Journey Day 81 | PCT Day 81

7/6/85

Up from lake spot, off about 7:30 a.m. Meet, pass couple from Haywood in the San Francisco area. Climb to saddle near Tryon Peak, then down near Nobel Lake. The couple catches me on the downhill. The man turns out to be a backpack gear fanatic. We talk as we hike down. As we head back up to Ebbetts Pass, I pull away and lose them permanently after a nice talk. He tells me of the book Pleasure Packing and about crystalline iodine from REI for water purification.

After some spirited climbing, make Ebbetts Pass. As I’m crossing road, strap on my waistbelt snaps. Short break, then back on with pack. Up again, then mellow ups and downs past nice Kinney Lakes. See first birdwatchers.

Onward through some wild landscapes. Then cross creeks. Stop near Eagle Creek for a break. Meet the Normans from Los Gatos. They give me food – Hooray! Munch hard-boiled eggs. They take a photo they’re to send to Mom. We go our separate ways.

Hike on burping, mellow from their food. Come across a party of six who like the Normans camped at Raymond Lake, which I never see.

Wonderful mountains, rocks. Shoot one of Reynolds Peak for Texas friends Greg and Vickie Reynolds. Make saddle, get photo of me in front of Raymond Peak, out into the valley. Down I go. Hiking around windy ridge, hat flies off down rocky wall. I climb after it on precarious steps. Slide last 15 feet to crash landing. Grab hat, climb back up to pack. This convinces me against going beyond 20 miles for the day. I  hike up more, then down to Pleasant Valley Creek. Camp near a tributary. 19.4 miles with more than two hours of daylight. Eat big meal, dessert from the Normans, tea from Eric. Wash sock and update journal. Crash under stars as creek gurgles. Drizzles, mosquitoes in my ear force me out of warm sleeping bag for bottomless pitch in dark. Then back to bed in my secure cocoon.