January 13, 2022

Section Hike on the Pacific Crest Trail – Day 5

January 13, 2022

August 5th, 2021 – Day 5

Lake Valhalla to Steven’s Pass

Last night I stayed in an established campground site next to Lake Valhalla. It was also the first time I solo tented next to anyone else. I enjoyed the camaraderie of setting up next to hikers, making new friends, and hearing their stories. As much as I enjoyed the socializing, at bedtime, I missed the quiet of a solo campsite. I’m too tired, dare I say old, from hiking to stay up and chat, lol.

A funny thing about this, going a bit off topic, is I am amazed I am not scared solo camping. The first time solo camping was in May. I was on the PCT in the southern California desert 5 miles from the Mexican border. As much as I disliked the weather/terrain I wasn’t scared of being alone.

This is going way off topic. When Mark and I first had children, I decided I wanted to learn to camp. Mark had only “camped” on sailboats when he was in high school and college. Basically, I was on my own to learn this. I checked out every book about camping from the library I could get my hands on. This was before the Internet. I researched as much as I could. We then went to Sears and bought a tent, stove, sleeping bags, probably closed cell foam pads (I can’t remember), the usual car camping items.

Anyway, the first time I camped, I took my 2 year old daughter Alyssa to a KOA campground about 10 miles away. Sarah was too young, so Mark stayed home with her. I couldn’t even figure out how to set the tent up properly. Someone saw me struggling and helped me out. Alyssa and I had a blast until bedtime. Then Alyssa started crying because she wanted to go home. LOL. We woke up the next morning, headed home, and that was the start of our car camping. After that start, Mark and I took many car camping vacations as a family to National Parks. Once a year, in the summer, I took the girls back to visit my parents in the Midwest. We often car camped on the way. Most of the times at KOA’s. Sometimes at neat places like Mount Rushmore or Devil’s Tower. Anyhow… after a very long drawn out story… I think this is the reason I am not scared to camp alone.

It took me three days to hike in, two to hike back. My legs are stronger and I feel much more confident about my backpacking experience.