Good morning, this is Joy. I’d thought I’d give you an update, on what I know. Ron and Kendra made it to Kennedy Meadows on Wednesday afternoon. While they were in the outfitter store, they could use their wifi and the few messages I received from Ron was it was a hectic zoo there and they were going to get done with what they needed and get the heck out of there. So, not sure what it was like, because that is not a normal comment from Ron, lol. KM is right on the PCT trail, and literally has an outfitter and a restaurant and they allow you to camp there. There is an outdoor shower available and a laundry available. Some hikers stay there a few days to recover from desert and prep for the Sierra. Ron said he didn’t see the attraction there! Maybe they didn’t have cold beer!!
Anyway, Ron did receive his new shoes that I had sent (the outfitter didn’t carry the brand that he likes). Kendra bought a new pair of shoes. After 700 miles, there shoes had no treads and they said they could feel every rock on their soles. They probably needed a new pair about 100 miles ago. We’ll plan better in the future. They were talked out of getting warmer clothes by an expert at the outfitters. They did buy warm gloves and Ron got a warmer beanie, but that was it. It saved me some $ (lol), but hope that was the right decision. Being cold is miserable!!
They also picked up a package that I had sent — it just contained their microspikes. And it appears they will need these soon. I follow someone on Youtube that is about 5 days ahead of them, at mile 775-800, and they were in the snow and used their microspikes. No ice axes are need now, which is good. They could be a lifesaver IF you know what to use them. Ron and Kendra were going to have to get a crash course if they needed to pick one of them up!
The hikers picked up their bear canisters at the outfitters. The plan was to buy them and send them home when they are done, which will be in about 300 miles. But from receipts that I get to my email, it appears that they rented them. Again, not actually speaking to Ron, I don’t know what changed. Maybe the outfitter only had enough to rent — don’t know. I know there was a concern that Kendra would need a new and larger backpack to accommodate the bear canister, but they opted to buy some straps and attach it to the top of her backpack. Not sure how comfortable that will be for her, but she said it’s only 300 miles and she’ll deal with it. One of the problems with getting a new backpack was she really likes her backpack and didn’t want to change. When you change things up during her hike, you also risk injury and blisters. Another drawback of a new pack was she would have to LEAVE her existing backpack there, as there was no mailing packages options available. She didn’t want to do that either. So, she and Ron will get through the next 300 miles and turn in their bear canisters at the Kennedy Meadows North drop-off.
Even though they didn’t get back on the trail on Thursday until about 11:30am their time, they still were able to get in about 13 miles (my estimate). Their landscaping is going to quickly change — snow, but not too deep and lot of water. On the Youtube video of the hikers that I mentioned about, 5 days ahead of them, they showed beautiful landscaping and waterfalls and creeks. So, I’m sure it will be a nice change of scenery for Ron and Kendra. And the water sources will lighten Ron and Kendra’s load — which they were both looking forward to very much!
The Sierra also starts the area where they will not have cell service until they hit towns, so the hikers will be silent for a while. The Garmin will still send me their locations and they can use the Garmin to send texts, but it’s very cumbersome. So, I don’t expect to receive many texts from them. I did let Kendra’s boyfriend Cody know this too so he doesn’t worry or wonder why he’s not receiving any from Kendra. He said he was also warned by Kendra.
That’s all for now — Happy Friday everyone!!
Oh, one more thing. With them being at mile marker 715, they have completed 1/4 of the PCT. (actually passed it at mile marker 662, as total trail is 2650 miles.) So, the hikers are moving along nicely!
Thanks for the update Joy, great accomplishment to get to Kennedy Meadows in such good shape. Love reading the adventures and catching the pictures. Walk on friends!
Hi Spiderman – Bucket here – thank you once again for following along. You would love it out here! The desert sections were beautiful, but the Sierras have been absolutely spectacular! And we’ve just gotten started in them. It’s a lot of work, but very much worth the effort!