Tuesday, February 20, 2018 Someone asked me the other day whether I'm excited for my trip or whether I'm worried that my foot won't be ready. For sure I'm worried! I'm doing my best to abide by the wisdom of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Don't panic) but a towel isn't helping, nor are the …
Continue reading Pacific Crest Trail (2018) Pre-Hike 3: Don’t Panic
Sunday, February 04, 2018 I received a second set of x-rays and they confirmed no fracture, so the doctor gave me permission to stop using crutches. At first my food didn't hurt and I thought it might be miraculously healed, but it became sore with a small amount of use... nonetheless it's much improved from …
Continue reading Pacific Crest Trail (2018) Pre-Hike 2: Progress
Sunday, January 21, 2018 [Insert wordless howl into the abyss here.] Two days ago, I fell and sprained (or possibly fractured) my foot or ankle. The doctor ordered x-rays and put me on crutches for two weeks, which I intend to spend scaring myself with questionable medical websites. A good chunk of time remains before …
Continue reading Pacific Crest Trail (2018) Pre-Hike 1: Screwed
Saturday, November 25, 2017 Finally, after daydreaming about the Pacific Crest Trail since completing the Arizona Trail in 2013, I begin! I'm not quite the same hiker as I was in 2013. Back then I was planning to thru-hike, but now I understand that I prefer hiking slowly to just getting to an arbitrary point …
So now you're interested in walking the Heysen, right? You're ready for a solitary and sometimes challenging journey? When to walk: Autumn and spring have the best weather, but the Heysen can also be walked in winter (North American summer). The parts that cross private property (many many parts) are closed during the Fire Danger …
Continue reading The Heysen 81: More Advice Than You Never Asked for
Sunday, November 27, 2016 - 14.58 km My last day on the Heysen! The sky was sunny and I was feeling better than yesterday. I was planning to have breakfast at the Cobbler Creek picnic area, then realized that the picnic area is on an alternate route, so I ate on a random bench overlooking …
Saturday, November 26, 2016 - 13.24 km https://flic.kr/p/2inxe5n A few route options were available this morning. I chose the official Heysen route, which heads inland past Deep Creek Waterfall, but the Deep Creek Cove alternate may have been more scenic. The trail was beautiful single track with steps(!) on the steep bits, and I encountered …
Friday, November 25, 2016 - 17.28 km The day began with road walking, then a fence-following drop to Tunkalilla Beach. The angle of descent was absurdly steep and I fell once. At the bottom, I met three older men with large and heavy-looking backpacks. I couldn't hear them well over the sound of the ocean …
Thursday, November 24, 2016 - 11.63 km https://flic.kr/p/2inzzpQ My day began with a short walk over the sand dunes to Waitpinga Beach, where a fisherman told me about sea fishing. Millipedes were wandering far out on the sand, and it reminded me of hikers who lose the trail but don't turn around. Go back! There's …
Wednesday, November 23, 2016 - 20 km I've been feeling under the weather with a sore throat, but today was my favourite day of this trip. The walk out of Victor Harbor along the ocean was beautiful - the map has it marked as not being trail, but it's actually lovely single-track - and Newland …
Tuesday, November 22, 2016 I decided to take a rest day in Victor Harbor today. I have all the time in the world to finish the HT! Or a week and a half before the trail closes for the fire season. Same diff. I found the type of sunscreen I like, read a book from …
Monday, November 21, 2016 - 21 km https://www.flickr.com/photos/186593395@N08/49470443078/in/dateposted-public/ Today was special because it was my arrival at the ocean! After however many kilometres, I'm about to start the final section of the HT, and everyone says that it's beautiful. I was planning to bypass Victor Harbor, but I realized that the sunscreen I was gifted …
Sunday, November 20, 2016 - 34.34 km The wind picked up last night and I was too cold in only my sleeping bag, so I relented and pitched my tent. I thought when I woke up that the air felt strangely warm - the Mount Compass forecast was for a high in the lower twenties …
Saturday, November 19, 2016 - 8.44 km I was still undecided when leaving Mount Compass about how far to walk today. The next campsite, Mt. Cone, is only 8.44 km from Mount Compass, but there are no established campsites for 35 km after Mt. Cone. I decided to decide upon arriving at Mt. Cone. https://www.flickr.com/photos/186593395@N08/49470530738/in/dateposted-public/ …
Friday, November 18, 2016 Rest day in Mount Compass. The only notable event was when I was walking down the road and an oncoming driver swerved all the way into the other lane to give me space. That's too much space! That's unnecessary space! Black invasive millipedes infest areas of Australia and the caravan park …
Thursday, November 17, 2016 - 8.56 km The weather was warm when I woke up and hot by 7:30 AM - an AZT Gila River Canyons day. While walking down the road from Finness Conservation Park, I noticed grassy flat spots with 'Private property/no trespassing' signs on the bordering fence. I wonder whether the Finniss …
Wednesday, November 16, 2016 - 24.7 km Forest walking this morning, including nicely built single-track. I'm getting spoiled I think, since I would have raved about this sort of walk during the soul-death from Melrose to Hallett, but such is the way of human beings. https://www.flickr.com/photos/186593395@N08/49471135997/in/dateposted-public/ The trail shifted onto road for awhile, reaching an …
Tuesday, November 15, 2016 - 15.58 km I left before the kids got up this morning. Today's walk was average, forests and farmland, no signage issues. The Ironbarks picnic area was pleasant, with picnic tables and fire rings beside the road. I arrived at Chookarloo Campground around 12:00 PM. It contains a one-walled shelter, covered …
Monday, November 14, 2016 - 29.95 I took the bus back to Piccadilly this morning, planning my route with Google Maps. It required a transfer and when I disembarked from the first bus, I noticed that the number for the second bus wasn't on the bus stop sign. Well, the sign could be wrong, right? …
Continue reading The Heysen 67: No Backpackers on the School Bus
Sunday, November 13, 2016 I took three zeros in Adelaide to avoid a big storm, but it didn't feel like a long time, maybe because Adelaide is a city instead of a small town and getting places takes more than a few minutes. I was expecting my roommates to hate me due to my odd …
BANE OF THE TRAIL 