Whew!

Wow, what a day.. first, last night. More cayotes celebrating a couple more times last night for much longer this time. And they always seem soo close by. Maybe they're following us ;) Could've sworn they were right amongst where the others were camped out. Which could be. The camping area was littered with holes in the ground so maybe they were hunting whatever came out of them at night.

In other weirdness, in the middle of the night something hit the side of my bivy or at least I could've sworn something did. But then it happened again! Right in the side of my leg. I woke up to it in a panic saying aloud "What the F*** was that!?" lol Felt like somebody had thrown something at me and hit me. But a look with my headlamp revealed nothing. Weeeeird.. Sure is different just sleeping in a bivy under a tarp versus a fully enclosed tent ;P feels a bit more exposed. But anyway, later that night, one of those times you just gain just enough awareness that you're awake, I thought I heard some movement and I took a look with my headlamp, and there on a log next to my camp site was the tiniest little mouse! :D Mysteries solved? A hit and run (or runover) as happens in AT shelters? Was that what the cayotes were hunting? What lived in all those hundreds of holes all over the area? Who knows. But it was enough for me to slide back into a slumber :)

Today. 24 miles. Hot. Desert. Dry. Started with a climb out of the area where had camped out. We tanked up on water trail angels had cached for hikers - not many water sources in the desert so people sometimes set out water for hikers. We were looking at potentially 14 or so miles until the next possible source and reports were that that source shouldn't be relied on, which meant 24 miles! So I carried out 6 liters (approx 12 lbs), the most water I've ever carried though it probably should've been more really.

Day started out with an ascent but it was crazy! I swear it took us something like 11-12 miles just to climb 2,000ft! Sooo un-AT! lol :D switchback after switchback endlessly! It was crazy! Definitely took us on the 'scenic route' :) But at least they were relatively easy miles and all the wrapping around curves afforded occasional shade which was nearly completely lacking the rest of the day.

Hot day though it really could be so much worse. I really can't imagine what it's like when it really gets bad. It was probably in the high 80's maybe 90's but it felt like we were baking given the terrain, complete lack of water and shade. Luckily there was the occasional slight breeze too.

Started out on my picture taking craze again - seems to happen any time the terrain or vegitation changes. But about as soon as I'd gotten my fill of getting what the new scenery had to offer I noticed that the damage had been done. Sunburn on the index finger of my camera hand to the point of blistering, another first :P

So I spent the rest of the day wrapped up from head to toe literally only leaving my eyes uncovered. Fortunately all white/light colored clothing but still somewhat warm given the conditions. Girl I've been hiking with, Rorry (sp?) short for Aurora (sp?), said I looked like some kind of comando abd said it was a good thing I already had a trail name :) btw, told the story behind the name to the group of hikers I was camping and hiking with - all seamed to get a kick out of it and like the name. ... Outhiked a couple of those guys today, retired military, one a two star general - sure hope they're ok.. Made it here with the other two, Rorry (from Government camp, OR, thru-hiking) and Todd (hiking about half, meeting up with son just before Kennedy Meadows to hike together for the second/better half of that).

Saw another horned lizard and lots of others, just flashes really.. Couple of ravens and another raptor (Vulture? Condor? Not sure) all effortlessly riding the steady winds while searching for prey I'm assuming - too cool to watch..

The frogs are loud tonight. In this wooded area next to a spring after descending back out of the mountainous desert. Already starting to see poison oak. First mosquitoes here, fortunately not too bad..

Fading again... Writing these is hard.. Beat from hiking... No way I can remember half of what I see/experience/think/feel..but hopefully you guys enjoy what little I am able to put down..

Body is painfully getting broken in.. Knees are definitely feeling the long mile days and any descents. Not used to the miles or the weight anymore. But tomorrow's a shorter day into Warner Springs where I'll then take my first zero mile (rest) day! Soooo looking forward to it and the body definitely needs it.

K, all for now! 'Night!! Only something like 500 more miles of desert to go :P ugggh ;)

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Location:Barrel Springs, mile 100ish?