I'm amazed at how friendly and helpful some people have been. We had a great lunch with lots of coffee and some desert. Sergio came by again to give me a small magazine about Yosemite because we were talking about it in his car. He is going there with his family in July. Really friendly guy. We are at Motel 6 tonight and will maybe camp at the lake tomorrow. Taking a zero day tomorrow as my left ankle has been bothering me a bit and the body just needs to rest a bit.

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Day 16 (May 7): Miles 199 - 219

Woke up this morning and my feet and ankles felt ok. We did the last 7 miles down to the valley quite quickly and from there it was a hot but pretty level 4 miles,first on tarmac and then soft sand.

Under the bridge at interstate 10 we found some trail magic including soda and beer. Had a cherry soda. A guy in some extended and offroad VW Beetle came driving under the bridge with what looked like a bunch of tourists or something. He knew we were thru hikers and explained to the others in the beetle what we were doing. Looked like something out of a safari scene. Only we were the local "wild life" this time round ! ;-)

The trail angels that supply the goods there also showed up. It was Lake To Lake and Warner Springs Monty. They gave us some twinkies and ice lollies. It turned out that they would be serving food another 9 miles up the trail at Whitewater Reserve and tonight would be the last time. So after a rest under the bridge we moved on in the scorching sun.

We made quick stop at La Mesa wind farm where they give hikers ice cool water from the freezer and you can even get a microwave lunch for a few bucks. Sat here for a while under a shaded area they made for hikers.

At about 6 myself and Bryan got to Whitewater. Andrew was already there. The food was still there and we were some of the last hikers coming in so we had pretty much all that was left. We sat with our feet in the ice cold creek and chilled out for a while. Camping out here tonight. Great place for a zero day so still considering that. Left ankle was quite sore the last two days so I might need the rest.

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Days 13 - 15 (May 4 - 6): Miles 173 - 199

On Friday I had about 7 miles to Saddle Junction and then 2.5 down to the trailhead near Idyllwild. I walked about a mile down the road and then I got a ride into town from the friendly lady running the Idyllwild Inn. They were full so she dropped me off at the campsite where I paid 3 dollars for the night. Had a nice hot shower and tended to the sore feet. Then I was off to the laundromat to get my clothes washed. Met Legion, another PCT hiker, there. After that I had a great salad, pizza and a few beers at the Idyllwild Pizza company. They had a 10 % discounts for PCT hikers. Saw Bryan (met him briefly earlier on trail) there and he ended up camping in the same spot as me that night. Also saw Sheldon and Christian in town a few times.

That night I met Andrew and Ryan who had been hiking with Bryan. There was also a guy from Liverpool but can't recall the name. We all had a few beers together that night.

Saturday I mostly ate all day. I had a breakfast burrito with some of the guys. Then a pastry and cookies from the bakery. At lunch I had this massive mexican meal I couldnt even finish. Guess it's because I had a huge tub of frozen yoghurt a few minutes before lunch!

I decided to head late on Saturday with Bryan and Andrew. We all made trips the library and outdoor outfitters and at about 5 we started out of town. A very generous lady called Mo gave us a ride to the trailhead. She had already taken 16 hikers up that day! We did the 2.5 mile ascent to Saddle Junction fairly quickly and hike on another mile or so untill we found a great camp with views of Palm Springs. We packed out a few beers to drink there. It was the coldest night on trail yet but we were almost at 9000 odd feet.

Sunday was tough. We did about 18 miles and the 6000 foot descent down to the I-10 highway is a killer. We aren't even there yet, we probably need to desend another 2000. So we are camped out on a ridge above the valley. Much warmer tonight. My feet are really sore but confident they will recover enough by tomorrow.

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Day 12 (3 May): Miles 157 - 173

So today involved a lot of climbing as I entered the San Jacinto mountains. It's been the toughest day of climbing yet.

I'm camping at about 7000 feet and overlooking what I believe is Palm Springs. The scenery has been great today. There are a few tough sections I would not have tried if there was still snow up here.

Had a tough time getting water from a spring today as my water bladders kept falling in ( air got pushed out to quick for gravity to let the water flow in). Eventually I just put the spouts against a small outflow but it took forever to fill up. Got there in the end though!

I'm amazed at the humming birds. They seem very interested in me and fly close enough for me to be able to reach out and touch them. But of course they quickly wizz away if I try.

I saw Heather and Sierra(Monkey) again today and have seen them quite frequently from Paradise Cafe onwards. Also hiked with Simpson and Big Wuss during the day. Was surprised how much Simpson knew about SA history and the boer war. Turns out he reads a lot of military history and is or was part of the US military.

While I'm writing this I am watching the mountain shadows engulf Palm Springs and the valley below. Amazing.

Off to Idylwild tomorrow and hoping to get there before lunch.

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Day 11 (2 May): Miles 138 - 157

Today I set out at about 7 to get to Paradise Corner Cafe. The cafe is a favourite with hikers and I was looking forward to a nice burger.

Another hiker informed me that the cafe closes at 3pm so I motored for about 12 miles and was exhausted as I did the last mile from the trail to the cafe at about 12 pm But it was worth it. I had the Jose burger and two beers. Great lunch.

So I got a few litres of water and started heading out again. I was surprised at how many miles I ended up doing but really tired now.

I found a great little camp site in the mountains at about mile 157!

Aiming to maybe hit Idylwild by Friday afternoon.

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Day 10 (1 May): Miles 124 - 138

We woke this morning surrounded by an amazing world of huge boulders and remnants of what I imagine used to be a very old forest. Some trees were still standing but the majority were destroyed by fire. It was like a scene from Lord Of The Rings.

We hiked on to a Chihauhau road and from there we walk a short stretch to the house of trail angel Mike. He wasn't there but we relaxed there for a while and slowly some other hikers came in.

I had a quick meal and said goodbye to Matt for the moment. He wanted to stay longer and nurse some injuries. I really enjoyed his company over the last week or so and he is great hiking partner. Hopefully I will see him up the trail.

Some of the hikers I've met over the last couple of days and have seen frequently are Weebee, Mr. Wizard, Worry Wart, Big Wuss, Christo and Sheldon. Those are only the ones I can remember the names of. Also briefly met an english guy from Leytonstone who flew by us.

Ankles and feet were very tired by the end of today. Hopefully an early night and some good sleep will sort me out sinceI slept quite rough the last few nights. Tonight Im using my blow up matras. Luxury!

Had a beatiful sunset and interesting cloud formations.

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Day 9 (Apr 30): Miles 106 - 123

So we never ended up camping at Eagle Rock. We walked on into a beatiful sunset and eventually found a nice place next to the creek and just before Warner Springs. It was already dark so the tent spot I chose was very uneven and made for a rough night.

This morning we quickly walked to the Post Office where I got my resupplies and forwarded on my drift box to Big Bear City. There was trail angel called Marmot taking people from the PO to the community centre so we hopped into her old VW minibus and got to have a great breakfast and ice cream at the centre.

We set out from there at about 10:30 with the intent to reach Chihauhau Road. It was mostly uphill today but there was also some great scenery along the way.

We ended up camping in an amazing boulder field in the mountains, about 3 miles out from Chihauhau road. Beautiful place!

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