Author: Charles Stump

Day 95 – Mile 1317.3 to Hwy 36 and Chester
Monday, July 27. Mid-50s and sunny going up to mid-70s.

Up at 5:30. On trail at 6:20. My goal is to get a lot of this climb done before it gets hot as there is no water for 12.2 miles.

Said hi to Emmett on the way out. Had not seen him since before Yosemite. He and Bobbie hiked out just ahead of me.

Back in the burn area again by 7:15.

Day 95 Burn Area

Day 95 Burn Area

Day 95 Burn Area

Finished my 6-mile climb at 9:05. Only used half a liter. That leaves me a little less than 2 liters to get to the next water in 6.5 miles. And it’s all downhill. No problem!

Woo hoo! I reached the PCT midpoint at 10:00. I can’t believe I finally made it. Only took me 95 days! I can’t take that long to do the second half. Chatted with Lipstick from Russia for a bit.

Day 95 PCT Halfway

Day 95 PCT Halfway

Day 95 PCT Midpoint

Got to water at 12:40. The last 2.5 hours have been tough. Overgrowth up to my chin at times and blowdowns hidden in the overgrowth! Here is what the trail looks like. I lost the trail many times this afternoon.

Day 95 Trail

I have 3.3 miles to Hwy 36. Quick lunch of Fritos, then back on trail at 1:00. Hoping for an easy hitch into town around 3:00.

Last 2 miles were desolate burn and tree recovery area.

Day 95 Burn Area and Tree Recovery Area

YouTube Video Day 95

Hitched into town at 2:50 with an English female who I have met several times but whose name escapes me. Had to wait about 30 minutes. Left 2 behind. Lipstick and a guy I recognized from Quincy.

Picked up some beverages and snacks at the grocery store. I’ll do real shopping tomorrow. It’s a 5-minute walk to my hotel. I can check in at 4:00. Lipstick arrived at the grocery store Starbucks while I was killing time. Hung out in the grocery store Starbucks with Trapper, Dirt Nap, and Lipstick until 4:00. We all look like dirty, bedraggled, homeless people after 4 days in the burn area.

Maui showed up, and we chatted along with Dirt Nap. Maui skipped the last 4 days of the trail. The consensus is about 75% of hikers skipped this last section because of the blowdowns and overgrowth.

Day95 Looking Homeless at Starbucks

Walked to the Lake Almanor Lodge a bit after 4:00. Nice little place with a separate full kitchen.

Day 95 Lake Almanor Lodge

Peeled off my insanely dirty clothes and showered. I think this is the dirtiest I’ve ever been on any trail. The black dust from the burnt area is everywhere! You get it crawling over downed burned trees and just walking. It’s so dry that in many places the dust is 1/4 of an inch thick on the trail and mixed with the burnt ash into a black talc-like powder.

Day95 Looking Dirty

Day95 Looking Dirty

Talked to Pitcrew for a while, then walked to Bing’s Bistro for dinner at 6:00. Only two short blocks, and I checked out the laundromat for tomorrow on the way. It looks clean and convenient.

My feet hurt. New shoes needed I suppose. And my Achilles is being very problematic. I’m am starting to think that I need to get a professional to look at the Achilles. Ugh.

Day 95 Map – Mile 1317.3 to Hwy 36 and Chester

Technical Notes:
- Protein Shake (10oz): 330 cal, 19g carb, 13.5g fat, 36g protein
- Banana Chips (18p, 30g): 150 kcal, 20g carb, 8g fat, 1g protein
- Banana Chips (18p, 30g): 150 kcal, 20g carb, 8g fat, 1g protein
- Mango (3-4p, 30g): 100 kcal, 25g carb, 0g fat, 0g protein per
- Mango (3-4p, 30g): 100 kcal, 25g carb, 0g fat, 0g protein per
- Fritos 300
- Dr Pepper
- Large latte
- Chicken Fried Steak
- Six wings
- More town food
- Water liters: 2
- Miles: 15.9
- Time: 8:05
- Up: 2290
- Down: 3432
- Calories consumed: 5000
- Calories burned: 2286
- iPhone battery used: 30%
Day 94 – Mile 1299.7 to Mile 1317.3
Sunday, July 26. Mid-50s and sunny going up to mid-70s.

Up at 6:30. I want to do big miles today so that I can get into Chester at a reasonable time (5:00) on Monday evening. I have no idea how much the blowdowns and overgrowth will slow me down. Fingers crossed. On trail at 7:55.

Crossed the 1300-mile mark.

Reached the summit finally at 9:05. Everything for many miles is burned.

Way in the distance, about a week or more hiking, is Mount Shasta

Thousands and thousands of orange butterflies for miles.

Stopped at Cold Spring for water at 11:45 and 7.7 miles. Last water for 8 miles.

Miles and miles and hours and hours of burn zone.

Mother nature is making a comeback.

Looking 15 miles to Chester and Lake Almanor. Unfortunately, it will take me 1.7 days and a hitch to get there.

Ran into Yelnats in the afternoon. We chatted for a few minutes before he moved on.

Made camp at 6:15. Wanted to go further, but there is no water for 12 miles. Bobbie and 3 others camped here too.

YouTube Video of Day 94

Long day, but I hoped for longer. The next water is dry, making for an annoying big water carry. I want to take 3-4 liters.

I booked a second night in Chester. I want a zero, and I have to resupply, get a package from the post office, and do laundry. Sounds like a full day to me.

I am the most dirty I have ever been. Four days in a burn zone, and everything is black from burnt logs. Me and my clothes!

Also, I have two holes in my CNOC. I’ll figure out a replacement tomorrow in town. I doubt I can buy one in Chester.

Technical Notes:
- Protein Shake (10oz): 330 cal, 19g carb, 13.5g fat, 36g protein
- Banana Chips (18p, 30g): 150 kcal, 20g carb, 8g fat, 1g protein
- Banana Chips (18p, 30g): 150 kcal, 20g carb, 8g fat, 1g protein
- Mango (3-4p, 30g): 100 kcal, 25g carb, 0g fat, 0g protein per
- Mango (3-4p, 30g): 100 kcal, 25g carb, 0g fat, 0g protein per
- Fritos 300
- Quest bar: 200 cal, 20g protein
- Salami: 300
- Cheap Ramen: 370 kcal, 54g carb, 14g fat, 8g protein
- Cheap Ramen: 370 kcal, 54g carb, 14g fat, 8g protein
- Tuna: 90 kcal, 4-7g carb, 1g fat, 14-16g protein
- Fritos: 400
- Skittles 250
- Water liters: 5
- Miles: 19.1
- Time: 10:11
- Up: 3455
- Down: 3251
- Calories consumed: 3010
- Calories burned: 2979
- iPhone battery used: 35%
Day 93 – Mile 1284.1 to Mile 1299.7
Saturday, July 25. Low-50s and sunny going up to upper 80s.

Up at 6:00. Very pretty sunrise. I’ll eat breakfast at Caribou Crossing. Packed up and on trail at 6:40.

Quite a descent with tons of switchbacks and burnt, difficult blowdowns. Departed the Bucks Lake Wilderness near the end of the descent before crossing the railroad tracks.

Day 93 Roadblock

Day 93 Exiting Bucks Lake Wilderness

Day 93 Railroad Crossing Into Beldin

Arrived at Beldin at 8:35 and 4.6 miles. Bedazzled was there. Very dumpy, sketchy place. Campground and motel/bar/restaurant.

Day 93 Beldin Lodge

Day 93 Leaving Beldin

I left Beldin and headed 1.6 miles down the road to Caribou Crossroads. Arrived at Caribou at 9:15 after a road walk on CA Route 70.

Day 93 Leaving Beldin

Day 93 Road Walk To Caribou Crossroads

Had a nice breakfast at Caribou, enjoyed a famous milkshake that lived up to the reputation, and used their WiFi to pay monthly bills and talk to Pitcrew.

Day 93 Caribou Crossroads

Picked up a new fuel can and got a hitch back to trail at 11:00. Saved me a hot road walk with no shoulder. On trail and headed UP at 11:15. I have 11 to 13 miles depending on how I feel.

Day 93 Reentering Dixie Fire Area

It is hot down here in the valley and I gotta climb past there by the end of today.

Day 93 I Gotta Go There

Crossed paths with Brad. He’s hiking South from Chester to Caribou Crossroads while waiting on a package to arrive.

Day 93 Brad and I Crossed Paths

Entered Lassen National Forest at 2:15.

This trail is starting to suck. Blowdowns, overgrown trail, lost trail at least 12 times. Plus it’s damn steep for many miles. Did I mention that a lot of the overgrown area is thorny?

Day 93 Where is the Trail

Day 93 Blowdowns

Day 93 Burn

Day 93 Burn

Major milestone! Crossed from the Sierra Mountains into the Cascade Mountains.

Day 93 Crossed From Sierras to Cascades

Day 93 Crossed From Sierras to Cascades

YouTube Video of Day 93

Made camp at 7:30 and hiked 16 miles. Damn hard day. The trail has not had much maintenance, and the burnt blowdowns from the Dixie Fire are getting worse. I lost the trail a lot due to overgrowth in the late afternoon. And this section is super steep. The blowdowns and overgrowth get worse for the next two days until I reach Rt 36 and Chester, CA.

Odd…a couple hiked by my tent headed north at 11:00 pm. I just can’t imagine/understand that in general yet alone with this overgrown trail.

I realized something this evening. I’m now in the mindset that this is a job. I don’t look forward to hiking, and I don’t not look forward to it. I just know that I have to get up, hike as far as I can, make camp, eat dinner, write my blog, sleep, and repeat until I get to the next town or lodge. Then do that entire process over again until I break myself or reach Canada.

I have been hiking alone since Yosemite on Day 70 and mile 961. Now it’s day 93 and mile 1299.7. No complaints. I don’t see myself hiking with anyone the rest of the way to Canada.

Day 93 Map – Mile 1284.1 to Mile 1299.7

Technical Notes:
- Banana Chips (18p, 30g): 150 kcal, 20g carb, 8g fat, 1g protein
- French toast x 3 450
- Eggs x 2. 200
- Sausage links x 3 200
- Coffee
- Blackberry milkshake 600
- Mango (3-4p, 30g): 100 kcal, 25g carb, 0g fat, 0g protein per
- Mango (3-4p, 30g): 100 kcal, 25g carb, 0g fat, 0g protein per
- Quest bar 200 calories, 20g protein
- Salami: 300
- Cheap Ramen: 370 kcal, 54g carb, 14g fat, 8g protein
- Cheap Ramen: 370 kcal, 54g carb, 14g fat, 8g protein
- Tuna: 90 kcal, 4-7g carb, 1g fat, 14-16g protein
- Fritos: 400
- Skittles 250
- Water liters: 6
- Miles: 20
- Time: 12:46
- Up: 4701
- Down: 3852
- Calories consumed: 3689
- Calories burned: 3625
- iPhone battery used: 40%
Day 92 – Mile 1269.6 Quincy to Mile 1284.1
Friday, July 24. Low-60s and sunny going up to upper 80s.

Up at 8:00. Lazy morning. Checked out at 9:00 and walked to Thunder Cafe for a big, wonderful breakfast. I’m planning on 14 miles today to give me an easy morning into Caribou Crossroads / Belden tomorrow morning. My ride will pick me up about 11:00 at Safeway after he finishes grocery shopping.

Bobbie (Infinity) stopped into the cafe and had breakfast with me. She is spending the night in town. She will pass me in 2-3 days at the speed she is hiking.

My trail angel picked me up outside the cafe at 10:20. He is vacationing at Bucks Lake with his family and was in town to grocery shop. On trail at 10:45.

Day 92 Trailhead

Day 92 Into the Wilderness

It’s hot out here! Wasn’t I complaining about the cold about 3 weeks ago?

Day 92 Ascent

Finally reached the top of my 5-mile ascent. Not terrible. Haven’t seen or heard another soul out here today. Good ATT service at this summit. I’m looking east back towards Quincy. Gotta be a cell tower on a mountain below me between here and Quincy.

I ordered new shoes and had them shipped to a trail angel in Dunsmuir. I’ll pick them up around August 7.

Starting to see the damage from the Dixie Fire. It burned just under one million acres in 2021. I’ll be dealing with the aftermath for many days on and off.

Day 92 Dixie Fire Burn Area

Day 92 Dixie Fire Burn Area

Day 92 Dixie Fire Burn Area

Zero blowdowns from mile 1269 (Bucks Lake Rd) to mile 1275. 87 blowdowns from 1275 to 1281. Only 3 of the 87 couldn’t be stepped over or had alternate paths. No blowdowns from 1281 to 1284.

Reached my camp spot at 6:30. I could go 4.5 more miles very down to Beldin, but the store/bar closed at 8:00. And people say the train noise is very bad down there in the valley at night. I got a beautiful peaceful spot up here 4000 feet above the river and town. I’ll head down early so I can get breakfast at 9:00 when the Caribou Crossing store opens.

YouTube Video of Day 92

Decent short day. Happy with my camp spot. Very amazing sunset and quite peaceful up here. The blowdowns were not nearly as bad as the fear mongers made them out to be. Not looking forward to the 5347 foot climb out of the Feather River gorge tomorrow:(

Day 92 Sunset With Trekking Pole

Day 92 Map – Mile 1269.6 Quincy to Mile 1284.1

Technical Notes:
- Skillet breakfast 800
- OJ 350
- Mango (3-4p, 30g): 100 kcal, 25g carb, 0g fat, 0g protein per
- Mango (3-4p, 30g): 100 kcal, 25g carb, 0g fat, 0g protein per
- Quest bar 200 calories, 20g protein
- Salami: 300
- Cup noodles protein (8 oz water): 320 Kcal, 38g carb, 12g fat, 16g protein
- Cup noodles protein (8 oz water): 320 Kcal, 38g carb, 12g fat, 16g protein
- Tuna: 90 kcal, 4-7g carb, 1g fat, 14-16g protein
- Chips: 360
- Skittles 250
- Fritos 500
- Water liters: 3
- Miles: 14.7
- Time: 8:00
- Up: 2454
- Down: 2825
- Calories consumed: 3690
- Calories burned: 2500
- iPhone battery used: 45%
Day 91 – Zero in Quincy

Thursday, July 23. Low-60s and sunny going up to upper 80s.

Walked to the good breakfast restaurant after checking out only to find they are not open today. Ugh. Grabbed coffee at a nice quiet coffee shop instead.

Tried to pick up my package at the post office, but it hadn’t arrived. I arranged to have it bounced north about 6 days to the post office in Old Station. Fingers crossed that works out. It’s just food, but I hate to waste it.

Hung out at The Hub. It’s the chamber of commerce building but they also have a hiker lounge. Very nice. Worked on route planning.

Had lunch with Brad. He is in town to catch a bus north to Chester and then hike 3 days south to Beldon while he waits for an overdue package to arrive in Beldon.

Worked on more route planning until 4:00. Walked to the Gold Pan Motel and checked in. FaceTimed with Pitcrew. Got dinner at a pizza restaurant on the other end of town. Took care of some bills and home administration stuff.

Watched YouTube videos of other 2026 hikers to get a better understanding of trail conditions for the next 200 miles. There are a lot of blowdowns and overgrown trail in that stretch.

Finalized my itinerary to Oregon including places to stay, resupply, and a few bailout options.

Arranged a ride to the trail at 11:30 tomorrow. Will do a short 13-mile day.

I’m a bit apprehensive about the upcoming few hundred miles. Lots of burn areas and unmaintained trail. Will see how it goes.
Day 90 – Mile 1231.5 to Mile 1236.5 Quincy
Wednesday, July 22. Low-60s and sunny going up to upper 70s.

Up at 7:00. On trail at 8:00.

Arrived at Quincy La Porte Road at 10:50. My ride arrived early at 11:15. Nice. My trail angels were a retired couple who live near Quincy. They gave me a tour of town before dropping me off at Safeway about 12:15.

Quincy is only at about 3400 feet, so it’s a lot hotter down here than on trail.

I did the small resupply shopping that I need and picked up beverages and snacks for the next 2 nights. I have a package at the post office that I’ll likely just bounce up the trail 1-2 weeks. It’s mostly breakfast food which I have plenty of to get me to Chester in 3.5 days.

Hiked a mile back into town and had a nice lunch at Salt & Sage, about a block from my room at the Feather Bed Inn tonight. Killing time until I can checkin at 3:00.

Day 90 – Salt & Sage Restaurant in Quincy

Checked into my nice expensive cottage for tonight. The county fair is going on per my trail angels. Hence why there are almost no rooms in town.

Day 90 Feather Bed Inn

Washed a few clothing items in the sink. No laundromat in town again:(

I need to do a lot of detailed planning tonight so that Pitcrew can ship my next box. I need my Ursack (bear proof food storage) ASAP due to regulations in the upcoming forests. Also need to plan out my next set of meds and shoes.

Wild fires are not too bad near me, but as I approach Oregon things look grim.

Day 90 Oregon Wildfires

I found out that the airtankers that I have been watching the past few days are just what I thought. Old McDonnell Douglas DC-10s flying out of Sacramento. Specifically, Very Large Airtankers (VLAT) capable of delivering over 8,000 gallons of fire retardant. They are relaying back-and-forth to the massive fires in Oregon.

Day 90 Map – Mile 1231.5 to Mile 1236.5 Quincy

Technical Notes:
- Protein Shake (10oz): 330 cal, 19g carb, 13.5g fat, 36g protein
- Banana Chips (18p, 30g): 150 kcal, 20g carb, 8g fat, 1g protein
- Banana Chips (18p, 30g): 150 kcal, 20g carb, 8g fat, 1g protein
- Mango (3-4p, 30g): 100 kcal, 25g carb, 0g fat, 0g protein per
- Mango (3-4p, 30g): 100 kcal, 25g carb, 0g fat, 0g protein per
- Twix 530
- Loaded scrambled eggs 500
- Town Food
- Water liters: 1
- Miles: 5
- Time: 2:52
- Up: 643
- Down: 922
- Calories consumed: LOTS
- Calories burned: 807
- iPhone battery used: 30%
Day 89 – Mile 1213.5 to Mile 1231.5
Tuesday, July 201. Low-60s and sunny going up to low 70s. Good chance of rain and thunderstorms from 2:00-6:00.

Up at 7:00. On trail at 8:00.

Lots of lakes this morning.

The places we sometimes must drink from …

Took a break at 11:00 with decent cell service. Found a trail angel who can give me a ride into Quincy tomorrow around noon and booked a room at B&B Quincy. It’s the only room available in town! Booked a room at the Gold Springs a Motel for Thursday night. Gotta switch places on Thursday, but I want a zero day. Back on trail at 11:55.

Stopped for lunch at 2:00 and this girl joined me….briefly.

Camp at 6:40. Storms have held off but chance of rain tonight.

Day 89 Camp

I have an easy 5 mile hike to the road where I’ll get picked up at noon tomorrow. Looking forward to a zero in Quincy. I need to do some serious replanning for the rest of NorCal and Oregon including resupply packages, new shoes, etc.

Day 89 Fan to Help With Humidity

Day 89 Map – Mile 1213.5 to Mile 1231.5

Technical Notes:
- Protein Shake (10oz): 330 cal, 19g carb, 13.5g fat, 36g protein
- Banana Chips (18p, 30g): 150 kcal, 20g carb, 8g fat, 1g protein
- Banana Chips (18p, 30g): 150 kcal, 20g carb, 8g fat, 1g protein
- Mango (3-4p, 30g): 100 kcal, 25g carb, 0g fat, 0g protein per
- Mango (3-4p, 30g): 100 kcal, 25g carb, 0g fat, 0g protein per
- Salami: 300
- Chips 380
- Salami: 300
- Jerky (1 oz): 70 kcal, 12g carb, 0g fat, 12g protein
- Mountain House Rice and Chicken 540
- Cheese crackers 250
- Fritos: 400
- Skittles 250
- Water liters: 4
- Miles: 18.2
- Time: 10:22
- Up: 3061
- Down: 3360
- Calories consumed: 3320
- Calories burned: 3122
- iPhone battery used: 40%
Day 88 – Sierra City to Mile 1213.5
Monday, July 20. Mid-50s and clear going up to low 80s and humid at low altitude.

Up at 7:00. Packed and tried to find a place to stay in Quincy. Not having much luck.

Shipped bear can home when the post office opened at 10:00 and shipped some extra food 4 days ahead to Quincy. Grabbed a breakfast sandwich from the general store which also opened at 10:00.

My pack feels much lighter and less bulky without the bear can. Awesome!

Planning on a roughly 13-mile day today with a big ascent out of town.

Started up the alternative route to the PCT at 11:00. I’m taking a series of Jeep trails to save 3 miles and 1500 feet.

Day 88 Ascent Out Of Sierra City

Day 88 Ascent Out Of Sierra City

Rejoined the PCT at 2:40 and 5.9 hard miles. There was trail magic!! Sodas, chips, oranges, and ice! It’s hot out here.

Day 88 Trail Magic

Grabbed 2 liters of water at a spring and took a blue blaze headed 6 miles to my campsite for the night.

Looking back at the buttes I ascended earlier today.

Day 88 Looking Back At The Buttes

Reached camp at 6:40. This guy wandered in while I was eating dinner.

Day 88 Dinner Companion

Interesting day. Both blue blazes today were county-owned and they are primarily for off-road vehicles. I hiked with jeeps, pickup trucks, and motorbikes on and off today. I got back to the PCT and camped about 100 yards from the off-road vehicle trail. There are several families camped with their vehicles very near me. I move away from that tomorrow.

I also saw several large air tankers fly over today. The big two engine jet type. There are several fires north of me, so im assuming that’s where they were headed.

Also, it looks like rain and thunderstorms from 9-3 tomorrow. Yippee!

Day 88 Map – Sierra City to Mile 1213.5

Technical Notes:
- Breakfast sandwich 400
- Hash brown 120
- OJ 170
- Salami: 110
- Orange Crush 180
- Root Beer 160
- Orange 90
- Doritos 160
- Banana Chips (18p, 30g): 150 kcal, 20g carb, 8g fat, 1g protein
- Banana Chips (18p, 30g): 150 kcal, 20g carb, 8g fat, 1g protein
- Salami: 110
- Jerky (2 oz): 140 kcal, 12g carb, 0g fat, 22g protein
- Curry noodles: 460 cal, 8g protein
- Dehydrated chicken: 170 cal, 25g protein
- Cheese crackers 250
- Fritos: 400
- Quest bar: 180 cal, 20g protein
- Water liters: 4
- Miles: 13
- Time: 7:45
- Up: 4078
- Down: 1211
- Calories consumed: 3240
- Calories burned: 2868
- iPhone battery used: 39%
Day 87 – Mile 1191.8 to Sierra City
Sunday, July 19. Mid-50s and cloudy going up to low 80s and humid at low altitude.

Woke up to thunder at 4:00. It rained on and off from 5-7. Given that, I slept in until 7:30.

Two miles on the PCT then a 3-mile road walk. About half gravel and half paved.

Day 87 Road Walk

Got into Sierra City at 10:00. Very small one-road old mining town. Went directly to The Red Moose Cafe for food and drink. There were about 12 other hikers here. With more coming in. I can get into my cottage at 2:00 at the latest.

Day 87 Sierra City

Day 87 Red Moose in Sierra City

I had a nice breakfast then hung out and watched the beginning of the World Cup finals with about 20 other hikers.

Day 87 World Cup at Red Moose

I walked down the street to the general store to pick up my resupply package, some additional resupply, and some adult beverages. The resupply was sketchy as it’s Sunday and the shelves were very picked over. Walked back to the place where I’m staying at 1:00 and my cottage was ready.

Day 87 Butte Resort

I exploded my pack and put my tent out on the porch to dry. There is no laundry in town, so I washed a few things in the bathroom sink. I called my shirt, bandannas, and underwear clean when the water coming off of them was mostly clear. The socks were good enough when the water was light brown:)

YouTube Video of Pack Explosion in Sierra City

I got my Bear can ready to ship home and prepped my food for the next 4.5 days to Quincy, CA.

Day 87 Food for 4.5 Days

Showered, packed, and had a nice call with Pitcrew. Walked a mile to Sierra Pines Resort, the only place open, for dinner at 7:00.

The post office does not open until 10:00, so I’m not in a rush in the morning. My plan is breakfast back at Sierra Pines, post office, checkout, and on trail by 11:00. Only doing about 13 miles tomorrow. There is a huge steep 4000-foot climb out of Sierra City.

I have a 4.5 day trek to Quincy for my next section.

Technical Notes:
- Quest Bar: 180 cal, 20g protein
- OJ
- Coffee
- Sausage scramble
- Lamb chops
- More!
- Water liters: .5
- Miles: 5
- Time: 2
- Up: 197
- Down: 1286
- Calories consumed: 695
- Calories burned: lots
- iPhone battery used: 10%
Day 86 – Mile 1170.3 to Mile 1191.8
Saturday, July 18. Mid-50s and cloudy going up to low 70s.

Up at 7:00. We had unexpected rain between 4:00 and 5:30 this morning. Not a lot, and I could still see some stars while it rained. Odd. On trail at 8:00.

I got a nice surprise from Jon Luning, my Theta Xi Fraternity Big Brother, late yesterday. This is from the latest edition of our national publication, The Unicorn.

Day 86 – Except From The Unicorn

Power hiking 22 miles today so that I can Nero in Sierra City on Sunday.

Some good lake views today.

Day 86 Lake View

Had an 8-mile ridge walk that looked like this for hours.

Day 86 8 mile ridge walk

Lots of forest recovery and restoration work today. They are removing the dead and dying trees.

Day 86 Lots Of This Today

Day 86 Lots Of This Today

Camp at 6:15 and 22 miles. Awesome spot 10 feet from a babbling brook and bridge.

Day 86 Camp by River and Bridge

This is the first time I’ve done anything over 18 miles in quite a while. My feet hurt, but overall it was a decent day. I need to do more big-mile days soon.

I’m really looking to breakfast in Sierra City tomorrow. I have a resupply box at the general store and a cabin rented for tomorrow night. I need to post 7 days of blogs and plan for my next hiking sections.

Day 86 Map – Mile 1170.3 to Mile 1191.8

Technical Notes:
- Protein Shake (10oz): 330 cal, 19g carb, 13.5g fat, 36g protein
- Banana Chips (18p, 30g): 150 kcal, 20g carb, 8g fat, 1g protein
- Banana Chips (18p, 30g): 150 kcal, 20g carb, 8g fat, 1g protein
- Quest Bar; 180 cal, 20g protein
- Mango (3-4p, 30g): 100 kcal, 25g carb, 0g fat, 0g protein per
- Mango (3-4p, 30g): 100 kcal, 25g carb, 0g fat, 0g protein per
- Quest Bar: 180 cal, 20g protein
- Salami: 220
- Jerky (2 oz): 140 kcal, 12g carb, 0g fat, 22g protein
- Cup noodles Stir Fry Sweet Chili (8 oz water): 370 Kcal, 55g carb, 13g fat, 8g protein
- Cup noodles Stir Fry Sweet Chili (8 oz water): 370 Kcal, 55g carb, 13g fat, 8g protein
- Tuna: 90 kcal, 4-7g carb, 1g fat, 14-16g protein
- Fritos: 400
- Skittles (2.17oz): 250 kcal, 56g carb, 2.5g fat, 0g protein
- Water liters: 4
- Miles: 22
- Time: 10:16
- Up: 2283
- Down: 5108
- Calories consumed: 3030
- Calories burned: 3013
- iPhone battery used: 32%