Days 77-79 - Weds-Fri, August 8-10

(Dirt Diva's Report)

I've been hiking alone for the past three days. I left Erik on Tuesday. He wasn't planning on doing high mileage and I was. I saw 5 Bears in the last section. That brings my bear sighting total to 7. I have also seen 2 Bob cats, 1 Grey fox, 4 coyotes, at least 20 deers and 100's of lizards.
It has been really hot and very dry without much water. The Data Book really sucks and all of us thru-hikers agree. It lists water sources that are dry and doesn't list ones that are there. If there is water in these sections now I can guarantee it is there every year since this is a dry year with very little snow and rain.

Here I am dehydrated and not happy with the writers of the Data Book! Ahh, trail magic - a really nice trail angel left this cooler with drinks and food near a road at mile 1531.

I have seen many group hikers in the past few days. I have been going through a bad patch the last couple days since I've been by myself. My spirits were lifted when I got to Trinity parks trail head and found a note my friend Jo Lynn had left for me. She and her husband were visiting a friend in Weed and she made a point to find a PCT trail head (mile 1566) on her trip. It made my day. She ran a couple of miles on the PCT to leave her presence for me. Thanks Jo Lynn, you're the best.

I did 33 miles the past 2 days, moving fast since I just want to get to Oregon.

I'm at the Hikers Hut in Etna (mile 1606). Right when I got into Etna, I got some Raspberry sorbet . I got a ride from a really old guy in his 80's. He smoked like a chimney and I thought I was going to puke. It's an awesome small town. People are so nice and friendly. I'm the only hiker here but I just missed 6 hikers who left today. So how cute is my "town dress" in Etna!

I will head out tomorrow at 8:45 am. I will reach the Seiad Valley post office in a couple days and will camp out at the RV park there.
From there it's 66 miles to Ashland, OR. WOOHOO! I plan to hitch into Ashland to resupply at a health food store.
I can't believe how far I have come. I must be honest with all of you, this is mentally and physically the most challenging thing I have ever done. I must stay focused and positive and just live day to day.
Thanks to all of you who comment on my blog. I read your comments and they lift my spirits.
Thanks to all of you for being a big part of why I continue going forward each day.
And thanks to my personal trail angel "Fast Jerry". Without you Jerry, I wouldn't have even made it this far. I am lucky to have you as a friend and I appreciate everything you have done for me.

I got my camera cable here in my resupply box so here are a few pictures from my camera. My 19 mile slack pack trail run on the 104 degree Hat Creek rim (the hottest section along the PCT - I ran 22 miles just to get extra miles in), the incredible Burney Falls, Hikers Neptune and Ricola in Castella, and the best salad in Mt Shasta City (now you see it > now you don't... yummy!).

Well that's all for now.
Much love,
Dirt Diva