PCT Day 7

5.21.22 || Day 7: 124.9 - 146.4 miles

Water tank at Mike’s Place (the life source) and picnic tables to eat breakfast too!

tldr; met Bullwinkle, massive blister, camped a few miles outside Paradise Valley Cafe (PVC)

Woke up kinda late this morning, alone above the clouds. When we went to bed the moon reflected off the clouds in the valley, felt like we were in that movie Castle in the Sky. Coldest night yet.

We walked a few miles to a water tank at a trail angel’s house called Mike’s Place. A few years ago it used to be more of a hiker haven — pancakes, beers and pizza on Friday nights — but this season it’s pretty abandoned. We didn’t go down to the property, just filtered, ate breakfast and kept on. 

We started the 18.6 mile stretch to the next water source, another tank just outside our ultimate destination, the Paradise Valley Cafe. We met two hikers along the way, an older guy named Chaz (not a trail name haha) and a British guy named “Bullwinkle”.  Hope we stay on pace with them! 

Around 10 miles in we had lunch and I took off my socks to discover a small blister on the bottom of my foot had become the biggest blister I’ve ever seen 🥵. I was this close to crying, but let it pass and ate lunch, taped it up. Everyone seems to have different views on blisters but I decided to deal with it later. Listened to MGK’s Tickets to My Downfall, got past the next big ascent, and made it to the water tank around 5:45. Tons of other hikers there so we chatted for a while. They were all planning to go to the Cafe right when it opened in the morning. 

Camped 5.4 miles away from the cafe and dreamt of hash browns. First hot meal in a week tomorrow!!

🎵: Tickets to my Downfall, MGK