Another verbose entry. Sorry.

Slept in until 6:00 am. I noticed we went to sleep with the birds and woke up with the birds. That’s kinda cool, but we were sleep deprived so it felt great. Had a light snack and started off on the big climb out of Hauser Canyon. Stopped about an hour later for a cold re-hydrated Eggs and bacon. It was good.

Maddie rocketed out of camp up the canyon climb. I followed at my best pace but still too slow compared to her. Ah well. We’ll see if this becomes a problem later. I called her “Morning Rabbit” when I finally caught up to her as she was waiting and shedding clothes. Extremely beautiful morning and we are both feeling good and in a great mood. We are both very happy we decided to camp at Hauser Creek. We were very tired when we got there. Doing the 5 or so miles to Lake Morena CG in the morning was a great decision. 

Anyway, we shed clothes and Maddie is off to the races again. I eventually find her waiting for me at the top. In the meantime, I have come up with a Limerick and a suggested trail name for Maddie. You can’t make up your own trail name. Someone else has to give it to you. You can reject any. It’s nice if there’s a trail story behind it. So I suggest “Morning Rabbit”.

There once was a PCT Hiker named Morning Rabbit
Rocketing out of camp was her daily habit
Her tortoise-speed Dad
Wasn’t so sad
He’d catch and pass her in the afternoon, goddammit

In turn, a mile or so later she makes several suggestions for my trail name. One of which is “Limerick”. Which sounds great to me. So, today is my name day. My PCT Trail Name day.

We made it into Lake Morena Camp Ground about 10:30. Which was earlier than we planned. Met Susan and Kona and had another breakfast. We had planned to hang out and have a “kickoff” party of our own. Then a hiker we met yesterday, Bone Daddy, stopped by. He had walked from Campo from 4:00 in the morning to Lake Morena and was turning around to go back in one day. For training. It’s 40 miles. Anyway, he suggested we “Slack Pack”. I hadn’t heard that term and it basically means day hike farther along the PCT. Then get a ride back to your plush car camp. With Susan the Support Mama we could actually easily do that. I hadn’t even thought of that as an option. But, the idea to easily hike the 6 miles to Boulder Oaks Camp Ground with a light pack quickly appealed to Maddie and I. So we did. As long as we walk, I don’t really care what we carry. As little as possible.

We took Kona with us. It was only 70 degrees so not too hot for her. I wonder what her trail name will be. Her hips are starting to bother her, as she’s 10. But she still loves to hike and 6 miles is still within her comfort range.

I’m working on a Limerick for Poodley Appendage.