Mile 10 to 22

Horny Toads

Brian wakes at five, hoping to see the advertised blood moon. By five the moon has set behind the hill, so the red mooning is a complete bust. Those who know Brian, know he likes to play games, especially ones with ridiculous rules. Today he declares we are playing PCT scavenger hunt, and must create a list of random things to look for. They must be found on the trail, and cannot involve us. As an example he offers up a ginger (redhead) minor. I counter with someone wearing non-matching Dirty Girl gaiters. Others we agree on: a thru-hiker walking barefoot, someone carrying a child, a completely burnt and peeling thru-hiker, and a hiker taking a dump in full view of the trail. I offer someone quitting in front of us, but Brian and Bri nix it as not funny. Apparently puking on the trail is funny, but quitting is not.

As we hike, we encounter horned toad lizards mating on the trail, which had not made the list. After quick showers at Lake Morena campground, we press on for a total of 12 miles. We set up at a patch of dirt by the trail, and are joined by a soon-to-be hippie. Later she tells us she is quitting the trail at Tehachapi, not because of exhaustion or lack of confidence, but because of future financial limitations. Brian does not allow me to count her in the scavenger hunt.

Showers at Lake Morena