In case you haven't seen the video of our river crossing adventure yet, check this out.

​https://www.facebook.com/bigbenbrewing/posts/10155575458574248

Here is a large group of photos from the last several hundred miles. Sorry for the lack of descriptions. We are not updating the blog like we have hoped. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for more updates. Also, for the last 400 miles we have been hiking with "Rattler". He has been doing a great job on a blog of his own. Take a look at his page at https://walkrworld.wordpress.com/

We are having so much fun we forget we have this little blog thing to keep everybody updated.

We left Kennedy Meadows on May 16th and made our way in to the snowy Sierra back country. It is such a different trail than the desert. Harder, slower moving, and so much more beautiful! We are down to 10 miles a day because of the snow and slushy afternoon conditions.

We are packing up to head out from Independence (PCT mile 788) and back over Kearsarge Pass (7.5 miles) to rejoin the PCT. It's 120 miles to Mammoth.

Day 39: Hiker Heaven to Casa De Luna
4/23/17
PCT mile 478

After a mile walk from the Saufly's to join the trail that runs straight through the town of Aqua Dulce we set out for our longest day yet.

25 miles today, and another mile walk until we got a hitch to the Anderson's (another trail angel that opened their house to hikers for 18 years). We were immediately welcomed with hugs and dinner before we could even set down our packs. What another great day, but we are ready for some rest! We are staying here for an extra day. We haven't taken a zero since Beaumont at mile 210.

Day 38: KOA to Hiker Heaven
4/22/17
PCT mile 454

Hiker Heaven is the home of the Saufly's in the town of Aqua Dulce that they have opened up to hikers for the last 20 years.

Day 37: Fiddle Neck to Acton KOA
4/21/17
PCT mile 444

We hiked to the Mill Creek Ranger Station (418) where local trail angel Mary was waiting to pick up hikers and shuttle them around the Sand Fire closure. Lucky for us as there was no cell service there to arrange any other options. She let us know that the closed trail should hopefully be open within the next week or so.

Once at the KOA, we checked in, set up our home, showered and did a little laundry. A family camping there saw us in the store and invited us to there campsite for a burger. We stayed till sunset and played games.

Oh! And before dinner, we enjoyed the down time relaxing at the picnic table, when something dropped from the tree hitting Jamie's shoulder. A leaf? A twig? No, a nice big bird poop! Definitely time to do laundry.

Day 36: Copper Canyon to Fiddle Neck
4/20/17
PCT mile 410.3

Day 19: Little Jimmy to
4/19/17
PCT mile 395.2

After more snow on the decent off Baden Powell, and a road walk detour around an endangered species detour we made camp at Cooper Canyon trail camp. Earlier we'd met a local out for an overnighter, and we was just setting up camp as well. A few short moments later he comes over with a brown paper bag and a big smile. "I have something for you. I know what's it's like to be on trail for a while. I'd planned on eating this for tonight but know you'll enjoy it more than me." And handed us a fresh Chipotle Burrito. Never in our lives did we know that Chipotle could produce such delicious, satisfying food! It lifted our spirits and satisfied our seeming endless hungry after a changing few days. The kindness of strangers can be humbling.

Day 34: Baden Powell Bench to Little Jimmy
4/18/17
PCT mile 383.9
With trail advise from Ghost we began our ascent mid morning to avoid icy conditions. Little did we know, the incoming storm didn't allow the snow to freeze and the weather would soon begin to change quickly.
We strapped on our crampons and started walking up the slippery mess. After less than a mile there was no more trail, only snow. This is when we started blazing new trail straight up to the summit on a Black Diamond worthy slope. The whole way was on the north face with deep snow beginning at 8,500 feet.

Once near the top the mountain was producing it's own weather and was socked in the clouds with 50-70 mph gusts.

The decent was no different along the ridge line. The official trail kept switching to the north side again with 5-10 foot snow drifts dominating the path. This is when the rain began.

Many hours later, with less than half a mile to camp we made our way to the Little Jimmy spring to load up on water. Wet and shivering we waited for what seemed like forever filtering the water needed for dinner and our next days hike out.

We did it! We made it! And feel ready to concur the snow on our next mountain.

Day 33: Grassy Hollow to Baden Powell Bench
4/17/17
PCT mile 376

After two exhausting and trying days we planned an easy hike to recover. We awoke to the sounds of vehicles driving into the closed visitor center parking lot, expecting to hear the voice of a Ranger asking us what we are doing camping there, instead the hustle and bustle of volunteers getting ready to begin working on the trail nearby.

No one gave us any attention other than a friendly wave as they passed by. As we were beginning to pack up, Thomas came over eager to hear of stories from the trail. But quickly turned into us on the edge of our seats listening to all of his own stories of the trail from the last few decades. We talked for hours and didn't strap our packs on and leave until almost 11am.

Making it a few miles to the Mt Baden Powell trail head, met several hikers figuring out their alternate routes around the mountain and reunited with a few we meet weeks prior. All that were still at the bottom went around, except us. We are summitting tomorrow!

Day 32: Halfway up to Grassy Hollow Visitors Center
4/16/17
PCT mile 370

We finally made it up the mountain! It was a hard push. We began our day with our ties on (it was Easter Sunday after all). We rationed water most of the day as we knew there was a limited supply ahead. Another hiker John (Ghost) let us know there was some snow melt at the turn of for Wrightwood that would work. But once we got there, we discovered he'd meant it was a tire rut in the dirt road that had filled with water. Oh well! That will still work after we filter it.
We still had to go on another 7 miles until the next water. But little did we know that part of the trail, that was usually bypassed by most hikers that went into Wrightwood, went along a steel north face traverse before everything the ski resort. By afternoon it was a snowy slippery mess that was very exhausting and dangerous at times. But it gave us more snow travel miles under our belts.
We get to the visitors center mentally went physically exhausted just planning in filtering weather and hiking another mile before camp. As we sit, huddled by the outhouse sheltered from the roaring wind, our gravity water filter perched on the ledge above, suddenly the water bag full of four liters of water shifts and comes crashing down on us busting open and soaking our already shivering bodies. We burst into laughter!
We are staying here for the night! I'll pay the fine in the morning when the Ranger shows up if we are busted for illegal camping! We are done for the day!

Day 15: Cajon Pass to "Halfway up"
4/15/17
PCT mile 353.9

We chose to resupply our next week's worth of food at Cajon Pass before realizing that there was no water for the next 25-30 miles, and a killer ascent of thousands of feet. Our packs were soooo heavy it was a very hard day that was slow going. We swore never again. Haha

Day 30: Train Horn Riverside to Cajon Pass
4/14/17
PCT Mile 342
Coming into the tiny town of Cajon Pass off the PCT wouldn't be complete without a stop at the infamous McDonald's. We had been thinking about nothing but a Root Beer Float at McDonald's for days. We planned it out, regular soda, plus an ice cream cone. One hitch, they don't have root beer?!?. Then to Best Western where Jamie has been waiting to receive her new pair of shoes! Thank the heavens for the best brother, the one the only David Cramer! He has been our behind the scenes inspiration and motivator. Thanks brother from the big blister on Jamie's funky toe!

Day 29: Sunset in the burn zone to Train horns by the river.
4/13/17
PCT Mile 335

The Uncle Martin and Aunt Zoe surprised us with thier Bright Mobile Gas-N-Go roadside resupply.

Day 28: Deep Creek Hot Springs to Sunset in the burn zone.
4/12/17
PCT Mile 320

Day 27: Holcomb Creek to Deep Creek Hot Springs
4/11/17
PCT mile 307

Day 26: Grizz and Lovely Heart Popsicles to Holcomb Creek
4/10/17
Mile 292
We were cold but not freezing all night, but then awoke to find all our water frozen. We guessed the temperature dropped to 15F.

Day 25: Big Bear Lake to Grizz and Lovely Heart Popsicles
4/9/17
PCT Mile 275

Day 24: Rocky Tent to Big Bear Lake and the "Black Forest Inn"
​4/8/17
Fresh laundry, showers, and the first fire we've had after 3 weeks on the trail and it's in our hotel room for the night.
Thanks to our trail angles "Jamie and Romi" who gave us rides around town and to the trail in the morning.

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Day 23: Coon Creek to Rocks under the tent
PCT mile 258
​4/7/17

The bears and tiger were in a zoo that keeps them for movie shoots.

Day 22: River Bottom to Coon Creek Cabin
PCT mile 246

Day 21: Whitewater to river bottom
PCT mile 233

Day 20: I-10 to Beach front camping at Whitewater
PCT mile 220

Day 18: 201 to I-10 (picked up by Uncle Marty and Aunt Zoe)
PCT mile 209
First stop, In-n-Out.

Day 17: Idyllwild to the only flat tent spot for miles.
PCT mile 201