27th May 2013
Mile 496 to mile 517 : Cougar junction to Hikertown
Mileage : 21
So we all made it through the night unmolested by mountain lions, and got moving early. A few miles later we hit the 500 mile marker and celebrated! Woooo! Quite an accomplishment! Many repeats of the proclaimers later we set if again on our way to Hikertown, the last stop before the Majove. From BigBear the trail tracks west avoiding the Majove desert which, for the most part, we have been able to see from the trail as we inched our way along it. Now though the trail turns north and across the desert. The crossing is a 24 mile dry stretch across the flat, hot, dry, dusty and windy desert floor. Fun times. For our crossing it will be sufficiently cool that we can cross it in the day. The reason it is so cool is the wind. Gusts up to 60mph are forecast for the next 2 days. Even without the sun it is going to be difficult, difficult, lemon difficult.
Hiking aside today we decided on a hiking challenge in true TopGear style. The group decided that at Tehachapi, we each have to choose a secret santa 'gift' for another fellow hiker to take with them all the way through he Sierras to Lake Tahoe. A present must weigh no more than 1lb, must be large and cumbersome, must be blogable, and must be carried at all times on the outside of one's rucksack. I have 2 days to think of a suitable present. Any suggestions?
Well done handsome! So proud of you... What number straw hat are you on by now by the way..?!
ReplyDeleteOddly reminiscent of Dad in his slightly-too-small straw hat.
ReplyDeleteLarge, cumbersome, blogable, would have to be carried outside of the rucksack, definitely weighing less than 1lb and multi purpose - bonus! A block of polystyrene would be the ideal accessory - size needs to match owner's posterior (for sitting on), white or light colour (mustn't lose it in the dark), could be used as an insulated pillow (to keep the brain warm on cold nights), impromptu game of footy, throwing & catching (you don't want to lose basic skills), pin message to & leave for following team members to find & bring back to you. Just need to pierce a hole at one corner to thread string & tie to rucksack. Secret Santa would not want to give it away!! If my valuable suggestion arrives too late, it's because your nephew is taking up lots of my time - we have a good thing going - he sleeps on my knee & I read and write emails or put silly comments on your blog.
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