So that tune released in the year I was born, 1988, now relates to Honey Bear and I. We have walked 500 miles! As of right now we are in Tehachapi, CA resupplying our food for the next seven days to get us up to Kennedy Meadows. Kennedy Meadows is the located at 6,000 feet at the base of the Sierras. Man have I been waiting for this!!! Those big granite spires and desolate wilderness have been calling my name since the day we started.
Sometime around my birthday in the middle of June I am meeting up with Ryan to rock climb the East Face of Mt. Whitney. As a Pacific Crest Trail thru-hiker, most take the time to go the 18 miles side trip up to summit Mt. Whitney, the highest mountain in the lower 48 states. We will be going up Mt. Whitney from the west side, which I have never done before, most likely on my birthday this year! I am going to hike down the Moutaineers Route to meet Ryan at the base of the East Face and we will rock climb up and summit again the next day. From there on out the Sierras are all ours. Alpine lakes, 13,000 foot passes, unexpected weather and millions of photo opportunities arise. So much to look forward to!
Two days ago, Honey Bear and I crossed the Mojave desert and left a small, bizzare, western place called the Hikertown Hostel in the evening after dinner to beat the heat of the desert. We night hiked under the open star filled sky and the waning gibbous until about 2 am with three friends: Spud, Wooley and Darkness. Just as the sun dipped down below the horizon and we were walking ontop of the Los Angelus Aqueduct, Honey Bear and I cracked open glow sticks and each of us attached them to out trekking poles to dance around with. We had been carrying these glow sticks from Big Bear for about 250-300 miles and were excited to finally use them. Wind turbines and large gusts of wind entertained our senses in the dark as we hiked. Of course with a 18 mile stretch without water, I carried way WAY to much water. I brought 5 liters and honestly drank one... that's why I am Oasis.
This last stretch between towns has included three stops at three different Trail Angel houses. It really made this section through the desert very enjoyable. Donna Saufley opens her home near Agua Dulce to hikers and had cots, a kitchen, post office and laundry facilities all available for hikers. She even has extra clothes and bikes for hikers to use while they are doing laundry and want to ride into down for food. The Andersons are known for their party house 24 miles from the Saufleys and definitely lived up to their name. These amazing trail angels spoil us with great food, entertainment and really show us love and care like a parent while on the trail.
So here's to you mom... today Honey Bear and I were sitting in a cute diner in Tehachapi and walked in with dirt on our clothes, most likely that 'thru-hiker' stench, and our packs to enjoy a good breakfast. Of course our eyes are bigger their our stomaches while ordering and we made a small scene by unloading maps and copies amounts of random crap on the table while we were trying to get organized that we caught the attention of a woman sitting next to us with her husband. When she was about to leave, she offered us 20 dollars because she had the impression we were homeless and needed the support. Bless her soul but of course we could not take it. We explained our situation and the face that we were hiking and chosing to be 'homeless' per se. She didn't seem to understand but it made us smile, alot. Here's to what we call 'Hiker Trash'.
Moments off of trail in town are always rewarding by filling your stomach with food you've been craving, but experiences and encounters with locals are always my favorite. All is wonderful and the trail is amazing. Cannot wait for the Sierras and to get above 10,000 feet again! Love and miss you all.
With love,
Oasis
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