An Adventureful Life

This was the day I crushed my first 20+ mile day… and the day my knee started hurting. I got up early to get away from the swarming mosquitos and decided to skip Lava Camp Lake (where I should have filled up on more water) and hit the biggest lava section of my entire hike. I joked that I was traversing Mordor… beautiful, hot, desolate… and absolutely incredible!

Once I made it across the lava landscape, I then got to hike up (and up and up) through a burn area full of wildflowers and butterflies. I heard before and after people complaining about this section – but I loved it. It was challenging, but beautiful… At one point as I climbed over a blowdown I just plopped down on the log instead of climbing all the way over and took a breather, shoved snacks in my mouth, and enjoyed the view. Once I made it beyond the lava and the incline, I finally allowed myself to break for lunch in the delicious shade.

As I neared Big Lake Youth Camp, I drank the last of my water and started speed walking down the hill the last few miles. Another lesson learned… my right knee instantly started hurting, and I would end up wearing kinesiology tape for the rest of my journey to manage the pain. Bonus, the tape gave me a sweet tan line on that knee. I strode into Big Lake Youth Camp excited to find water and my resupply box.

Big Lake Youth Camp is a great resupply spot for backpackers on the PCT. Not only do they provide free breakfast and dinner to hikers, but they also have a cabin dedicated to PCT hikers! I was able to do a quick load of laundry, shower, pick up my resupply box, and chat with thru-hikers Ditcher and Whiz. While I was going through all my supplies, more thru-hikers started meandering their way into the area and I knew there likely wasn’t much room left for me to camp for the night… so, with my fresh hiker uniform ready to go and my bag packed – I hit the trail for my first evening hike and my first 20+ mile day!

After hiking 8 more miles into the setting sun, I found a place to camp after crossing through another burn area. Breaking the barrier of evening hiking felt pretty awesome, but I was mostly filled with relief that I had found a safe spot to call home for the night beyond highways and burn areas, before it was pitch black.