July 17, 2013
22 miles today
mile 1357

Boiling mudlake

The loud awakening/departure of construction workers at 4:30 AM substituted for rain. But this time the effect was temporary. Back to darkness and a decent hour of return to consciousness. Recharged and packed, all headed in different breakfast destinations. Then hikers coated the highway in multiple groups for a return to the trailhead. Normally this presents a problem, but not in hiker friendly Chester. Orbit and I caught a ride with meandering moose. A 2012 through hiker, his nostalgia was palpable as he discussed the changes his through hike had brought to his life.

Back on the trail by 10, orbit and I discussed the nature of aggression. Why it is that in the animal world animals will fight to make a point, but not to the death. While humans will fight to the death. Good topic, but over soon as I lagged behind. My pack felt like a VW bus riding on my hips. All steps a challenge. I cursed Dollar General and their reasonable prices bitterly on climbs. I resolved to fast until Canada. Made it to lunch by yet another fork of the feather River and lay down, my resolve forgotten. Decided never to get up again or at least until I had polished off six pounds of food. But as always, calories and rest return the hunger to see what is around the corner. The human race as always divided into those that have to know what is around the corner and those that are content where they are.

Around that corner was Terminal Geyser, a massive vent in the earth shooting out pressured steam and boiling water/mud scented with sulfur. A fine show worth the side hiking. The next corner revealed a bubbling mud Lake. Mt Lassen National Park was proving a show off. I plodded along. With many points of interest came multiple forks in the path. I took the wrong one every time. Thus I was late to the trail magic party at spot 15 in a well laid out campground. There Nancy, off on her own hike, had left a spread for through hikers. Thank you Nancy! everyone was stopped dead in their tracks practicing their munching skills.

And there I revealed the highlight of my day. Coming around a turn I looked up just in time to see a bobcat glide across the path. A true treat for the senses. Pushed on a few more miles to a river and a bed for the night. On the way perhaps convincing Veggie to go to India and Nepal brother then join the military after his PCT hike.

Good night to all.

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

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