
14June2022 Betsy dropped me off at the Centennial Hills Transit Station where I boarded an express city bus to downtown. Connecting with the Amtrak bus was not a problem. The bus also picked up passengers at the South Transit Terminal, and stopped in Barstow for a 40 minute break before heading to Bakersfield. The bus also stopped in Mojave and Tehachapi before arriving in Bakersfield on time. I was able to hop a city bus up to Lake Isabella and found my motel without a problem.



Early the next morning I was fully packed, back at the bus stop. By 7 am, I was at Walker Pass Trailhead, eager and willing to hit the trail. Thru-hikers who had camped at Walker Pass were now up and also eager to hit the trail. I started up with vim and vigor.


Within about 10 minutes, my back started to kill me. It was something that I just could not ignore, as it got worse and worse as hiking when on. Soon, the pain from the backpack dominated all thinking. I knew that something was wrong, and that I could not go on with the status quo. So, after about 1.7 miles and an hour on the trail, I turned around. I caught an 8:50 bus back to Lake Isabella, and was able to get back home by 1 am the next morning, though it would have been much sooner had I realized the problem with taking public transportation through the Strip late at night. The Strip is a zoo at night.
So, what am I going to do? I have a lot of options available. The first thing is to change how I did things from the start. This morning, I repacked everything in the Gossamer Gear Gorilla. To my surprise, everything fit. I figured out additional means of lightening up the load. I’ll probably only take four liters, and hopefully not start on a very hot day. Doing the trail with somebody could help. Training hikes with a full pack will be necessary, which I’ll start in the next few days. With the aching bones, being careful to maintain a Ibuprofen on board will be totally relevant.
If I find that I can’t manage, then I will do a road trip to pick up my resupply mailings at Kennedy Meadows South, Independence, and Kennedy Meadows North. The VVR package will be left for a needy person or two. It’s in God’s hands. Meanwhile, I’m home with Betsy, the love of my life, and life doesn’t get any better than that!
So sorry that happened for you Ken. May you start again soon and the new pack arrangements work out for you!
I let my guard down, and I caught Covid. Just getting back on feet. Take care!
So sorry to hear you trip hit a snag. I hope you get all the rest your body needs, and maybe you can hit the trail again soon. Will keep you in my prayers.
Maybe you are not fit enough to do an extended hike. Would the Forks Over Knives diet plus the right dietary supplements put you in shape? Glucosamine-Chondroitin for joints and back? Dottie and I have no bodily pains and are lively. Karen was right …
Although you do not live in the strip, it is apparently within your sphere of influence.
I have another hiking idea for you: come down here to Mountain Equestrian Trails, up the road from us, and have Jim Bevis take you on a jungle venture. It will be different and you can be treated for backache from the vines that grow in the jungle.
Thank you, Dr. Dennis. I’m happy that you could make such informed recommendations having no clue as to my medical conditions nor what I am taking to treat those problems. Bevis and Butthead can keep their jungle; I have no interest in jungle escapades. And no, I won’t go swinging from the vines like Tarzan.
“The Strip is a zoo at night.”
The animals are let out of their cages at night.