August 19

Distance: 32.1 miles | Ascent: 5010′ | Descent: 5450′

Mile marker: 935.6

Lunch: J&A – Mexican surprise (C+, C)

Dinner: J – Thai red curry and spaghetti mac (A, A-), A – jambalaya (B+)

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We hit the trail by 5:30 am in the dark. As we walked in the dark, our headlamps caught some green glowing eyes staring back from the dark forest. Probably, some deer and maybe a fox.

We’re really noticing the daylight hours diminish. Soon, we’ll have to be hiking in the dark morning and night.

After our big climb in the morning, the scenery became drastically different. This other side of the ridge feels like a new climate. Everything is drier, sparser, and more desert-like. It doesn’t have that PNW feel anymore.

The water carries were long today. Many seasonal creeks are dry, but fortunately, the rare reliable springs are gushing with water.

We were gunning for Callahan’s Mountain Lodge today. This is where our next resupply box awaits. Jason is especially excited for this box because it contains his next pair of shoes. And, a sun umbrella that attaches to his pack! The northbounders (“nobos”) have been raving about these umbrellas – they claim they were essential for getting through hot days in Northern California and the desert. Jason will report back. Alex likes the heat, for now anyway.

Doing such a long day doesn’t leave a lot of time for pictures. We got closer to Mt. Shasta, but we were really focused on making the distance.

When we made it to the lodge, we were tired and sore. Our legs held in there, but we found ourselves waddling around in the evening with stiff legs and swollen feet. For now, we are trying not to think about the continuous 3,500 ft climb out of here tomorrow morning.