Journey Day 29 | PCT Day 29

Pacific Crest Trail, San Gabriel background

5/15/85

Up with the sun, we take on a climb on into the San Gabriel Mountains. Only one quart of water left from six taken from Cajon Pass. 

Feeling weak, possibly altitude sickness. We make our way slowly uphill. The miles are coming harder, but we struggle up another 2,000 feet to Guffy Campground and water from a spring. 

As I’m ascending the final stretch, two dogs come charging down barking. After them, their master, Dick Schroer, a teacher from Tustin, California. He’s called in sick for a “sanity day” up in the mountains. He’s a nature nut, Edward Abbey disciple like us, though for him middle-age approaches.

He shares his orange and cookies. We talk of the variety of nature, etc. Eventually he offers to take us down to the Yoddler Inn in Wrightwood. Three men and two dogs pile into a VW Bug with 320,000 miles on it and down we go. He and Keith discuss their love of maps, travels. I down two St. Pauli Girls and a cheeseburger.

He heads off for an appointment in the city in hopes of getting his deaf and blind 24-year-old daughter into a state school, after returning us to Guffy.

Jerry and a group of campers give us a piece of chicken which we wolf down. Then coffee and help with the fire. We end up around theirs, before crashing relaxed.

So many people along the way have helped us out. Others are curious. We’re like throwbacks to the old days. Adventurers on a quest?