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Big Long Walk
  • Anna Budke
  • Anna Budke

Big Long Walk

PCT class of 2024 Read more
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  • Anna BudkeBig Long WalkTraveler

    Day 26

    May 6, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Trail magic hit at around 9am. Cans of Pepsi in a cooler full of ice. We ran into the trail angel, who was out in a day hike just before getting to lunch.

    We ate lunch at a picnic area on silver wood lake. That area was boat or hike in. There were some retirees that had kayaked in. We took a long siesta through the heat of the day in the shade of the shelters.

    When we climbed back up to the trail we saw just how bad the algae bloom was. I was glad to have grabbed water from a tributary before the lake.

    Camped at 335.6    Read more

  • Anna BudkeBig Long WalkTraveler

    Day 27

    May 7, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 9 °C

    6 miles in to Cajón Pass, home of the famous McDonalds.

    We arrived just after 9 am. My favorite McDonalds food is breakfast so I was pleased with our timing.

    My hunger has definitely started to increase, but I tried to make it there without eating before hand. I was close but had to have some quick calories about a mile out.

    I had 2 sausage egg McMuffins, three hash browns and tried a breakfast burrito. They made a mistake and gave me three burritos 😁. Wash all that down with an iced coffee and you have a happy Anna.

    We Ubered to REI for new shoes. I tried on several styles and sizes of Altras but ended up getting my same pair but half a size up.

    There was a chick fil a in the same parking lot, and neither Tux or Rambo had tried it, So we had to show the Europeans what it was all about over lunch.

    Ubered back to the McDonald’s got some more food from there and the gas station then resorted our packs in the sun.

    Hit the trail later in the after noon and hiked 5 more miles.

    Camped at 347.2 with a water cashe.    Read more

  • Anna BudkeBig Long WalkTraveler
    1

    Day 29

    May 9, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    TOWN DAY!!

    5 or 6 miles to an easy hitch into Wrightwood. Tux was ahead and got us a beautiful outdoor table at Grizzly Cafe (I think every CA mt. town has a Grizzly cafe now). Massive breakfast, two sides included and a hiker discount made it probably the best restaurant meals we’ve had so far.

    Rambo had come down last night and found a great place managed my Pajama Mama. Rented by the room it was a super nice air bb treated as a mini hostel for hiking season.

    We did laundry and wore the provided pajamas in the mean time.

    Lots of chores. Gas station, hardware store and grocery store have resupply.

    When signing in at the hardware store we got an enamel pin of the original diamond shaped blazes.

    Also got chocolate milk. I never want water in my front pocket again 😂

    I made guacamole to scratch my cooking itch and then we got pizza for dinner    Read more

  • Anna BudkeBig Long WalkTraveler

    Day 30

    May 10, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Accidental 0

    Here’s the plan: breakfast at Grizzly again, hitch to trail and do 10 or so to Perot for Baden Powell.

    Unless we stay one more night and do a real 0.

    We did plan B. 😁

    I got a Pack shake down and sent a few things home. Rambo and Tux also sent some things.

    In the style of Cam I volunteered to make food for the rest of our stay. Sandwiches for lunch, fajitas for dinner and eggs with toast for breakfast. All came to about 20 per person for all three meals!

    Tropic thunder & barb and star    Read more

  • Anna BudkeBig Long WalkTraveler

    Day 31

    May 11, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    One month on trail!!

    Back to yesterday’s plan, breakfast then out of town. We hit the store and hardware store again and ran into several groups in our orbit so didn’t get out of town until later

    Our ride out of town was from Orange County and had a kumquat tree, he had a massive grocery bag of fruit and insisted we take some ziplocks.

    Short hike up the base of Baden Powell.

    New way to hang my cnoc from a tree with my new string and a carabiner

    Had dinner with the four of us plus Laura.

    Early rise tomorrow on trail by 3:15

    Camped at 375.8    Read more

  • Anna BudkeBig Long WalkTraveler

    Day 34

    May 14, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    Late start 8:00 on trail

    Hot

    Good chill morning, climbed out of valley

    Siesta without tux (he missed the plan lol)

    3.5 to a road no cell service or we could have ordered pizza

    Trail magic, tux saved us some (sodas)

    Chilled at the road for a bit, 6 ish miles to camp just past a water source basically on a road

    Camped at 424.9    Read more

  • Anna BudkeBig Long WalkTraveler

    Day 35

    May 15, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 11 °C

    Early start on trail by 5 am. I was on spider web patrol at the front of the conga

    Humid morning, but very pretty. We were up above the clouds

    10 by 9:30 and a brief 10:30 lunch at the ranger station with some lizardy
    Shenanigans. We all ate our dinners because we decided to go to town a day early.

    Got to the Acton RV park/ amusement park by about 3, got packages and a ride to town from Kevin (unsolicited mandatory tour included) saw the breaking bad meth barn.

    Decent dinner at the 49er saloon. Ok bread pudding.

    Resupply was expensive and not great. But it’ll do.

    Staying behind the 49er saloon in an empty lot with about 30 other hikers. It was fun to see some folks we haven’t seen in a while.

    Overall a fun day

    Slept at 49er Saloon off trail from 444.3    Read more

  • Anna BudkeBig Long WalkTraveler
    12

    Day 36

    May 16, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    Woke up to a train sounding like it was headed straight for me as if we were sleeping on the tracks.

    Broke camp under the clouds we hiked above yesterday, and found sooooo many earwigs on my tent 🥲

    Hiked a quick 10 miles though an old star trek set to Agua Dulce and set up camp at Serenity Oasis, a newer hiker establishment.

    They have showers, laundry and expone salt baths included in a nights stay. They also have a pretty great resupply!

    We got burgers for lunch and Mexican for dinner. Big day food wise!

    Camped at 453.7 at Serenity    Read more

  • Anna BudkeBig Long WalkTraveler
    11

    Day 37

    May 17, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    Was up well before my alarm at Serenity this morning so decided to take one more shower before everyone got moving.

    We broke camp and left our packs while we went back to the Cowboy Tavern for breakfast. It was all great and really hit the spot.

    When we came back we ran the numbers and realized we are coming in a bit hot to the Sierras, and will get there earlier than we want at our current pace. While running through options we had a half day we just spent vortexed. Tux Spicy and I used some of the nail polish in the hiker box to paint our thumb nails, and Tux took a good nap in one of the hammocks.

    I made trail sushi for lunch (rice with sugar and vinegar, with nori, tuna packet, mayo siracha and wasabi) and we had baked goods and soda from the resupply

    We hit the road at about 1:30, finished the road walk and did 8 miles plus about 1.5 bonus miles for water.

    Clouds rolled in as the sun was going town to make a very misty effect.

    Camped at 462.8    Read more

  • Anna BudkeBig Long WalkTraveler

    Day 41

    May 21, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Very interesting day! We only had about 2.7 miles from camp to hiker town. Hiker town is usually a little spot where you can rent a tiny cabin, take 5$ showers and do bucket laundry. But today, it was so much more.

    There was a film crew making some sort of project sponsored by Arrowhead water. They had put their logo all over everything, they covered the cost of all lodging and showers, and provided food and some free stuff.

    The four of us got PCT tshirts which they shipped home.

    We left around 6 or 7 to start night hiking the notorious aqueduct section. 17 miles across the flat, hot, exposed desert floor. We follow the aqueduct itself for several miles. Though the trail is technically just to the right nobo of the pipe we walk on top instead of on the road for the most part.

    Got to camp around 2:30am    Read more

  • Anna BudkeBig Long WalkTraveler

    Day 42

    May 22, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌬 23 °C

    Tough start at about 8 on trail this morning. Hiked with Spicy and Rambo 6ish miles to the next water. It was still morning but already hot. At the stream we found a dozen or so sleepy hikers and joined them. Jenga was there too!

    Of the four of us two plans emerged. Jenga and Rambo wanted to push miles in the afternoon and sleep at night, while Spicy and I wanted to siesta and push miles through the night. Knowing we have a town day tomorrow was both a relief and a stressor as we had 28 miles to go.

    Spicy and I left around 4, did 8 miles to the next water cashe for dinner, then pushed 10 more to the next cashe arriving around 1am.

    The moon is still close to full so it was easy hiking. There was one section that was washed out with 6 foot or so walls. There was a rattle snake down there. Definitely added some spice to the night!    Read more

  • Anna BudkeBig Long WalkTraveler

    Day 43

    May 23, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Up and ready to go the 8 miles to the second highway into Tehachipe this morning. But that plan was generously foiled by the trail angel refilling the water cashe we slept next to. When he offered a ride to town, we took him up on it and were relieved to have a break from the sound of the wind in his car.

    Had breakfast at Henry’s Cafe. Tux had made it to town the night before and he joined late after staying with a trail angel.

    Rambo, Spicy Batman, Tux, Jenga and I then went to Walmart to get some snacks and do recon, then went to the park to chill for a bit before we go resupply and everything then head to the air bb

    We hung out at a park for a while then resupplied and went to our double 0 location.

    Fran gave us a ride. We had frozen pizzas for dinner🍕    Read more

  • Anna BudkeBig Long WalkTraveler
    2

    Day 46

    May 26, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    Last morning in the VRBO. Cam led Pilates before breakfast then did an everything in the fridge breakfast for us.

    We got a ride to tow from Able, who will also mail a bounce box for us since it is Sunday.

    We got some sweet treats at the German bakery and then lunch at Thai Hachipe. Chilled at the park until our shuttle back to trail.

    Climbed up from highway 58 a few miles into a 16 mile water carry. Packed out town cooked frozen pizza for dinner🍕

    Camped at 573.4    Read more

  • Anna BudkeBig Long WalkTraveler

    Day 47

    May 27, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    Long day, on trail just after 6 and then almost 10x10.

    Long water carries today. 6 miles from camp then 20 miles from there with dry camping.

    Full food and full water is definitely a challenge weight wise. I’m struggling to get my pack adjusted right. I’m almost maxing out my hip belt so it is difficult to sit the weight on my waist. I tried putting my foam pad around my waist to help add wiggle room on my hip belt.

    We took a siesta for a few hours then pushed for camp. I had Annie’s mac for the first time of trail, and tried the protein version . I’m surprise I ate the whole thing!

    Camped at 593.2    Read more

  • Anna BudkeBig Long WalkTraveler

    Day 49

    May 27, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Long dry section today and tomorrow. 35 miles between reliable natural water sources.

    We left camp where we had the last spring in a while at 2am to camp out before the heat.

    Spicy found a deer skull that was pretty cool.

    Made it to the water cashe 7 miles in before sunrise, then pushed to 15 miles in before 11.

    Hiked through the heat very slowly and made it to the second cashe by about 4.

    Camped at 632.0    Read more

  • Anna BudkeBig Long WalkTraveler
    11

    Day 48

    May 28, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Shorter day today to accommodate upcoming long water carries

    10 miles to water this morning after dry camping. Water along the rest of the trail until camp 6 more miles.

    We reached mile 600, saw a billboard of the 10 commandments, and had crisp, clear water at camp.

    Camped at 610.1    Read more

  • Anna BudkeBig Long WalkTraveler

    Days 51-52

    May 30–31, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    Pushed hard to get to walker pass. It was a rough night sleeping at the water cashe meant I was absolutely exhausted.

    We picked a camp site that ended up being pretty unprotected. Pro tip for quilt users: arrange yourself with feet to the wind if you can to avoid your quilt being a cold sail all night.

    Original plan was to camp just outside of walker pad and in&out tomorrow. We ended up deciding we need a night in beds and pushed all the way to the pass.

    Got a ride in with Fried Egg, he’s a digital nomad that is hiking the pct on weekends while his gf and friends do the full thru hike.

    Got rooms at the American inn and had dinner at Kristie’s.

    Slept in Ridge Crest

    The next day we had breakfast at Kristie’s again, then went to a trail angels house. Had bbq tacos then walked to Walmart after figuring out the bus doesn’t stop at the town hall too no that way.

    Resupplied at Walmart to supplement grocery outlet and the dollar store then caught the bus back to the pass.

    We hiked out like 3 miles and packed out subway.

    Camped at 657.2    Read more

  • Anna BudkeBig Long WalkTraveler
    111

    Days 53-54

    June 2, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    Big day: the day before KMS. We wanted to set ourselves up for a full day there without having to camp.

    It was quite hot and exposed. I was tired but we should have left earlier. I’ve been quite tired lately. But excited to see everything that is coming.

    We had some longer water carries and some relatively small climbs. There were some nice rivers toward the end of the day where we did some trail laundry and bird baths.

    Camped at 699.4

    Today’s the day! Kennedy Meadows South, largely considered to be the end of the desert section of the PCT.

    We were on trial just after 5:30 to walk the four ish miles to the Kennedy Meadows General Store. Traditionally, hikers gather on the large patio to eat and rest, and as a hiker approaches on foot everyone cheers.

    We were the first hikers of the day and got a great clap:) 5Spice and Whopper were leading the excitement for our arrival.

    Pancake breakfast and then gear and resupply. I got packages with bear can, ice axe, micro spikes and some new warm layers. I shipped some stuff back to Seattle and got a new hiking shirt after my grey one got holes in it from some critters a few days ago.

    Burgers at grumpies and some drama with the shuttle back and forth, luckily, Kidnapper was willing to give some rides.

    Hiked out just a few miles from town to camp. Somehow KMS was more restful than ridge crest was.

    Camped at 705.7    Read more

  • Anna BudkeBig Long WalkTraveler

    Days 55-56

    Jun 4–5, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    Day 55
    Really got a move on starting the Sierra. Passed an official PCTA trail register on the way out of camp.

    Large meadows that looked green up from a distance but was very scrubby up close.

    We had lunch next to a bridge with tons of swallow nests under it.

    Camped around 724

    Day 56
    Pushed to get to Cottonwood Pass trailhead to camp

    Passed some soaking pool streams that Spicy said were all but dry in 2022.

    Saw several bristlecone pine trees. The oldest living things on the planet. They look like they are from a different age. Some are up to 4,000 years old. Not sure if we saw any that old but they are very cool.

    Getting off trail let us see the Golden Trout Wilderness. It had some beautiful water and meadows on the way down.

    Camped on blue blaze off of mile 746.5    Read more

  • Anna BudkeBig Long WalkTraveler

    Days 56-57

    Jun 6–13, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C

    Town days!!

    Got a ride from Kurt down to Lone Pine. In our opinion a much nicer place to rest before the bulk of the sierra than KMS.

    Lone Pine was the set for something like 450 movies over the years. Mostly old westerns, but most recently car commercials and the first Ironman.

    We updated some gear, did our resupply, and did as many chores as we could on day one.

    I had my REI backpack shipped out and it arrived Friday. I was able to send my Durston home so I didn’t have to junk it!

    Also got new shoes.

    Had some good food, connected with Rambo and Sniffer as well as some other folks.    Read more

  • Anna BudkeBig Long WalkTraveler

    Day 60-61 (Mt. Whitney)

    Jun 9–10, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    Early rise to hike the 10 miles to Crabtree Meadows (off of 767.5) to stage for Whitney. It was a pretty section of forested Sierra to get there.

    I rolled in around 11 am to find meadow and woods full of tents; some with sleeping hikers, some with no poles, just flat on the ground while their occupants slack packed the peak. (Slack packing is when you hike without all your gear because someone will shuttle it ahead or you are doing an out and back)

    Had some dinner around one then went to sleep by 2. Slept on and off all “night”

    Alarms went off at 10 pm, and we were on trail by 11. We opted not to fully slack pack so that we could avoid the extra river crossings to get back. We did however stash our bear cans and most of our food near the exit trail head.

    We hiked without the light of the moon, so had a great view of the stars and had to use our headlamps the whole time.

    The climb started getting hard around 13,000 feet for me. But after slowing down I caught my breath and pushed a bit slower. The trail was largely dry with some significant patches of snow for which I put my spikes on.

    The summit was very cool. The shelter was only mostly full of snow, and the wind blocks did their job.

    We got there about 40 min before sunrise and bundled up with everyone at the top in our quilts while we waited.

    It was absolutely beautiful.

    The climb down went quick, and with each step I felt stronger as the air got thicker.

    We rested for several hours the hiked a few more miles to make tomorrows approach more manageable.

    Camped at 773.9    Read more

  • Anna BudkeBig Long WalkTraveler

    Day 62

    June 11, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C

    2 month Trailiversary!

    Forester Pass was the goal of the day.

    We hiked 6 miles to the approach fretting the whole way about what we would encounter. Luckily the conditions were nearly perfect. We were able to skip some of the switch backs at the bottom and follow some boot tracks up the snow.

    The chute, a notoriously dangerous section, was slightly snowed over, but it looked like somebody had gone up with a shovel and carved out a footpath so it was easy breezy. The top represented beautiful views as expected. And we were able to glissade half the way, and skip all the switchbacks on the north side. I even practiced flipping over to self arrest. Fell a little on the stand but it felt good.

    Hiked through the next valley then up to the Kearsarge Pass junction.

    We did a little less than a mile on that trail before camp.

    Camped on a blue blaze off of 790.1    Read more

  • Anna BudkeBig Long WalkTraveler

    Day 63

    June 12, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C

    Town day!

    Back so soon, we packed for 5 days between Lone Pine and Bishop but did it in 3. It’s great that the snow wasn’t an issue but it’s a bummer we carried so much extra food.

    We did most of the Kearsarge Pass side trail this morning and made it down to our 9am shuttle to Independence.

    Had coffee with some new folks, Maddy, Dr Cool, Rook and Tank before the bus ride from there to Bishop.

    Did laundry, caught up with some other folks, and hit the hay    Read more

  • Anna BudkeBig Long WalkTraveler
    1

    Day 77

    June 26, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌩️ 20 °C

    Walked some through the Yosemite area. The red water is a soda spring, it is naturally bubbly. Tastes like iron now though as you might imagine.

    Camped near 956.4

  • Anna BudkeBig Long WalkTraveler

    Day 78

    June 27, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌩️ 18 °C

    2 passes today: up and over Benson Pass and up Seavey Pass.

    I do not recommend Piute Creek. It was cool descending into a deep dark foresty valley full of ferns. But the mosquitoes destroyed my legs. Things weren’t better on the ascent either.

    15 bites on my left shoulder, several on the rest of my arms and probably upward of 50 on each leg. I’m taking allergy meds to help reduce the swelling.

    Camped at 976.9    Read more

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