Idyllwild to Big Bear

2017 PCT Journal

Apr 29

Written By Emory Wanger

“Mountains are no longer a fear, but rather an acceptable task. ”

— Emory, By Land

Devils Slide coming out of Idyllwild along the Pacific Crest Trail — Devils Slide coming out of Idyllwild

April 29, 2017

Starting a steep climb at 7000 feet with a heavy pack is tough... and humbling.

Day one of the 6-day hike was uphill and through snow that drained my energy. Not exactly how you want the first 15 miles to start out.

I can feel my body adapting more and more each day. With each new day, a new pain arrives while one disappears. I've never been so in tune with my body as I have in the past 18 days. I drink and eat when my body tells me. I hear it calling loudly.

I have found that when a difficult section is coming, I'm better off putting my head down and focusing on each step. If I look up then I am defeated mentally. It's a mind game. My body can do it, but can my mind?

Slowly I'm figuring out what food I like. Pastries in the morning are amazing. Strangely, it's not always great to have a hot meal at night. I snack all day and so far it's been working for me. I've only bonked one day so far so that's a win in my book.

By far the best evening on the trail was near White Water Reserve. We arrived at camp early and spent a good amount of time soaking in the river and throwing rocks and random objects. It was glorious.

The Pains of New Gear

My gear is holding up, but I miss my backpack home. These ultralight backpacks are painful to wear and clearly not built for carrying any sort of real loads. I've fussed with every adjustment I can, yet it still hurts.

Between hot spots on my lower back and my shoulders having to bear most of the weight because the frame sheet can't hold the weight well enough, my thoughts wander to my pack back home in my basement. I'd give anything to have that pack out here, but because of sponsorship issues, I'm left with working through the struggles of this pack. It's designed well enough but just doesn't wear well. Maybe Granite Gear works for some, but for me, it just doesn't.

All in all, I'm enjoying myself. It's fun seeing the miles pass by and accomplishing such large hurdles. Mountains are no longer a fear, but rather an acceptable task.

I now have 100 miles between Big Bear and Wrightwood. It seems like a lot, but it's simply one day at a time.

Routine is the key.

Nap time along the Pacific Crest Trail — Basically how each day ends...

Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail — Trail face is coming in nicely!

266 miles, By Land

Thanks for checking out these posts about my hike up the Pacific Crest Trail! If you have any questions for me or want to connect, you can leave a comment below or shoot me a personal message at emory@byland.co.

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