I mi suppose it didn't help matters that I was following my hiker friend, Mama Goose on Facebook as she finished up some sections of the AT and PCT. After the rocks in Pennsylvania and the Whites in New Hampshire, the PCT was cake for Mama Goose.
Not or so much for me.
I started out right off the bat with a 26 mile water carry (20 excluding the fire closure I had to hitch around). Followed by a 16 mile water carry. My pack was HEAVY! I had to stop every hour on the hour for 10 to 15 minutes.
Plus, right when I started, I ran into a couple day hikers who had run out of water. ( I was able to direct them to a water cache) Afraid of running out myself, I was "conserving" water- taking small sips frequently during the day but never really drinking. Which is how on day two, when I had planned on camping at Maidu Lake, I reached the trail juncture and was simply unable to make it the .6 miles down to the lake. Shaky, dizzy, headachy and nauseous, I looked at my water and wondered why I had so much left. I set up my tent rightatthe juncture and pounded a liter of water, ate, and went to bed. (Too bad, a swim would've been really nice)
That's how it is the first week back on trail- slow, lots of rests, spending time getting used to the equipment again and waiting for the pack to settle in on your back. Painful feet, painful hips, painful back, painful neck. Hot feet. Early blisters that must be tended to as I wait for my feet to toughen up. And that weird time when I am burning so many calories but don't feel like eating- having to force myself to consume my dinners before sleep.
I never remember this part of backpacking.
That's probably because all the initial discomfort is overshadowed by the wonderful people on the trail. Like the nice couple from Pennsylvania who gave me a ride around the fire closure. And the day hikers who I hiked with once they got their water straightened out. Camping that first night with Ready Betty, Lego, and Camel Socks. Eating lunch with Snacks. Getting water with Honey and Obi Wan. And the people at the horse camp who gave me apples.
Painful arches don't seem to matter with views like Diamond Lake from above on Mt Theilson
peace, love, and trail Magic!