Day 43 – Mile 623.1 to McIvers Spring 

Friday, June 5, 2026. Clear and 64 going up to 81.

Up at 5:30. On trail at 6:30.

Long, hot day in the desert….again.

YouTube Video of Day 43 in the Desert 

Water cache at 10:15 and 9.1 miles. Pounded 3 liters of water here.

Napped in the shade of a few Joshua Trees for 90 minutes by the water cache.

That was one nasty, hot, steep 3.5-mile climb after the water cache. I had to stop every .2 miles when a tree made a little spot of shade and rest. Glad I took 4 liters of water from that cache. I just drank two of them. Fortunately, I only have 9.5 miles to camp and water.

It’s 1:15 and I’m taking an hour break before moving on. Maybe two hours.

I got my first view of the Sierras. Way in the background. You can’t see it in the photo, but there is snow on some of the mountains up there!

Reached the water and camp at 6:30. Long, hard day, but great water. Most people are camping in the cabin here, but I prefer my tent as I’ll be up much later than the others. I had dinner at 7:30. Everyone else was asleep by 7:15.

Looking forward to a town day tomorrow before getting back on trail on Sunday. 

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, 49g): 140 kcal, 35g carb, 0g fat, 0g protein 
• Jerky (2 oz): 140 kcal, 12g carb, 0g fat, 22g protein 
• Mango (3-4p, 49g): 140 kcal, 35g carb, 0g fat, 0g protein 
• Skittles (2.17oz): 250 kcal, 56g carb, 2.5g fat, 0g protein 
• Fritos 320
• Skittles (2.17oz): 250 kcal, 56g carb, 2.5g fat, 0g protein 
• Ramen 720
• Tuna: 90 kcal, 4-7g carb, 1g fat, 14-16g protein 
• Fritos 500
• Water liters: 8
• Miles: 22.84
• Time: 12:14
• Up: 4610
• Down: 3205
• Calories consumed: 3200
• Calories burned: 4337
• iPhone battery used: 50%