Last night we realized that from our campsite at Kennedy Canyon to HWY 108, where we planned to hitchhike from, it was 11 miles. 
With only a cliff bar left in my bear can and a cliff bar and oatmeal left in Replay's bear can we both hoped we would be in town at least by lunch. Our energy levels were a bit low and the trail was intense. There were moments of breakdown as the trail wound up and up along broken iron bits. I know that my legs were moving at a snails pace and I'm sure the two steps forward one step backward was also plaguing Replay. I did however start to reward myself with each little accomplishment. It was almost a mind game at that point. When I made it to the top of the Old Jeep Road I took off my pack and did a couple stretches. After crossing the "notch," an intense don't fall off the edge mile long section, I indulged in half of my last remaining cliff bar.
With only a cliff bar left in my bear can and a cliff bar and oatmeal left in Replay's bear can we both hoped we would be in town at least by lunch. Our energy levels were a bit low and the trail was intense. There were moments of breakdown as the trail wound up and up along broken iron bits. I know that my legs were moving at a snails pace and I'm sure the two steps forward one step backward was also plaguing Replay. I did however start to reward myself with each little accomplishment. It was almost a mind game at that point. When I made it to the top of the Old Jeep Road I took off my pack and did a couple stretches. After crossing the "notch," an intense don't fall off the edge mile long section, I indulged in half of my last remaining cliff bar. Upon reaching the sign for the Sonora Pass Replay and I both gave a hip hip hooray cry of relief. 
Of course that was before we saw what was ahead- a twisting, turning, path that seemed to have no end!
Of course that was before we saw what was ahead- a twisting, turning, path that seemed to have no end! It took us 45 minutes to reach the highway. When landed on the pavement and looked down at our watches they read 11:41. 
In actuality the walk hadn't taken any longer than predicted. Our need for food was so insistent that it had precluded all rational thoughts. Of course celebrations were not had immediately. We still had to find a ride into town and a fellow PCT hiker had already been there for 5 hours with no luck.
In actuality the walk hadn't taken any longer than predicted. Our need for food was so insistent that it had precluded all rational thoughts. Of course celebrations were not had immediately. We still had to find a ride into town and a fellow PCT hiker had already been there for 5 hours with no luck. Many cars passed us, some stopping to offer us food, other smiling with a wave that said they didn't have room, and more than 3 stopping to make sure the full breaded crazy looking man beside us wasn't a threat. We assured them all that we were fine. We just needed a ride into town.
It seemed like hours passed, but in reality it was only 1 hour before we were in the back of a honda wedged in between hiking poles, camping supplies, and random tokens from across the US. Our kind drivers were Israeli. They had rented a car and were driving to Bishop. All of us gave them suggestions where to stop to camp and where the worst mosquitoes were. Soon enough we were at the General Store raiding the aisles to satisfy our food cravings. 
By the end of our adventure in the grocery store we had a full bag filled with chips, apples, yogurt, chocolate, cookies, ice cream, juice, gatorade, and popsicles. Honestly I've never been so hungry in my life!
By the end of our adventure in the grocery store we had a full bag filled with chips, apples, yogurt, chocolate, cookies, ice cream, juice, gatorade, and popsicles. Honestly I've never been so hungry in my life! Unfortunately we were forced to act like savages outside the Bridgeport Inn. The hours of operation were from 10-1 and 3-9. As it was 1:30 we agreed that moving too far away from our home for the night was ridiculous. There was a perfectly good shady spot right next to the building. Within minutes, the entire contents of the bag was gone. Ah Heaven!
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