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WEEK 6 ON THE TRAIL

5/26/2022

5 Comments

 
Picture
Week 6 sees me attack my calorie deficit, take a six-mile detour to avoid passionate toads, and walk in the footsteps of Captain Kirk! Getting enough calories inside me is a constant problem. As my milage increases, so my calorie consumption gets higher, but there is a limit to the amount of food I can carry.  So resupply stops in town offer the added bonus of :town food", usually not the kind of food that I would eat at home, but calorie laden and filling - what's not to like. At a resupply in the town of Soledad Canyon, I took the opportunity to top up. And I was extra hungry, after a six-mile detour, walking along a road, to avoid part of the PCT that has been designated as a protected area!  Apparently, a threatened species of toad, the Arroyo, has decided to mate along this section, and we hikers cannot be allowed to dampen their passion. I also had a very interesting hike through an area called Vasquez Rocks.  The rock formations and geology in the area make this part of the trail very popular for film locations.  Indeed, so unworldly does it look, 3 episodes of the original series of Star Trek had parts filmed here - beam me up Scotty!

Passionate Toad Detour
The road detour to avoid passionate toads.
Blow Down Picture
Blow downs sometimes don't get all the way down.
Yucca Picture
Yuccas, some in flower, some bearing fruit. The fruit is edible and tasty, something like a cross between a radish and cucumber - would go will with Hendricks gin and tonic.
Yucca Fruit Picture
Yucca Fruit
Vasquez Rocks Picture
Tourists on top of part of Vasquez Rocks
A California mountain king snake. Not venomous, but they still bite. 
Good work from the Pacific Crest Trail volunteers
Working hard on the calorie deficit.
Calorie deficit rectified!
Sightseeing Vasquez Rocks Picture
Sightseeing at Vasquez Rocks.
Vasquez Rocks - Looking for Captain Kirk!

That's all for now my friends!
5 Comments
Michael
6/8/2022 04:46:25 pm

Greetings Mr Brimmel. We met briefly in the morning at Whitewater camp. It was your birthday! I had just finished hiking in Joshua tree NP and often stop at the preserve on my way home. Somehow I noted your contact and want to wish you continued good luck on your amazing journey.
Cheers

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Brian Brimmell
6/12/2022 07:59:54 pm

Hi Michael,
I remember chatting with you as I was packing my stuff away that morning. I mentioned the web page address to you - I'm impressed you remembered it, as you didn't write it down!
I'm still going strong, in Mammoth at the moment, awaiting a storm to clear - never a dull moment.

Reply
Michael
6/13/2022 08:32:48 am

Hi Brian, As it happens my wife and I are in Mammoth too. We’re hiking around Convict lake today. Good that you avoided that horrific windstorm yesterday. Good luck on your amazing journey in our Sierra. Will look forward to your continuing adventures.
Michael

Chris Gingell
6/13/2022 06:47:51 am

Amazing progress so far, Brian. Keep going!

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Brian link
7/3/2022 08:05:30 am

Hi Chris, sorry for the late reply, I can go many days without signal. Thanks, progress is good but, as planned, we need to really push on now. I'm writing this on July 3rd, and we have to hit at least 20 mile days from now until Canada. That's not as bad as it seems, as the trail now has fewer major climbs and we sometimes hit 20 miles by 5pm. Hope you are all well.

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