DAY 30 – Mile 566

long hot desert
Trying to get out of the wind
Wind machines everywhere.
endless sky

walking the aquduct
This is a very special day for me, finishing my first full month on the trail. I’m also excited because I’m just 150 miles from Kennedy Meadows which is the beginning of the Sierras. The last several days has been spent walking through forests of wind machines in the flat Mojave Desert, sometimes punctuated with steep climbs over abrupt mountain ranges. The weather has been perfect for walking across this section of the desert. Normally this is the hottest and driest section for the Southern PCT but this year has been pleasantly cool and even raining hard at times. Yesterday was so windy that I was blown off the trail several times and last night most the people along the trail crowded into a small gulch to try to escape the wind, only to have their tents blown apart in the middle of the night.

12 thoughts on “DAY 30 – Mile 566”

  1. that’s gotta be a WORLD WAR Z kinda moment -walking thru a deserted sea of wind machines ; minus the zombies of course , well … one peaceful zombie anyway …

  2. Congrats on your month finish! Yeowzie, the windmill section sounds like you needed a horse and lance. Sierras, here you come.

  3. You are doing an amazing thing Dean! I am always delighted to read your posts. Keep on trekking!

  4. Congrats on your first month! I’m happy to hear the conditions of the high dessert have been favorable this year for your hike. Thanks for sharing your experience. I look forward to them! Keep on rocking!!!!

  5. Great progress Dean! I bet your will really enjoy the JMT portion of this adventure. Thank you again for sharing it with us.

  6. Dean – Congrads on your 1 month anniversary PCTing. You are making excellent time!! Keep on trucking’
    Kurt

  7. I just went to my 45 year high school reunion. People were asking about Tom Carter. It was fun to catch up with everyone. I’m glad to see you had a chance to see Tom Mulholland. Keep up the good work on accomplishing your goal. Surfing sounds so much more enjoyable than hiking!

  8. Congrats on your month one progress. It’s been lousy weather in CO for weeks now, with constant gray, snow, rain and cold, so you’re not alone weather-wise. The lousy weather still continues, but soon I’m sure you’ll be hiking in the alpine with a constant smile. Sorry about the tragic death of the famous Yosemite base jumper Dean Potter two days ago. I bet you knew him or of him quite well. I’m glad that you moved on from that high-risk adventure to this new adventure that keeps your feet on the ground and your body strong. You’re a wise man. I’m enjoying your progress.

  9. Congratulations on your first month Dean, what a fantastic journey you are on! Enjoy the last week, or so on your way to the Sierras, the photos and stories have been a joy to follow. Your mountains await…

  10. It’s great to be able to follow your success, keep putting down the miles!

    In photos, I see at least two packs (one at the start and now maybe a ULA?). What I haven’t seen is the UD Fastpack that, from the write-up, I thought you would be using. What’s the story there?

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