The Wonderland Journal

Miles hiked: 18 miles

Mile marker: 1530.7

Total ascent: 4600 ft

Total descent: 1200 ft

The next morning begins pretty late as Rafiki and I start the ascent with the sun appearing to say “Good morning!”

We walk along a dirt path with a lot of bright green shrubs. We have to bushwhack about 100 feet up a dry creek bed to reach water. Rafiki uses a leaf and a rock to redirect the water, making a faucet that flows easily into our water bladders. 

The mountains open up to the left as I walk along the ridge. I’m listening to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone while I walk. 

Mount Shasta can be seen from the gap into between two mountains. I’m looking at the view when I see a brown speck moving. 

A bear!

He’s about a half mile away, but pauses for a couple minutes. 

“He must have gotten into a good berry bush,” Rafiki says. 

Second bear I’ve seen on trail!

We stop for lunch, which is always a busy time that includes using the restroom, cooking, eating, cleaning the pot, getting my snacks for later today, throwing my pocket trash away, making an afternoon coffee. I don’t always rest much during lunch. 

The after lunch walk is hot. I’m moving slowly, too. 

I’ve realized how much I rely on people out here. At home, I rely on my Christian community to keep my faith strong. Out here, I feel pretty alone. People think I’m close to Gos out here, in nature. But I don’t connect with nature in the same way others do, and I’m frustrated about it. 

It’s hard to keep up with my faith out here. Even praying to God, and my mind wanders a millions miles away. I know there are things I can do to fix this, but it’s still tough. I listen to a sermon almost everyday (as of the past couple of weeks) but reading the bible itself isn’t too much an option. I’m walking all the time. 

I can also listen to stuff, but I have to know what to look for and need to download it when I have service. 

I’m disappointed in myself for not pursuing God out here. 

We camp early. Rafiki and I have a beautiful view of Mount Shasta. The sky is pink and the tip top of Shasta grows pale purple. A bat flies overhead — this is a good thing, as they eat the pesky mosquitos. We camp near two other hikers, and end up having dinner with a Brit named Captain. 

A brown hummingbird flies right in between our conversation! Her wicked fast wings thrum loudly as she pauses for a second, then continues on. 

I’m also wearing one sandal since I lost mine yesterday! I feel pretty dumb and also officially like a crackhead as I limp around like I’ve got snaggletooth feet. 

We barely hiked at all today it seems. We’ll be trying for 30 tomorrow!