Journey Day 36 | PCT Day 36

Always seem to be climbing along California Crest

5/22/85

Early start begins with 1,400 foot climb, gradually grinding up to Mt. Pacifico. Rewarded with a forested return on the descent. Nice hiking along ridges leading down to a break on a shady ridge preceding a jeep road.

I walk first alone and enjoy two hours of solitude. Just me and the path. Tough trail crossings, crashed out and deteriorated parts, but I walk solid to water at Mill Creek Summit.

Missing Mary greatly since return to city. Possibly the sight of woman flesh revive my dormant male sex hormones. . It has been almost two months. Whether it’s longing love or my “little head doing the thinking,” as she used to say, I am unhappy only from this.

Nature now seems very comfortable for me. We have hiked much of this trip, almost 400 miles, without tents.

The worries of city life are no longer a concern. I am concerned first with making miles to keep   crossing into Canada a possibility,  finding water to drink and for cooking while avoiding trouble one can find in nature if you don’t keep your head.

I miss sudden luxuries not at all.

From the Mill Creek Summit, we hike up again. Always it seems we are climbing. Even on a day expected to be easy, we climbed over 2,000 feet.

Through burnt forests, we walk to a spot on the path where we bivy for the night. No tents again. Just under the stars, our second night directly on the path. A nice view of the valley below and the Mojave Desert.