May 31, 2018 Of Scurvy, Snow-melt and Windmills to Conquer

Mission is playing the role of Don Quixote today, only he knows better than to joust with modern day windmills.  You must simply hike quickly and stealthily past them!  There are several wind farms in the Tehachapi area that the PCT meanders through.  Here are some google map photos of Mission’s GPS position this morning.

Granny Hat enjoyed a long cell phone chat with Mission yesterday afternoon while he hiked along, and sometimes on top of, the California Aqueduct.  He said the weather had been kinder than usual for this time of year in the Antelope Valley and that it was in the 70’s allowing him to hike during the day.  There are limited water sources in this stretch of the PCT.  He said that he and his dad had to filter water from a cistern that was full of pine needles up in the foothills as they left the Los Angeles range.  Even after filtering, the water had an Earl Grey look and a brackish taste.  He said he actually hopes the weather warms up quickly because he is counting on snow melt before he approaches the high peaks of the John Muir Trail.  He will be adding warmer gear, an ice axe, crampons for snow hiking, a heavier jacket, bear can and a larger pack to accommodate more food for longer treks between re-supply stations.

Years ago, Granny Hat would drive miles up to Florence Lake or around the southern end of the Sierras to Whitney Portal or up to Yosemite Valley to pick up her backpack crew.  She always had oranges and other fresh fruit in the car because the hikers were sure they were coming down with scurvy after many days in the wilderness with no fresh fruit and vegetables.  They craved berries, oranges and fresh melons.  Thanks to family trail angels, Mission has had some fresh fruit and veggies here and there on the trail.  Cousins Ryan and Abigail met him in the Antelope Valley with watermelon and other delicacies to counteract the pine tea out of the cistern and the days of dehydrated Pad Thai and Mexican Bean Stew.

And then Granny Hat has to give a shout out to her friend Cheryl Wenzlick who introduced her to Juice Plus.  This amazing system provides the best quality greens and fruit dietary support for everyone but especially vital for Mission who is hiking a marathon every day and eating backpacking food.  Juice Plus has a special program for students, giving them affordable opportunity to get started with this healthy, sustainable energy source.  Mission began using these supplements a month or more before he commenced his trek and continues with the daily capsules.  Keeping scurvy at bay!!! http://www.wenslik.juiceplus.com

This PCT journey has been Mission’s dream for several years.  Granny Hat is enjoying following his progress even though she does worry about every little thing.  He assured me that Hiker Town was “chill”, nothing overly sketchy going down.  But he said that the differences between Hiker Heaven and Hiker Town are made obvious by their names.  Hiker Heaven was truly a hiker’s paradise with everything they could need for re-supply and comfort.  Hiker Town was more of a utility compound, a collection of old movie backdrop buildings in the middle of the desert.

Mission has learned how to manage his feet, keeping them healthy and rested.  He has met many interesting people, says nearly 50% are from Europe and then many from the East Coast as well.  One Swiss hiker was explaining to a group at Hiker Town why it would be better to re-supply in Tehachapi instead of in the town of Mojave.  He said he had heard Mojave was just a “drug-sale town”.  Mission welcomed him to California!  Isn’t every town a “drug-sale town”?  The Swiss man seemed shocked which surprised Granny Hat.  She has heard all about Europe!

“To dream the impossible dream, to fight the unbeatable foe, to bear with unbearable sorrow, to run where the brave dare not go…..

This is my quest to follow that star, no matter how hopeless, no matter how far….”

Man of La Mancha