Trail And Errors

Waking early to birdsong, Molly & Ethan push on to catch up with the others; and start to hit the snow - the novelty soon wears off, but the beauty doesn't. They hear about a Mountain Lion sighting back down the trail, enjoy the birds and the Marmots, reflect on home life versus the trail, and ultimately are reunited with everyone (including SOBO; yay!) at a great campsite where they dry off by the fire. A foretaste of the challenges to come...Episode 54 of Trail & Errors.

Day 54 on trail, day 63 overall; the guys find that they've lost their match fitness, and they struggle to make the miles as they leave Kennedy Meadows and enter the Sierra. Although the going is slow, the scenery is fantastic, and the views abound as they spend the day ascending through pine forests and meadows with the mountains as a backdrop. Join Ethan & Molly as they begin the next stage of their trip; Episode 53 of Trail & Errors.

Back at Kennedy Meadows, the guys say goodbye to Gary (who has helped them out tremendously, what a great guy), and Ethan gives us an update on where they've been, what they've done, how they're preparing for the challenge of the Sierras, and what their expectations are. Listen in to get an idea of the transition from desert to mountain in Episode 52 of Trail & Errors... :)

An early start in the cold sees the guys begin their longest day yet in an effort to reach Kennedy Meadows before a forecast snowstorm. They are aided by some surprise Trail Magic (thanks Jim!) where Molly enjoys Chilli for breakfast. After a long climb, her and Ethan have lunch high on the ridge, then Ethan pushes on alone to try to organise a lift from the trail to their destination at Grumpy Bear's Retreat. He misses the trail and walks an extra 2 miles to the General Store, but everything works out and they meet up at the planned location eventually, where they enjoy beers & burgers, and congratulate themselves on walking 700 miles through Southern California. The desert section is done, well done Molly & Ethan! Episode 51 of Trail & Errors :)

Woken up by their fellows moving by (and a passing deer), Molly & Ethan spend the day trying to catch up with their trail crew. Extraordinary weather as they round Owen's Peak; low cloud and threatening rain comes and goes with massive views down the valley in the sunshine suddenly obscured by fog and rolling cloud. The photos from today are worth a look; the trees having a coating of hoar frost which flutters down in the wind creating an otherworldly atmosphere to the day. Eventually the crew reunite at camp, thinking about tomorrow and their last day in the 'desert'. Episode 50 of Trail & Errors.

Waking up to the expected rain, team EthaMol are pleased to have decided to head into Ridgecrest for food and supplies. SOBO joins them, as Molly & Ethan have their first visit to a Walmart, where they all meet Gary; a super-nice guy who offers to give them a lift back to the trail later (& will feature again on day 62). With ice-cream for breakfast, all-you-can-eat Chinese for lunch, wi-fi at McDonalds, the guys are pretty bloated by the time Gary takes them back to Walker Pass and joins them for some wine and birthday cake for Prof. The wind is brutal, and ignoring the gods of the coin-toss that makes the others decide to stay put; Molly & Ethan strike out to make some distance before bedtime. They make it 0.3 miles before deciding to camp; that's dedication to the trail! Episode 49 of Trail & Errors :)

After a good night's sleep under a Joshua tree, the team start out with a 1500ft climb in the heat. With reports of rain on the way, they hurry towards Walker Pass, and are rewarded with their first glimpses of the Sierras ahead...wow! With Ethan keeping an eager eye out for bears, they descend towards their camp spot, deciding to hitch into Ridgecrest tomorrow to celebrate Prof's birthday and enjoy Walmart followed by a bottomless Chinese buffet. Enjoy the chaos of dinnertime with the crew, as they discuss the random trail thoughts that occur whilst hiking all day, the relative merits of different hot sauces, and the depiction of trail food as art. Episode 48 of Trail & Errors :)

Leaving the picturesque Lander's Camp, Ethan's hopes for a day of shady forest walking are immediately dashed as they move into exposed scrubby hillsides in the blazing sun. A long day of dry walking is tough going, but spirits (and the views) are good, and they eventually cowboy camp at the well-maintained water cache at Bird Spring Pass. Thanks Trail Angels! Episode 47 of Trail & Errors... :)

Another day with long dry stretches, Ethan marvels at the ever-changing scenery; pink thistles dot the landscape as they move in and out of verdant forests with a soundtrack of birdsong and enter flowered meadows with grand vistas. They certainly feel like they've moved into bear country, and they discuss they looming challenge of the snowy Sierras (along with the merits of different types of burrito!). Professor slips into a cow turd; providing a dose of hilarity, and Panda (!) re-appears after taking some time off trail. Get a taste of their adventure in Episode 46 of Trail & Errors :) 

Despite the downpour from yesterday water is on short supply, and the guys are forced to start the day with a dry breakfast. It is hot, the climbs are steep, and morale is low; but some killer country music supply by the Funkmeister keeps them going for a long day. Ethan finds his first scorpion, backs are sweaty in the heat, water is running low, and decisions are made on the result of a coin-toss; be part of the Trail & Errors in Episode 45.

Reflecting on a great couple of days in the fab location of Tehachapi, EthaMol and their 'tramily'' head up the trail, bumping into Co-op 'slack-packing' between the two highways that lead back to town. Descending to the second highway after 8 miles, the heavens open (this is southern California!!!) and Ethan finds himself in a precarious situation between forgotten poles and flash floods, whilst the rest of the team dodge marble sized hailstones and unsuccessfully try to stay dry. Ironically this section of the trail is lacking in water sources, and with provisions running low they camp halfway up a steep climb ready to make an early start tomorrow. Episode 44 of Trail & Errors.

Covering Days 44 & 45, the team awake behind the Red House BBQ before moving to the more salubrious surroundings of the plush Best Western in Tehachapi. Their 'Double Zero' here encompasses a Farmer's Market, a miniature horse, a hot tub, a swimming pool, multiple visits to the 'Thai Hatchapi', a horseshoe competition with Fake News, a herd of Elk, a nodding (full sized) horse, prime rib from Prometheus, and incredibly generous trail angel hosts Kathy & Scott; this is what America is really like, AWESOME! Episode 43 of Trail & Errors :) 

They guys know it's going to be a hot one as they struggle with the heat and realise it's only 9.30am! With the prospect of another day of dry hiking, they load up with water and head straight uphill for 4 miles. Happily the howling winds had died overnight, but the rationing of water put a damper on spirits, until a surprise water cache at the top of the hill - thank you trail angels! Downhill from the summit to the road, the team dream of BBQ ribs and beer; they are rewarded with a quick hitch into Tehachapi and a ride to the Red House BBQ where they pitch their tents in the yard and head inside to load up. Join their 'tramily' as they fall asleep to the sound of passing trains in Episode 42 of Trail & Errors.

After a surprisingly well rested sleep at Wee Vill Market, the guys spend the day hanging out and eating before moving on to spend the next night at nearby Hikertown; a slightly weird experience... Encompassing two days, Episode 41 sees them then wake up early the following morning to begin the long LA Aquaduct section.  Renown as the hottest section of the trail, EthaMol tackle it on an unusually benign day, the main issue being the wind which increases to dramatic levels in the afternoon. Live the experience with Molly & Ethan; Episode 41 of Trail & Errors. :)

Waking up to birdsong, EthaMol and their 'tramily' target Hikertown and the nearby Wee Vill market in 20 miles for their next stop; and heads down they push through the miles as the mountain landscape descends towards the flat desert plain. With massive views out across the Mojave, they move through long grasses and ranch-lands down to the highway, carefully planning the type of burgers they will eat tonight. A kind lift down the highway brings them to Wee Vill market, where they enjoy some food and a beer, before bedding down to the sound of passing trucks! Enjoy their experience in Episode 40 of Trail & Errors.

Leaving Casa de Luna, the guys head uphill in the heat. Trying to avoid any poison oak, they reflect on yesterday's fun, and look ahead to the forthcoming sections. Surprised once again by the vegetation, they can see the flat Mojave desert in front of them yet enter a shady forested area. Exploring caves and ending with a donated beer round a campfire, listen in to Episode 39 of Trail & Errors.

What do you do during a Zero day at Casa de Luna? Organise the inaugural Hiker Trash Decathlon of course! In a break from the norm, listen in as the Potato Brothers (Mashed & Sweet) and their on-course assistant, Bomber, commentate on the proceedings. Let chaos reign! (Ed; normal podcast service will be resumed in the next episode...)

Molly & Ethan travel the final 12 miles through clouds of butterflies to the aptly named town of Green Valley and the wonderful 'Casa de Luna'.  Hear about this short section of trail and discover the story of how Joe & Terrie Anderson came to share their home with thousands of smelly hikers every year. Many thanks to them and all other trail angels who make hiking the PCT such a rich and interesting experience. :) https://www.facebook.com/casadelunapct/

Zero by name, zero by nature; Molly & Ethan wake up with the chickens at Hiker Heaven and have lazy day watching the resident Great Horned Owls fledge their young.  Taking in Days 35 & 36, they discuss resupply options, opt-in to a forthcoming side trip to Zion National Park, get some tattoos, bump into an old friend, and struggle to leave town without somehow filling their bellies.  They head a dozen miles up the wooded trail to Bouquet Canyon, dodging poison oak and marvelling at the abundant butterflies.  Get a feeling of what it's like to be a PCT hiker in episode 36 of Trail & Errors. :)

EthaMol wake up in the rain, quite literally, and hike the last few miles into Agua Dulce and Hiker Heaven.  Crossing the LA commuter train track and passing the famous Vasquez Rocks, they move through prairie lands reminiscent of old Western movies before hitting the tiny cowboy town. Hear about their journey, and join them as they reach the friendly hospitality of Hiker Heaven in Episode 35 of Trail & Errors.