May 17
2 miles

The wind found ways to work its way under my quilt so I woke up cold. Was happy to get moving. The two miles to the highway were a sprint, but the hitch into town proved problematic. Four people hitching seemed more like an ambush than hitch hiking. Luckily we were able to get a hold of Big Bear Hostel who sent out a truck to pick us up.

No beds were ready yet, so Sarge, the ex-Marine manager, suggested a local breakfast feeding establishment. There Orbit took on the breakfast challenge – six hula hoop sized pancakes in under an hour. If successful, which had never happened, you get your picture on the wall and $50 and a day of agony on some couch. My prime in eating contests is long past so I was reduced to coaching. Her gallant efforts collapsed after three pancakes.

Back at the hostel, Sarge checked us in. A 16-year veteran, he had been in too many conflicts, including Beirut in 1983. There he had been blown 30 ft. by the blast that killed 200 plus of his fellow soldiers. Of his original squad of 80 men, only two are alive today. I would guess him to be 50 years old. That is a steep price paid in full.

The day was consumed by the usual in-town chores and errands. I picked up my bounce box and new tent pole. Thank you Z Packs. I am now back in shelter. Cleared the super market out of Couscous which I am now a master chef of. Ate a small school of sushi. Re-watched Scent of a Woman for Al Pacino’s performance. And thought about the ongoing search for a missing day hiker. A man, woman and a dog had gone out for a hike from Big Bear. Only the dog and man had returned. The woman had been missing for three days. I remembered our last cold night of camping. Interestingly, I met the daughter of the returned man while riding the bus. She told his side of the story. Hard to avoid conclusions on my part. Maybe luck will be with her.

Made it to sleep before the drinkers returned.

Tracking Big Bear Lake

Steve Halteman
On the Pacific Crest Trail
Hiking the PCT for the Kids of Escuela Verde

If you’d like to help out and donate, please click here!