I've started!

Miles 0 to 76.8 of 2,650 (Mexican border to Highway S2).

(There will be photos and hopefully video in the next posts)

All good! The ADZPCTKO (Annual day zero Pacific Crest Trail Kick Off Party) was fantastic, lots of like minded people there to give and exchange advice. 350 odd thru hikers registered this year, lots of free food, great people and great fun.

I started on 07.00am on Sunday 25th April at the Mexican border. Blue skies, temperature around 25c and a cool breeze. I was with two thru hikers, Cara and Gabe. We signed the register at the official start monument, took photos, took a moment to contemplate what we were about to do . . . and started to walk north 2,650 miles.

The first 400 miles (about 3 - 4 weeks) is essentially desert walking. Not as hot as I had expected but it's accepted as a thru hiker that long sleeves and trousers, sun hat and a bandana over the neck is the norm. The PCT winds its way up from 2200 feet at the start to 6000 feet in the Laguna mountains in the first few days. Very few trees but a generous amount of rain over the Winter months means there is greenery, with spring flowers. It is sandy and gritty under foot which provides a very satisfying 'crunch' when I walk.

Occasional shade is welcome and sometimes the ground is damp which I can feel on the skin as well as a sweet smell. There is little water. More than the average for this time of year, but not much. Most of the water sources are running, little creeks and streams gurgle and tinkle as clear, sweet water ambles past. I have to use the water filter but it is tempting just to dunk my head in. Occasionally I soak my bandana and squeeze it under my hat which provies some respite.

Within 2 hours myself and Gabe had recieved our first greeting from the resident rattlesnake population. We rounded a bend in the trail and suddenly a sound like air escaping under pressure from a pipe ensured we both came to an abrupt halt. It just sat there, coiled and ready to strike, tasting the air and shaking its tail. A few well aimed sticks failed to move it on, so we were forced around it, about 12 feet away. Twenty minutes later and another one! "Great", I thought. 2 snakes in as many hours but now I have encountered them, my phobia has, I think, been cured. They just do their own thing and will not strike unless you get too close.

We climbed slowly up to Mt Laguna at 6000 feet elevation and arrived late on Tuesday 27th. Awe inspiring panoramas all around, and this is just the first few days. There is still the occasional small patch of snow and we have been warned there is more to come. Gabe and I sat on the ground outside the local store munching on fresh fruit and began to notice the odd hiker commenting on a storm that was blowing in that night. We soon gathered that severe winds were expected, the worst being that night and then dying to 'strong' over the next couple of days. We holed up in a cabin, as did most of the others, sharing with a Mojave and Cheeks (these are trail names which all the hikers have). The cabin was lashed with wind and rain overnight and by mid day the rain had stopped but the wind persisted so me and Gabe headed off despite warnings from hikers who had returned saying the wind was too strong and we should wait.

It was strong, at times blowing so hard that we could not actually move forwards. We were joined by Ben and together struggled through somehow to the Pioneer Mail trail head. Unable to doing anything in the worsening wind and plumetting temperatures, we hastily cooked a hot meal and pitched tents, taking three of us to do this as 2 held down each others tents. Somehow, we all made it through the night, albeit it without any sleep. I have not experienced such winds ever and to be camped out as they slammed into the side of my tent and buffeted me all night was frightening. When I awoke I had to smile as I looked at Bens tent. He had obviously decided at some point in the night that his tent was not secure enough and had anchored a line to an adjacent picnic table!

Physically I'm good. The knee is solid and no problem at all. My right calf aches from time to time and I massage it each night. I have some minor blisters, nothing compared to what I experienced on El Camino a few years ago so I am happy. I tend to them each night, pierce each one with a needle, squeezing out the fluid and sterilising with alcohol. My face is a little dry, to be expected in the conditions and I smell like a skunk having taken a vacation in the local sewer.

I am now in a charming little village called Julian, having hitched a ride in from Sandra, a local lady. I am in the company of the only other English man on the trail, going by the name of the Mad Hatter. We have been fed courtesy of Buffalo Bills Burgers and I have a few bits and pieces to buy before heading back out on the trail later today. I will camp again tonight, the Mad Hatter could not resist the lure of one night in the hotel.

I have plenty of photos and video to add on the blog once I can download them somewhere. Thanks for following, stay tuned.

Having the time of my life!