Outdoor Adventures with Ancient Brit
PCT 2002 - May 22nd
Day 43: Wednesday 22nd May McIvers Hut – Walker Pass
Overnight, it was very cold outside but nice and warm in the hut.
Approaching Walker Pass, the snow-covered High Sierra could be seen on the
northern horizon. It was only 8 miles to Walker Pass Campground, which we reached
early in the morning. “Billy Goat” told me that in 1990 at the age I was now, fifty-
one, he had set off from Campo on the same date as me, 8th April, and also arrived
at Walker Pass on the 22nd May. When he had previously done this section of the
trail it had been about 30 miles shorter as the PCT took a shorter route, spending
more time in the Mojave Desert before the trail though the Tehachapi and Piute
Mountains was built.
“Cloudwalker” was going to take a rest to allow the recovery of his knee, while I
was taking a week off to organise and cache supplies for the next 1000 miles to the
California-Oregon border.
“Kiwi” arrived, moving fast, while we were eating our second breakfast. He had
taken 5 days off and seemed fully recovered from his injuries.
From the trail register, I gathered that Manfred had passed through 14 days ago
and he would already be in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, probably floundering in
deep snow. Nate had been through 4 days earlier, while Parker and “Jaybird” had
sensibly left the trail for a couple of weeks to allow time for snow to melt in the
Sierras. Parker to earn some money on a building site and “Jaybird to go to his sister’
s graduation. “Kiwi” reported that “Purboy” was back on the trail having had time off
with blister problems.
“Cloudwalker” and “Honey Bear” gave me a lift to Ridgecrest where I had
arranged to pick up a hire car.
Day 43: 7.7 miles 2.47 hours Leave Trail: Walker Pass
Overnight, it was very cold outside but nice and warm in the hut.
Approaching Walker Pass, the snow-covered High Sierra could be seen on the
northern horizon. It was only 8 miles to Walker Pass Campground, which we reached
early in the morning. “Billy Goat” told me that in 1990 at the age I was now, fifty-
one, he had set off from Campo on the same date as me, 8th April, and also arrived
at Walker Pass on the 22nd May. When he had previously done this section of the
trail it had been about 30 miles shorter as the PCT took a shorter route, spending
more time in the Mojave Desert before the trail though the Tehachapi and Piute
Mountains was built.
“Cloudwalker” was going to take a rest to allow the recovery of his knee, while I
was taking a week off to organise and cache supplies for the next 1000 miles to the
California-Oregon border.
“Kiwi” arrived, moving fast, while we were eating our second breakfast. He had
taken 5 days off and seemed fully recovered from his injuries.
From the trail register, I gathered that Manfred had passed through 14 days ago
and he would already be in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, probably floundering in
deep snow. Nate had been through 4 days earlier, while Parker and “Jaybird” had
sensibly left the trail for a couple of weeks to allow time for snow to melt in the
Sierras. Parker to earn some money on a building site and “Jaybird to go to his sister’
s graduation. “Kiwi” reported that “Purboy” was back on the trail having had time off
with blister problems.
“Cloudwalker” and “Honey Bear” gave me a lift to Ridgecrest where I had
arranged to pick up a hire car.
Day 43: 7.7 miles 2.47 hours Leave Trail: Walker Pass
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Owen's Wilderness
Owen's Wilderness