“Omg! Adam! How do you live like this!?” - Natalie
Mile 1710 to 1716 and 1733 to 1726
Teehee! Ashland Is finally here, and with it comes great friends, Kyle and Natalie! Kyle has been deployed with the Navy for the past 8 months flying helicopters and doing generally totally bad ass things for this fine nation.
I woke up early and ran/walked the 6 miles into Callahans, a rustic resort right off the PCT, to find the Fitches ready and waiting. Despite my week of not bathing, big hugs were in order.
The morning was filled with an onslaught of logistics from Hawkeye who had many stories about acquiring his new shoes (all the way in Sacramento) and how he was still waiting for his pack to arrive in the mail. Maverick was still in town before his flight home to teach his 3rd graders and was playing trail angel for a few days with his rental car.
After what seemed like a lifetime, I finally had my food sorted, logistics locked in, and a ride sorted out (Mav!) to head 17 miles up the trail and hike southbound with Kyle and Nat back to their car so they could get a taste of the PCT.
Maverick entertained us with his banter during the car ride and had Kyle and Nat laughing and putting their hands in the air to signify, “who is this guy!?”. Oh yes, that’s our Mav.
Without too much fanfare, we were off! Our early conversation turned to me hoping that this completely random section of trail that I “picked” would provide good views without too much nasty climbing or terrain. Natalie said that she wanted to see “a great view”.
Not a mile later we ran in to some dayhikers from the area that casually remarked in passing, “the upcoming blahdy blah peak provides a great view!” Perfect. Well, when we got to blahdy blah peak, we were two miles into the hike and it was a quarter mile off trail. I asked if she wanted to go see the great view, and in Natalie's loud and fun voice, “Heck No!” This, my friends, is PCT laziness, which Natalie acquired after only 2 miles of hiking. Well done!
