Double D and the PCT

Hi everybody. Doolittle here. I have been chillin’ at home for a while enjoying this balmy Florida summer. I needed a break from writing, too. But my energy is returning. I wanted to publish a few more posts before wrapping up the blog for the year. I asked my hiking friends if they could give me their thoughts on the trail. They all agreed. First, my good friend Keith (Double D) shares his thoughts below. The photos are his as well. Enjoy.

Reflections on a month in the desert

In May of this year, I had the pleasure of joining David Somers (Doolittle) on his quest to complete the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). He needed to accomplish a mere 704 miles to finish his goal to do the entire trail (which followers of his blog have experienced with him). I got a month kitchen pass to accompany him on the first 342 miles where I would leave the trail to meet my wife in Las Vegas for our 10th anniversary (which was actually while I was on the trail). We would start in Campo, California, on the Mexican border, going through the desert section of the trail that is almost impossible to do later in the year due to lack of water and excess of heat. I will not recount day by day events as Dave has already mastered that with his blog far beyond my capability but will comment on some of my lessons and memories from the hike in the desert.

Doolittle and Double D (our trail names) on the trail.

The First Hundred is Easy

I had done a few longer hikes but had topped out a little over a hundred miles. In hindsight, that is quite easy. It wasn’t until about day 10 or so that the endless beating on the body started really taking its toll and more importantly that your mind wrestles with the fact that “this ain’t going to be over very fast”. You really must be mentally prepared at this point to keep the faith.

There were more than a few evenings when I was dealing with a lot of pain in my right foot that I was ready to pack it in. I had dealt with this type of thing before though and would always think, “wait until tomorrow to decide what to do.” The next morning would dawn with new hope and I would always believe I could make it at least one more day and I always did! After those first 10 days, each day became a pattern of up at 5, on the trail by 6, find a camp about 5, set up the camp and eat. To bed about 7 or 8. Repeat. It is actually a good life.

One hundred miles down
One of many camps
Sometimes the trail looks like a desolate, never ending desert

It is NOT fun!

OK, maybe this is a rash statement, but the truth is, if you decide to do a long hike like this for fun, you might have a hard time. What it was in my mind was a fantastic challenge and adventure and a way to push yourself beyond normal limits. When you are climbing 3000 feet on a hot day with no water for 17 miles, it is NOT fun, it is a challenge, but the feeling of self-satisfaction you get when get to the top and find the water is overwhelming. It is beyond fun. It is in reality self-actualization. You feel like you can conquer the world for those next few minutes (before collapsing onto the ground).

Water!

Speaking of Water…

You are in the desert, it’s all about water, duhhhhh. I never had such an appreciation for water as I did after this hike (understatement). When you look at your map and it says, “Note: No water for the next 27 miles” you realize you ain’t on the interstate no more. We were fortunate that California had a whopper of a snow year, so water was a little more available than it normally is.

Even with that there were some huge gaps that had no water, and if not for the amazing “Trail Angels” (more about them later) the hike would be almost impossible. Many people would take it on themselves to leave large caches of water at remote points of the trail where there were large gaps with no water (THANKS Professor at Scissors Crossing!!!!). We would have to sit down a few times a day to decide on water strategy. Since it was 2 pounds a liter to carry it, you had to be careful to not carry too much or too little. I remember as Dave and I sat at a tiny spring after a long, hot, tough climb we remarked that we would not trade that little flow of water for a 100 pounds of gold. I am dead serious about that.

A cache of water

It’s Really About the People

The people on the trail are amazing. We started from the south terminus with the “Class of 2023”, those that would try to hike the whole trail. We got to know many of them over the following weeks as we would pass each other during breaks or camp next to each other at night. They were from the US, UK, Canada, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Japan and many other places. If the leaders of the world could interact the way the people on the trail interacted, we would all be in a better world. We did not worry about “who” anyone was, they were just a fellow traveler on a great adventure. We swapped tips, information, stories and more. If you were short of water, they would be happy to share. Dave has documented many of them in his blog. I shall remember them all.

The people in our resupply towns were equally delightful. PCT hikers get discounts everywhere and the townsfolk always had a kind word and helpful information on where to do laundry, find the post office or get the best meal. They made the stops “fun”. (OK, there is SOME fun on the trail).

Last but far from least are the “Trail Angels”. These are people that have an enduring love for the PCT, many of them having thru hiked it themselves. They are all over the trail providing free transport, stocking caches with water, setting up a surprise stop on the trail with grilled sausage and beer. These angels make the trail special. One in particular, Rebecca, the Fossil Lady, made it so that I could finish my quest. I was having trouble with my shoes and blisters at the start so we decided to go into Julian from Warner Springs.

As fate would have it, a local trail angel in Warner Springs gave us Rebecca’s phone number and we called her. Even though she was far away she came and got us and took us into Julian. It so happened she worked at Two Foot Adventures, an outdoor supply store. She directed me to the owner who she said could fix up my foot problems. She was right! New shoes (common for PCT’ers), socks and some blister medications allowed me to finish my quest. Thanks Rebecca! (You can see a picture of her in Dave’s last blog entry. Amazing she gave him his first and last ride on his quest this year).

The Mayor (yes a dog) of Idylwild, one of our fun resupply stops.
Resupply sorting, how many days I of food?

The Trail Provides

You hear this a lot on the PCT and other trails. It is like the trail is a living thing, and while you are on it, it is alive!

The trail provides unbelievable challenges including lack of water, steep climbs, unending deserts and more. Just when you think you have it licked you hit ten major blowdowns across the steep trail (trees down). It takes every ounce of energy you have to get over them and then you still have 8 miles to go. You are just getting to camp and a 40mph wind kicks up that knocks down your tent multiple times at night. You turn a corner just to face five miles of deep snow that you must traverse. You come up on a river that you must cross 31 times to get to your destination. It throws challenge after challenge at you.

The trail provides unexpected rewards. You get up in the morning to a spectacular sunrise. You turn a corner and see miles of wildflowers spreading across the landscape. You get to the top of a tough climb to be greeted by an awe inspiring vista of mountains and desert floor. You look down on the trail and see a “trail magic” box with something you really needed.

Yes, the trail is a living thing. Made that way by the people and the land you are traversing.

Sunrise
Snow???? (Trails are really hard to follow under a few feet of snow)
A month in the desert???
Crossing 17 of 31 but who is counting?
Vistas

Final Thoughts

When I got down to the final day of hiking, I struggled with a lot of feelings. I had exceeded my goal of 300 miles. I had finished more than 10% of the trail (not much to thru hikers but a big deal for me) My feet were VERY excited to be finishing. I was looking forward to meeting my wife (Laurie) in a few days for our wedding anniversary. Without her support and encouragement, none of this would have been possible.

On the other hand, I was leaving a lot of myself on the trail. Blood, sweat and tears, painful and joyful moments, and unforgettable memories. I felt very guilty leaving Dave who had put up with my cranky foot and sometime attitude but kept me going. (Thanks Doolittle) I can say without doubt that you really get to know someone when you spend a month on the trail together (and both live to tell about it). I was happy he teamed up with Dealer and Seven to finish his quest. A lot of me wanted to keep ongoing, but I knew it was time.

I will never forget my month in the desert. It has left an indelible mark on my soul.

The hardest thing (other than leaving Dave) was missing the never ending vistas I around every corner.
10% marker
The final vista before I got off, the trail provides a last awesome view!
The final picture of the dynamic duo

A job well done. Double D, signing off!!!

6 Replies to “Double D and the PCT”

  1. Wow, Doolittle, I see that your friends are excellent writers also! I really enjoyed reading this.

  2. Keith, thanks for taking the time to write about your experience… for now it remains a vicarious for me, but someday I want to hike a couple hundred miles (or more).
    Glad you’re home safely and I hope you and Laurie had a great anniversary.
    Take care and best wishes!

  3. Congratulations Dave! What a great adventure and inspirational friends.

  4. Huck Hensley says:

    I really appreciate your writing. You have great insight into what motivates anyone to attempt this hike.
    Beginning next week, I’m hiking another 150 miles of the PCT in Washington, where I met Doolittle two years ago.
    I hope you’ll continue to write about your insights and recollections.

  5. I love the reflections and insight and look forward to the others who will add to the experience. To be honest I was sad that you were going to be leaving my friend because I could see that you both inspired one another to be strong and continue. Dealer and seven stepped in nicely to fill the void left by your departure. Congratulations on your accomplishments, both the PCT and your anniversary. Well done!

  6. Mike Kochmann says:

    I’ve enjoyed every word of your account of the trail, usually while on a walk with our dog. This capstone really had my attention and knowing both of you, had me choked up with emotion. Great accomplishments are far greater when experienced with someone, particularly with a person you know and care about. I am so happy for you guys! The PCT is a significant notch in the tally of life’s accomplishments and will add to the great human beings you are. Thank you for sharing.

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