Melissa, the store attendant was fantasticly friendly, although she failed to mention one little thing about the campground…. Monsters lurk near.  VERY near.

After showering, laundry, swimming and all of the rough things we end up doing on the PCT, most of us cowboy camped under the stars, set dreaming about the wonder of the Saufleys just ten miles ahead.

12:10 a.m. – Something horrid startles me awake.  I wasn’t sure what, but my senses were alive as I sat up staring past the entry drive into the darkness on the other side.  The hair on my arm stood up, angry growls and gutteral rumbling.  Loud.  Close.

It was soon clear that whatever was out there wasn’t alone.

What about the couple camping over there?  What about the food that’s laying here next to me?  What about the others out here around me?  Which of these hikers will chosen as a meal to these horrific monsters?  I pulled my camera from my pack, pressed record, and waitied…. THERE !!!  I heard them again, I pressed play to make sure the sound registered on the recording, slipped on my shoes, jacket, pants, dug out my knife, and stood….  What were they growling over? Were the monsters among us?  Were they standing over the bodies of the thru hikers in that direction? Is THAT what woke me from a deep sleep?  This is horrible… But I can’t just lay here and wait to fall prey to these beasts…. I head towards the darkness…

Stirs from the sleeping bags and tents around me give me sense that everyone else was hearing this too… But here I am, going in alone… I WILL be the one to get photos, and I’m willing to go down trying … Suddenly the weight of two cameras with me from the border was worth it ! I can get photos AND video simultaniously…. TRAIN THE MONSTER SLAYER (or train, slain by monsters) either way…. All On VIDEO !

I walked to the edge of the darkness… to afraid to go further I just waited for the monsters to show themselves…. The sounds died down, no sign of fallen victims….
I walked over to the sign bathed in light – Night Registery… I’ll wait here until they show themselves… here I’ll be safe… in the light.

Quickly I was distracted by all of the posters and messages on the board… my eyes fell on a yellow paper….

“Don’t be alarmed if you hear some roaring during the night.  It’s all part of the REAL wildlife experience we want people to have here at Acton KOA.”

At this point I was MAD…. Am I understanding this correctly !? They’re piping in these horror noises?  They’re playing sounds to make us THINK we’re experiencing some sort of wildlife ?  … Snap judgement, I read on….

“And in case you want to visit these roaring lions, feel free to make an appointment at the Shimbala Wildlife Preserve located next door.”

I had to laugh…. Lions?  OK… how was I to know.  By the time I walked back to the tent area, Gourmet was out of his sleeping bag freakin’ out about what was going on in the dark beyond… I explained the situation, and laughed as the roaring began again when I slipped into my sleeping bag.  Come morning, Scalpel, a seemingly fearless individual told me he was glad to know there was a stupid white guy in the group that wouldn’t think twice about heading into the dark in search of the frightening unknown monsters … camera in hand.

As we hiked out of the canyon at 6 a.m. we were treated to roaring lions (not just ANY lions, but lions once owned by Michael Jackson, on a ranch owned by the great Tippi Hedron of the classic “the Birds” ) until we reached the ridge crest and the sun beat down to heat up our day.

This is a story I will never forget, and is FAR more fun told in person… How can we not laugh and tell the tale ? When we all fell to sleep that fateful night, we THOUGHT we were in the comfort of a comfy KOA.

Thanks Osprey, I DO love the pack.

http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/product/superlight/exos_58
My Osprey Pack, purchased at Mountain Gear in Spokane, WA is a great design.  I love so many things about it, although it’s falling apart.  The back support has fallen out 3 times now, and is NOT easy to fix.  The lower frame wears on the hip belt pockets and has worn holes in them.  The ‘cargo’ compartment that sits on top has two adjustable straps to cinch it down, one came loose and the other is on the verge of.  This all said, it’s not just my pack, it’s many Osprey packs out here that are having many of the same issues.

Osprey has an unconditional guarantee to fix or replace the pack.  I called them about a replacement at mile 210 and didn’t receive a reply until I was out of service at KickOff.  The reply (although I explained that I was a PCT thru-hiker and had limited time to work out the problem) was generic, “call and speak to anyone and we’ll help you with your problem”.  Repeated calls, repeated voice mails, no contact – On to Big Bear.  From Big Bear Lake I finally reached a person, not voice mail.  I had to purchase a new pack, they’ll refund my money when they receive the damaged one, yet I have to pay for shipping the pack back.  I don’t think this was part of my financial plan – It’s a design flaw and I don’t feel I should have to cover such costs.  If I were to be able to drive to a retailer, I would be able to swap it out for free.

Well Osprey, I’m using your pack for the inteded purpose of backpacking… I’m sorry I don’t have a vehicle at my disposal – I don’t feel the cost should be mine.  I chose my pack after seeing several other hikers use it in the ’11 season on the PCT, I’m sure word of the many faulty Osprey packs on the PCT will reach next years hikers, I wish you had a better policy.

http://www.mountaingear.com/webstore//Gear/Camping–hiking/Nomad-7M-Solar-Panel/_/R-115335P.htm
Goal Zero Nomad 7 solar panel.  I used this minimally prior to the PCT.  Several other people out here have the smaller version of the same product.  I haven’t been able to charge my phone or the attached battery pack for weeks.  I called the company today.  They’re sending a replacement, free of charge, to my next resupply point, and I just need to send the non-operational panel back to them.  This is the kind of service I want to encounter.  Fantastic, and thank you, Goal Zero for understanding the I don’t have a disposable income and my time in towns are very limited.

http://www.seatosummit.com/products/display/22
My Sea To Summit Silk sleeping bag liner works wonders (thanks Karen for the recommendation) It greatly increases the warmth of my bag.  Although after just 4 uses, a hole aprox 2 ft long appeared where the seams connect.  I called Sea To Summit from Big Bear – They’re replacing it and covering the cost to return the damaged one.  Thank you Sea To Summit for realizing what an inconvenience it can be to find a retailer.

http://www.rei.com/product/781685/la-sportiva-wildcat-trail-running-shoes-mens
I LOVE these shoes.  I was worried they’d be too light weight.  I DID go with the size larger than I normally wear to make room for foot swelling.  They’re light and airy and I’m pretty darn happy with them, as my feet stay pretty dry.  I had hoped to get a minimum of 400 miles out of them, preferably 500 (the estimate of most trail runners on the PCT.) I intended to order a pair in Wrightwood and have the new ones sent to mile 470 ish, but the day prior to Wrightwood, around mile 350 the sides started splitting on the shoes. =-(  Duct tape wouldn’t quite do what would be necessary to hold them together AND keep rocks out (with a huge climb ahead).  So I had to overnight shoes to Wrightwood.  I’m glad I had that $25 dividend to pay for shipping.  This was a difficult purchase, but hopefully my feet will be happy.

Gloria Vanderbilt
Size 12
100% Poly
Made In China
Original Weight 3 lb 8.8 oz

A Poodle Dog Bush infestation on the PCT may require me to remove the ‘uniform’ from time to time.  The PDB which usually appears in burn areas, is a skin irritant worse than Poison Oak, and has been known to cause blisters that send hikers to hospital.  If the dress made contact with the bush, which can grow as tall as I am and lean clear over the trail making it unavoidable, will remain on the dress and transfer to all that touch it.   Since this is problematic, I’ll just remove the dress as necessary when passing through burn areas.

A mile or so down the winding pavement I came to the park entrance where I stood in an open doorway for what seemed an eternity waiting to be acknowledged.  Eventually a young man made eye contact and stepped outside as I explained that I was with a group of PCT hikers, where we came to rest in the park, and asked where we needed to be to set up our tents.  Before I finished speaking I had already noticed his eyes judging my dirty crusty appearance.  “Site 13, it’s down that road there, $5 per person” he said.

As I attempted to gain some sympathy, explaining again where we were, and that after so many miles hiking, we would like to be as close to where we’d come off the trail as possible, He pulled out a map, and showed me where site 13 was… no where near our present trailside location.  Thankfully, someone in charge stepped in and asked if I was a PCT hiker, and immediately said “it’s free. You have 100′ easment on each side of the PCT which is Federal Land and thru hikers get to sleep there for free…. Do you guys know about the PCT ???”  Still, eyes watched me like I was a vagrant, and not someone who is attempting to pull off the somewhat incredible feat of walking 2600+ Miles.

I suppose my offense in all of this comes from the employees that were giving me these looks. They’re working at a State Park.  So call me stupid, but aren’t we all, the park rangers and thru-hikers, supposed to be one in our love of nature ?  Or am I ignorant in expecting that I might get some respect for what I’m doing, just as I should respect them for their position as a Park Ranger?  Whatever the answer is, something good came from this, a group of (what I assume to be) new park employees learned about the PCT and it’s role in the park that they work for.

Fast Forward… or hike slowly on… to Mc Donalds @ Cajon Pass, 13 long hot miles from that beach we were curled up on, sleeping under the stars and an amazingly bright moon.  Admittedly I was something  to stare at as I walked in the joint with my dress on, but once again (even after the dress came off) eyes followed and sneers grew across faces as our sweaty, dirty selves hobbled up to the counter to order anything other than the dehydrated packages of what was stashed away in our packs.  (Double Quarter Pounder w/Cheese, large size value meal and a large Chocolate shake for me (Ordered TWICE over 3 hrs))… Inquisitively, a man walked up to the table, explained that he was a substitute teacher who knew we were hiking a long trail, but couldn’t remember the name.  It was such a pleasure to respond The Pacific Crest Trail.  He smiled, wished us luck, and was on his way.  Once again the self pride in what I’m doing was restored.

We don’t hike the PCT for acknowledgement, we do it for all sorts of reasons.  I for one just wanted to do it, thought it would be cool.  As this project evolved, I began realizing many things about myself that I’d like to work on – there’s something interesting about knowing you’re leaving your life behind for six months and having NO idea where you’ll  end up mentally, physically, or emotionally.  As the hike grew near I was far more aware of what I hoped I might change about myself, and as I hike I grow far more aware of what’s going on in the rest of the world that I don’t care for.  But who am I? Just little ol’ me with issues.  So lets make a deal world – I won’t judge you without first inquiring within, and you don’t judge me without doing the same…

If only it were that simple.  Life is just as complicated as I am.

At Kick Off, one of the organizers approached me, shook my hand and complimented me on what I am doing.  He thought it was great even though several others said that I was just doing it to get attention. – It was difficult to accept the honor of being thanked without letting  the ‘attention’ comment get in the way.  But attention seeking I was, but only to get the money to hike the PCT… Did they ask why I was doing it? or just judge me because it’s so much easier to judge that which we don’t understand.

So as this post drags on I’m going to work something out, and work it out publicly.  Sometimes getting it out of my head is the only way to move forward.  For some time, during the planning process of my hike, a delightful friend, section hiker, and provider of trail magic shared with me information of a 2011 PCT hiker named Wired.  What gear she used, the amount of rainy days she encountered, etc.  Most often, as my faulty memory serves me, these offerings began with “Did you see on Wired’s Blog….”

I didn’t read her blog.  I think I pulled it up once.  My little world is so complicated sometimes that I dont’ have time or the power to focus on others lives.  I was too busy trying to figure out what a 6’4″ , 200 lb Man might need for the PCT, while hiking in wedding gowns, and in turn, how the hell was I gonna make that work as well? One last hike with my friend prior to the PCT was led with “Did you see Wired posted you on her blog as one to watch?”  -huh!?

So days after I began my journey, I received an email from the one, the only, Wired.

“Hi Ron,

You don’t know me, but I’m Wired from PCT Class of 2011. I know how overwhelming all this can be (since my blog was highly followed last year) so I’ll keep it short. I reluctantly listed you as one to watch this season and I’m now glad I did. I appreciate your art and what you’re trying to do, but I am always hesitant of prospective hikers who could be disingenuous and using the trail to profit. Your more recent posts are honest and sincere and show that you are not out there to just take from the trail…but to enhance it and appreciate it for the amazing journey it is. I can totally relate to how you feel and I have to commend you for your honesty. It is your hike and people will understand! Good luck!

-Wired ”

Well I just checked the clock.  I’ve hesitantly written and re-written this post, and in one hour, it will be one month since I received your email, 320 some-odd miles I’ve hiked, and one month that I’ve stewed over it, re-read it, shared it, pondered it, over-thought it, and contemplated what I would do about it…. and the answer came as I let them get to me… all of the people who judge the dirt on a thru-hiker for what it looks like instead of what it is – often something they can’t comprehend or imagine, but actually IS genuine and good and amazing, and yes, a little bit off the wall crazy.

So Wired, I thank you for your honesty, your compliments, your sincerity.  You’re a rock star amongst PCT hikers. But I’ve been here, an Email away, the entire time you felt I might be “disingenuously using the PCT for my own profit”.  I would have welcomed a simple question that might have bridged the gap between being judged, and enlightenment.  Maybe some day we can walk a trail with our mutual friend, talk about the PCT and teach each other a thing or two, and share a good laugh which is welcome in all walks of life.