Miles: 566.5 to 577.2
Trail Miles: 10.7
Miles Walked: 11.2
Sorry folks, but the blog. The damn blog. I need to do a better job of editing/writing so updating is quick when I’m in town and have internet. It’s 3:20pm and I’m still at the hotel ‘borrowing’ their internet. Checkout was at noon.
Smokebeard, Painter and everyone are already on the trail.
Finally, it’s 3:30pm – time to go hitch a ride to the trailhead.
I keep thinking of the movie “Wild” based on Cheryl Strayed’s book. This is where she got on the PCT. I also felt like Reese Witherspoon’s portrayal – my pack is loaded with 11 lbs of water (I could have safely left with 4 lbs less), and at least 8 days of food (and by 8 days I really mean enough to feed a family of 4 for two weeks). My food weighed probably close to 20 lbs. it was the heaviest my pack had ever been. I could barely close it and was afraid it would bust a seam
When I caught a hitch from a nice local he asked if I wanted to toss my pack in the back of his truck. I said no and actually kept it on in the front seat. I knew there was no way I could lift it high enough to get it into or out of the bed of the truck, let alone the cab.
The man who offered me a ride had just become a grandfather 8 days ago. He showed me adorable pictures of his granddaughter. Even at 8 days, a happy and playful personality was evident. He said he always gave rides to hikers and asked that I send him a pic from the top of Mt Whitney. I promised I would and made a note in my calendar as a reminder.
I got on the trail at 4pm. Smokebeard had said they were going to a campsite at either 9 or 10.7 miles in. They had a 3 hr headstart, but I thought I could definitely make 9 miles before sunset, if not the 10.7.
It was a tough climb with my pack so loaded, As I gained elevation the wind started blowing, at least 30 mph. Strong enough that walking a straight line was difficult even with my trekking poles. There’s a reason why this is wind farm country. 
Zoom in and you can see the Mojave Airport & Spaceport, home to the Rutaan Brothers and Virgin Galactic
I eventually made it to the 10.7 mile campsite shortly after sunset. Everyone was there and already in their sleeping bags. I ate a quick dinner and settled in for the night.
Fortunes from my Tehachapi resupply