PCT Day 13: Zero Day in Idyllwild

Daily Miles: 0, Total Miles: 178.6

Relaxed, cleaned up my gear, did some foot doctoring and enjoyed my zero day.

Speaking of feet, they seem to be holding up as well as could be expected considering the punishment. Blisters on the little toes are turning into bulbous callouses. A heel blister that had been tender for a few days seems to be coming good. I have seen some huge, nasty, painful looking blisters on a few hiker’s feet.

I got a surprise call from the Border Patrol today from Arizona. They had just found a backpack near the start of the AZT two miles from the Mexico border. The agent told me they found a piece of paper in the pack with my name and phone number and the BP was trying to find the pack’s owner. I recalled being contacted by email a few weeks ago by a hiker planning to hike the AZT and I responded to his questions. I gave the BP agent all the contact numbers I could gleam from his original email.

The agent called me back later in the morning to inform me they had called the hiker’s wife and found the hiker. He had slackpacked to the border and back and was returning for his pack when the BP found him. Happy ending, but the agent said his wife was not at all happy about Day 1 of her husband’s hike.

I went to Idyllwild’s Rustic Theater tonight to see Oblivion with Tom Cruise.

My bro had asked for a review because he may want to see the movie. Kelly, the first 45 minutes were OK with some good special effects. Shortly before the end of the movie, I woke myself up with a loud snort. I sheepishly looked around and it looked like the other four people in the theater were still asleep. Needless to say, I found the rest of the movie very confusing and can’t recommend it.