Miles: 1964.6 to 1994.7

Mileage: 30.1

Day: 95

Has anyone else read the “Anne of Green Gables” series? When I was a kid, I was pretty much obsessed with these books and Anne, with an “e.” (Side note: one of the things I love about my red sun hat is that, in silhouette with my braids, I think I look like Anne. And that makes me happy because I spent my childhood pretending to be her.)

In book 2, “Anne of Avonlea,” one of the chapters is titled “A Jonah Day.” I assume it’s a bible reference, but I’m not familiar with it that way. What it means to Anne, however, is a nothing-is-easy day.

And that’s just what we had on the PCT today.

We got started at a reasonable time for us but within half an hour we were stopped. Richard had some pressing front country/Internet business to deal with and we were at a spot with cell service. So, we made no progress for an hour.

After we finally got moving again, the trail quickly changed from woods and dirt to lava. Big, roundish lava rocks just ready to twist an ankle and make walking with any pace impossible. We were stumbling down the trail looking like drunkards because the rocks would roll out from under our feet once any weight was put on them. Or the whole trail was loose gravel that sank as you stepped on it.

And then there was the wind. Lava fields do not have trees to break the wind. The poor trees were taken out by the angry mountain. So, in addition to the worst footing ever, we had to fight the wind for purchase on the mountain.

Speaking of weather, it was also hot and dry. And it was day one of a five-day food carry, so our packs were on the heavy side.

All this accumulated to the thing I hate most: night hiking. We didn’t have to hike for too long after dark, but I hate it nonetheless.

I’m not sure why I hate it. I think it’s mostly because I am not a night owl. I like to wind down when it gets dark. For example, be in my sleeping bag.

Eventually, we got to our campsite, set up the tent and crashed very hard.