Pack Frustrations

My adventure from Idyllwild to San Jacinto started out differently than expected.  The heat rash on my legs had healed with a day's rest. I found a couple guys who were planning to head back to the trail at 5AM to do a side route of summitting San Jacinto. It was an extra 2000 foot climb, and I was ready to conquer every piece of it. That evening, we said goodbyes to people who were staying in town a couple days, in hopes to recover from their ailments. These included tendons in knees, ankles, and hips that felt like they were shredded to pieces. Constant 20 mile daily pounding of dodging loose rocks and poisonous plants takes a toll on a person's body. The ground is rarely level with various types of terrain, which makes for constant jolts, and twists of the human body that is unknown to any sport. 

Some people had feet completely bubbled up from the most gigantic blisters I've ever seen. One guy claimed a girl had blisters under her toe nails. I really wish I would have seen it, because that sounds completely maddening and hard to picture! People would ask me how sandals were working out, and I said perfect! I've only had 2 blisters, and don't have any other problems. One of the main reason people can't keep hiking this trail is because of blisters. When your foot is in a shoe, and you are walking all day, everyday, your foot is bound to blister. Your feet get hot and sweaty, which makes your skin nice and soft. In return, that constant rubbing of your shoe will form blisters. My theory (along with a past PCT hiker) was that wearing a comfortable pair of sandals with out a toe covering, would lead to happy results. Sandals allow your feet to breathe, and if you keep them loose enough, there won't be much friction to cause blisters. Also, if anything slides under your foot, it'll slide right out with the next step. This makes sand, rocks, sticks, and dirt not a problem, and is why I went with comfy Tevas for my trek.

What happens when I cowboy camp, and I'm too tired to organize anything.

I woke up at 4:30am and packed up my cowboy camp. Feeling refreshed and ready to conquer the world, the 2 guys and I jumped into a strangers car as he drove us to the trailhead. As we arrived, I habitually reached down to latch my hip belt around my body. After a short struggle, I realized my strap was completely gone! I literally had no way too strap my bag around my waist! My eyes got big as I rummaged around and soon realized I would not be joining the early birds. I thought about pressing forward with out a hip belt, but knew that would be a stupid decision. I said goodbye as they trudged up the hillside. I jealously got into the vehicle as my ride took me back into town. I was very irritated at my little predicament and sat on a bench outside of the coffee shop for 1.5 hours before they opened. It was a chilling 32 degrees outside, and my hands froze as I retraced my steps and tore apart all of my gear, in hopes to find a strap. As I thought back, I started to realized where the accident must have happened. It was a group hitch hike with 5 other people. They were manhandling the bags in the back of the truck, to get situated, as I sat in the cab falling asleep after my 44 mile hike and delicious food. Somehow my hip belt must have gotten stuck under something and pulled away from my bag. 



When the coffee shop opened, I decided to do a little blogging because I had another 2 hour wait until the hikers shop opened. To increase my luck, and laughter at this awful situation, I ordered a coffee called "Luck O' the Irish". I laughed and thought, well, I'm Irish, and I could use a little more luck right now, so why not? 

As hiker friends came into the coffee shop, they were confused to see me. Looks like this town was sucking me into the vortex of hiker ailments. At 9 am, I made it over to the hiker shop for a quick fix. They were going to give me new straps, but out of frustration and sick of dealing with an ill-fitting pack, I decided to donate the pack to the shop as I stuffed my belongings into my new ULA Catalyst. This was the bag that I was going to buy for this trip, until I was given a free one to be a brand ambassador. The old pack thrust my hips in a forward position, and I had tried to deal with it for almost 200 miles. This new pack, brought my hips to a comfortable neutral position and contoured to the curve of my spine so beautifully. I didn't want to take it off. From this day forward, I knew I'd walk up the mountain like a stroll in the park. It felt AMAZING!

An hour before I left the shop, a guy offered me a ride to the trail head. He was headed up "Devil's Slide" and happened to be exploring the area before he had to go to his oil job in Alaska. Speechless that I was offered a ride with out even having to ask, I jumped in the car, ready to roll. My 5am start, ended up being a 1pm start, but I was going to power up the mountain and watch the sunset from 10,835 feet. One again, a blessing in disguise. 


Here is an interactive map for you to explore my footsteps... http://www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail/maps-and-guidebooks/

M.S. is Worse Than a 44 Mile Hike in 26 Hours

It's been a little over a week since I started my adventure.

I decided to sit down and write my impressions of my experience of a 44 mile 26 hour hike with 30 pounds strapped to my back, and connect it to M.S. (last paragraph). 

Yesterday, after hiking 44 miles in 26 hours, I felt nearly non existent. People would ask me questions; I could barely answer them, because I was extremely mentally and physically drained. Never in my life have I pushed my body that hard while carrying a 30 pound pack.

8 miles outside of Warner Springs, I developed a rash that covered both of my thighs. Not knowing what it was, I decided it would be in my best interest to get to the next town a.s.a.p. Here is a video of when I first discovered it:

This is what a 44 mile push felt like:

My body and brain wanted to stop, but I had to push myself, or I knew I wouldn't make it. I had to give myself something to look forward to, and that was Paradise Valley Cafe. I heard about a loaded "Jose burger" that seemed like heaven. My eye was on the goal, and I was getting there.

Not knowing if I was having an allergic reaction, I took a benadryl and put a typical steroid cream on the rash. Forgetting about the drowsy side effects of benadryl, I zombied my way down the trail. The heat of the sun was pounding on my body as I trudged through the dry, water sapping desert. With 6 miles left, there was a sign that said, "PCT hikers! Water, soda, hikerbox, 100 feet."THANK YOU TRAIL ANGELS!" So miraculous! The first 20 seconds of this clip is what I felt like: 

After the last grueling 6 mile stretch through the hot desert with absolutely no shade (just like the past 38 miles), I made it to Paradise Cafe. People started asking my name, which I now reply "Wiki Wiki" (trail name). They asked how I got it, and I couldn't remember "Gottawalk's" name because I was so drained. All I could say is sorry, I can't think right now.

"Gottawalk" (67) who gave me my trail name "Wiki Wiki" (quick in Hawaiian). She has hiked the PCT, CDT, AT, and American Discovery. She is a beast and I love it!

Happy to have my burger.

I devoured my hamburger and fries, and proceeded to ask for a plate of pie and ice cream. The next thing I heard was, "You better wake up and eat your ice cream." I jumped out of my dream and into reality. Did I really just fall asleep in a chair at a restaurant? There was music and loud conversations all around me. I felt exhausted, but the ice cream looked delicious! People around me laughed as I quickly finished every last drop of ice cream and pie.

 The next stop was a $3 camp site in "Idyllwild" with a $1, 5 minute shower. The best 5 minute shower of my life, even though I had one 2 days earlier. At 5pm, I crawled into my sleeping bag and fell asleep. When I woke up the next morning, I started laughing when I discovered 2 hamburgers laying next to me. I was so confused, but later found out that a hiker thought I'd be hungry, so he put those next to me. Kind of random and funny to wake up to 2 hamburgers laying next to me, but very thoughtful.

This mentally and physically draining experience made me think of people trying to deal with Multiple Sclerosis. We tend to have set expectations for our friends and family. People wanted me to talk more to them, but I couldn't. Thinking straight was a mental chore that I just didn't want to do. Walking was awful, my legs were numb, and it felt like more of a hobble, but I had to keep moving. Many people with Multiple Sclerosis have these symptoms 24/7 plus blurry vision, and more! Most of the time there is no break, no getting better, and no healing. They often say, "What is normal? I don't remember." Slowly degrading with these masked symptoms, keeps them pushing for a cure. Ya, sure, cures may be hard to come by, but... What if? What if you were part of the cure discovered for M.S? How amazing would that be? Medical break-throughs are only achieved by people passionate about the future of discovery.

I would appreciate all readers to comment how M.S. affects your life (even if you don't have it), and how important and beneficial a cure would be. Examples would be great! To do something about anything, we have to speak out, and make people aware. We have to increase understanding and drive. There's no point in being timid. Let's get out there!

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I'm writing everything on a smart phone, so sorry for any typos or imperfections. :-)

Czechoslovakian M.S. Team

The Czechoslovakian M.S. team who is cheering me on. How awesome!

Promotional video is now online! Please check it out and share it with friends and co-workers!