Dealer and the PCT

Hi everyone. It’s Doolittle back with more words from my hiking partners. Today Dealer (Shelley) is offering her words. Dealer hiked the PCT this year with her husband (Seven). They started from Campo on May 4. I was hiking with Double D when I first met Dealer and Seven stretched out for a nap on the trail north of Big Bear Lake.

Keith and I ran across them several more times in the days that followed, notably at the ford of the Deep Creek by the Mojave Dam and at the McDonalds at Cajon Pass. I began hiking with Dealer and Seven when Double D left the trail. Our first day together was the marathon hike into Wrightwood.

We stayed together the rest of the way.

Although Dealer did not always love trail life (who does?), she was a pleasure to hike with. I admired her toughness. I also admired her photos, several of which I used in this blog. The photos and words that follow are Dealer’s. I hope you enjoy them.

Dealer speaks

What a privilege, being asked to contribute to Doolittle’s blog! And also, I must say, I’m a bit apprehensive about it, as his are big shoes to fill (trail runners, as it were)!

The first thing I would like to say is how nice it was to have our own little “tramily” for hiking the last 3-4 weeks of our PCT Desert Section journey. Seven and I really enjoyed hiking with Doolittle, who was a great hiking partner and always the voice of reason. We learned a lot of good habits that will serve us well later in our PCT adventures.

My favorite parts of the PCT were by far the sunrises – I’m sure the sunsets were great too, but we were rarely awake to witness them – and the flowers. I’m including my favorite sunset photos. The new day always seemed to inspire a new attitude for me, which I often needed! Plus my feet always hurt less at the beginning of each day. The flowers were everywhere this year it seemed, and the colors most definitely brightened the trail.

I would have liked to meet more older female hikers during our journey. There were mostly young people, or older men, that we met. No one seemed to be sharing the same issues I was (menopause is no fun – hormone meds and hot flashes were hard to manage).

I am currently resting my feet (had X-Rays which were “inconclusive” and will re-do next week). Our goal is to head back out on the trail in mid-August, doing the 600 mile section from Chester southbound to Kennedy Meadows which is what our permit allows. This will depend on the trail conditions, including snow coverage and river crossings, but we are hoping we can time it correctly while enjoying the amazing views in the Sierras!

Doolittle’s notes

Dealer recently received the doctors report on her foot injuries – tendinitis and bursitis but no permanent damage. That is great news although it doesn’t promise any relief. Good luck, Dealer!

Breaking news!

A subtle drama is unfolding as Dealer seems to be losing leverage in her negotiations with Seven. Seven’s most recent opening position was that he might be willing to go back to the trail without her! Seven seems to be playing hardball here. This is clearly his toughest stance this year. Not to be outdone, however, Dealer thinks she can land at least one spa day in South Lake Tahoe! Stay tuned as this drama unfolds. The last time I witnessed this kind of marital drama was when Huck and Nadine got separated overnight on the trail south of Stehikin!