Journey Day 49 | PCT Day 49

6/4/85

Up from spot near the road. We hike cross country toward a dreaded road climb. Find more than we bargained for in two valleys with streams to cross, plus brush with bothersome stickers. Stop to remove stickers. I switch socks and we trudge up a hot road winding to a summit near Lamont Peak.  Rough climb interrupted only by BLM man and girl in a car. We talk to man, check out girl.

After so much time without, each female encounter is followed by a discussion of the female. We smile, they go by.

Breaking at the summit as I write. Shady spot, minimum bugs. Almost chilly after near 100-degree climb up the sunny side of this peak.

Kennedy Meadows is so close. Sierra talk is popular as we ponder our packing of 19 days of food, megagear for this long anticipated stretch.

Fatigue hits as we hike down from the summit near Chimney Creek Campground. Take another long break, eat most of my available munching food. Head up side ridge off the trail. Find the trail and climb again through beautiful forests. Hike well up into the mountains, crash on the path again. Very thin sleep space, but sufficient. We eat well, then crash for final day to Kennedy Meadows.