Day 41 - Fire!!!

Walker Pass to Mile 672.8 - 20.8 miles

One of the biggest barriers to putting together a continuous hike from Mexico to Canada is fire. Last year most of Washington State was closed due to fire. Coming off a ridge at mile 665 at around 3.30pm I noticed a plume of smoke billowing up behind the ridge where we here heading

The clouds overhead darkened within the hour and the sun was soon glowing red/orange

I'd been hiking with Buff & we chose to push on after getting water at a rare spring. But 3/4 way up the climb Buff & a girl were heading back down saying it was too doubtful. I knew my fellow kiwi Becks was ahead of me and I pushed on to the campsite at the top of the ridge. Becks was surveying the scene about 3 miles from the site

Huge fire tanker planes were dropping fire retardant etc to control the blaze. Becks is an exceptional tramper & has fire control background from her time at DOC - I trust her instincts more than anyone else out here. Her best estimates were that the PCT might be affected for 2 to 3 miles so we set up camp to reconsider our options in the morning - decisions made by reason rather than emotion although we both are determined to complete a continuous walk of the PCT.
Earlier in the day we had caught the bus out from Lake Isabella fir a 6.20 am start at Walker Pass with a tough 2000 foot slog to kick off the day. We had great views over the Mojave out towards China Lake where there is a naval air base (who were always seemingly within earshot)

Late morning I caught up to Mommy (Jessica), Tea Time (Ben) and Daniel who were doing there best to shelter from the intense heat. After a rest I pushed on with a further 1000 foot climb in the heat to get to the next water.
But the fire has certainly put us in a quandary for making it to Kennedy Meadows. Watching the fire fighters table the blaze was a comulsory watch with the fire spots at night looking like the lights on a Wellington suburb. To add "icing" to the day Becks plan to cowboy camp (no tent) was derailed when she discovered a scorpion under her pillow....Weta