Like Felix wrote, we were fronzen the other day. Sitting in our tent, waiting for the storm to stop. We measured 6celsius. But we knew things would change, and they did...

The storm went away and for like a few hours the next morning, the air was soft and kind to us. We were gently taken into an amazing landscape of the desert mountains of Southern California. But than she came, little miss sunshine. Letting dripes of water poored out of our skin instead of clouds. 95F (about 38C) was measured in the shade yesterday. So that was kind of tough. The landscape, the mindset of just walking and the people make up for it though.

We have these amazing views and funny crazy people with retarted trailnames around us. Malibu for example. A guy from Seattle who just came on the trail after biking along the west cost from his home to San Diego. Now he is walking back home. His real name is Kirby, but while doing a very strong impression of former American gladiator Malibu, it was no doubt that this should become his trailname. (You should check out some videos on this (real) Malibu, I bet you will be impressed ;)... And so there is Methinks, purple princes (male), long spoon, guy on a buffalo, .... Al these names are connected to something that happened on the trail. Felix is reffered to the cat, as in Felix the cat, while he is al the time sneaky behind other people, catching up. Some want me to be 'Stamper', since I stood on a snake the other day. But we are not so convinced yet about it, so we will wait and see what names are going to stick on us.

Wat did we learn more? Ah yeah, that's right; sleeping with your feet up and slightly downhill, can make your face look like after plastic surgery. Felix now knows everything about it. We learned that getting up really early in the morning, see the sun come up while walking, taking a siesta after lunch time and walking during the night with a clear sky full of stars, are things that work out great( in the desert). And not to forget cowboy-camping. We did this yesterday and it was just marvelous. Imaging yourself lying in your warm sleepingbag (BEST BDAY PRESENT!thanks for that!!), hearing crickets and coyeties doing their animal sound, fresh air on your face and in front of you a clear shining sky full of uncountable stars. We are going to do this no tent thingy much more I guess.

Now it is evening again. We rested today after we walked 28 miles/44km (!!!!Really, it just happened) yesterday. We had a shower (three times scrubbing till the sanddirt came off), ate veggie hameburgers, got our resupply and some vitamins. Tomorrow we will get up again before sunset. So good night to you and we will post again in about 60miles.

S.

We have been to Lake Morenan Campground for the PCT Kickoff for two days. The Kickoff is organized by a lot of former PCT-hikers, who give information about the PCT and provide a meeting place for all the new hikers. After two days (do not miss the Kickoff if you want to hike the PCT), we started to walk from Lake Moreno to Mount Laguna. At that point it really felt like we were beginning of the PCT since there was no Kickoff ahead of us anymore. All that was ahead were about 2600 miles to Canada, but that were too many miles to think about. So we aimed for the next campground and walked through desert landscape in light rain and fog. It did not really feel like the desert. Not just because it was raining, also because there were a lot of beautiful plants with colorful flowers. It felt more like walking in a botanical garden.

At Mount Laguna we were all soaking wet and it was chilly. Two hikers decided to sleep on the floor of the restroom of the campground because there tents were wet and the restrooms were slightly warmer. The next day we walked 4 more miles to Laguna Campground. The owner of an outfitting store gave us the advise not to walk any further than that because wind as strong as 80 miles/ hour was expected at the ridgeline of the mountain. As we were walking it was really foggy, raining and the wind was blowing strong. But it still felt good to be on the trail. At Laguna Campground we tried to set our tents up. Since the weather became worse and the wind was so strong that our tent stakes did not hold to the ground I had to find stones and put them on the stakes. I was wet and cold when the tent finally was set up. I cannot remember the last time a hot shower felt so good. I fell asleep hoping that the tent stakes would hold...

F.

Anual zero* day pct kick off

(We are in the front, holding 2015 ;)

* a zero day means a day without hiking

And.... WE're OFF!!!!!!!!   B)

So... The backpacks are filled and full waiting to be brought into the desert.

Till the last minute before bedtime, we have be running around, originazing the last stuff. But now, it's finally on. Tomorrow morning, we will leave Scout and Frodo's* home. We will leave this incredible hikers heaven with it's great hospitality, food, people, beds.... And will walk into the dessert, where the most water is to be found on our backs.

We are excited and thrilled... Finally finally we gonna meet you PCT!! 👊

*Scout and Frodo are 'trailnames', something hikers get when they are on or around the trail. The names are born out of crazy and funny trailstories, which are always nice to ask for.

Susanne 1990 :)

Enjoying... today's modern technologies, as in; this is our first post made by an incredible smart phone 👍😊

... AND Carrot Quinn's tasteful blogposts!(see pic / website: www.carrotquinn.com )