Looking Around for Memories

There is quite a bit of nostalgia going on with this hike for me. It's been a mind trip to re-hike this 14 years after my first go at it. It's pretty unbelievable just how little of the trail I seem to remember, and then I will turn a corner just when a crazy memory from 2012 blindsides me in the face. It has been wild comparing my progress in 2012, when I was 28 years young, and oh so green to the long-distace hiking world, to the 42 year hiking today, with about 8500 miles under me now. I still have to remind myself that I know what I am doing, I've dealt with all these thoughts and aches and pains before, and way too often to not give myself a little bit of credit and trust in my processes. Constantly, I worry about this being the day it all starts falling apart. But mostly, and hopefully that day never comes. I just keep grinding like I always have. Soon, the stamina and strength will catch back up, I won't be just getting 'back' into shape, but solidly fit like I should already be in life, and not only while hiking a long-distance trail. The aches and pains are always gonna be there, as I am putting my body through hell, but it also feels good. It feels much better than being fat and lazy and nearly irreversibly so, if I didn't get out and something like this to snap me out of unhealthy habits.

All that being said, it is real that I do feel stronger at this point than the first time around. I may be older, grumpier, slower to recover, but that's all just a part of getting older. Mentally I am stronger, and the things I have learned about myself, my body, my hiking style, since setting out in 2012, have given me the confidence to know I still have it in me to pull off larger than normal goals, mentally and physically. 

Blah blah blah. Now I am just rambling.

Anyways, after 150 miles, and 8 days of hiking I am currently taking the day off in Idyllwild, a mountain town up near Mt San Jacinto, in the pines above Palm Springs. It's been a fantastic stay, hosted by a fantastic trail angel who lives here in town and goes by the name Queen Bee. She has opened her spare cottage to me to get out of some weather for the day and to relax and recover. 

HIGHLIGHTS SO FAR:

#4

• IT HAS BEEN SOOOO COOL. Temperatures couldn't be more kind to me so far. Sure there have been some warmer moments, exposed, where you could still get into serious trouble if not managing water and electrolyte intake correctly. But generally it has been pretty pleasant, and quite cool in tne mornings. I am usually up and on the move walking  everyday by 6am. I like to try and get quality miles in the early hours while it is cool. I start REALLY slow for an half hour to hour, then sorta find a groove. Try to get 10 miles in by 11,  and then break accordingly in the afternoon to try to give more time for afternoon breaks without feeling like I need to keep grinding miles. The cool temps have allowed me to already push a little more mileage per day than I expected this soon in. I am finding my sweet spot right now is right at 20 miles a day. Super happy with that just at a week in. I truly believe that my body can hold up to that without too much threat of overuse injury. As I feel stronger, I hope to get that sweet spot a little closer to the 23-25 mpd range.

HIGHLIGHT #3

• Hiking 20 miles from Mt Laguna along the Sunrise Highway, down to where the PCT crosses the San Diego Trans County Trail. A route dear to my heart that I have made many lifetime friends while hiking on over the years. It's 160 mile route that I have accumulated over 500 miles of hiking on over the years. So that was special camping at a spot that I have some very fond memories of hikes in the past with some amazing folks. It was a cool day, and one of those days where the views just make you never wanna stop, just wanna see more and more.

HIGHLIGHT #2

• Hiking from Scissors Crossing, mile 77, to Paradise Valley, mile 152, in 3.5 days. In 2012, with a trip at mile 100 back to ADZPCTKO for 3 days (hiker party), it took me about 8.5 days to do that same section, and I was HURTING walking into Paradise Valley Cafe. This time, I felt like I am only getting stronger by the day. Excited about, not just dreading the "harder" parts up ahead, hoping to be stronger than last time. The hike into Warner Springs, mile 110, was next level for me this time. I was out of camp early and felt like I had the whole trail to myself, and got to spend time at sacred Eagle Rock alone without others bopping around and in every picture. It was a beautiful morning.

#1 HIGHLIGHT ☆☆☆

 • Alll the love and support from those of you following along and sending words of encouragement and your own hard earned dollars my way as a way of helping and being part of this. I am not lying when I say I cry literal happy tears daily out here, when I get service, and a new group of messages, Dm's, comments pop up and it humbles me to know how many rad and amazing, high-quality humans I have been able to surround myself with in this lifetime. From family, to friends, to hikers and adventurer friends I have made around the world, I am so thankful for you. It means so much to me to feel the love I seemed to have lost track of along the way. Thank you all for being there, or here, with me. I certainly wasn't expecting this element during the planning process of this long ass section hike I am on.

So much Love! 

• Kristo

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