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Crimson's avatar

wow! i can't believe that's all there for ppl to hike through and not many do!! i've always been curious, how did you learn about everything you encounter? is it stuff you've learned like prehike? or do you learn it as you go hiking? idk if that makes sense xD and ick, i hate toothaches (i have one now too LOL), it's already july so hopefully you're feeling better?

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Au Naturel's avatar

Some of it I know because I've been wandering around naked in these hills for 40 years now.

Some of it I know because I was a (not naked) docent at a county park for a while.

But... iNaturalist has added 100% to my ability to identify flora and fauna.

https://www.inaturalist.org/

The PCT can get pretty remote. This isn't even that remote. There are still sections that are more suggestions that an actual footpath.

The truth is that not only do people rarely leave the beaten path, they rarely get onto the beaten path to begin with. When they do, it is usually in groups because they are there to socialize and on the weekend because that's when they are free. The exceptions are thru-hikers and hunters and that is seasonal and easily predicted.

I have a lot of areas I can hike in but since summer is here in full intensity, I'm limited to high elevations which I have to share with others escaping the heat. The PCT hike I wrote about is much too hot to do now. Twenty-something me wouldn't mind but I don't have the heat tolerance I had as a kid. Temps over 90F (32C) leave me exhausted and I need shade and breeze to free-hike in the 80s.

The antibiotic knocked down the infection. I hope it stays down because I have an endodontist appointment in a week.

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Ron Shewchuk's avatar

You always make your treks in solitary scrub forests so interesting. Step by step, hill by hill they always lure me in.

It was pointed out to me that we here in north central Quebec, Canada share some similar looking plants to one in your territory, have a look on line, ours is a beautiful tall purple flower (Lupin), yours is that seemingly poisonous, pretty, purple PDB…….. Be Careful Out There..

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Au Naturel's avatar

We have lupins as well. They are pretty easy to tell apart by their leaves.

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Abhijit's avatar

I am always eager to read your trail stories. This is one more & the latest.. I have a feeling that I am reading a fairy tale when I read your trail stories. Genuinely you are very courageous man to do such trails at your this age. It is remarkable.

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Phillip's avatar

Thanks for the interesting article & the great photos! It looks like such a beautiful area to hike.

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William's avatar

Nice description of the hike, mind those soar shoulders

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Kevin Tso's avatar

Hope you’re recovering from that tooth ache! Great commentary and photos.

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Au Naturel's avatar

I see a dentist Mon. morning. In the mean time, I have Tramadol and Ibuprofen and Tylenol. WNBR is a once a year event with hundreds of participants and I hated to miss it.

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James's avatar

Thank you Fred for your lovely post. Great vegetation descriptions and trail commentary.

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Ken Carlisle's avatar

Please add to Naked VIPs.

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Au Naturel's avatar

Do you want me to link to the article or just post a summary?

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Ken Carlisle's avatar

A summary would be fine. Be sure to mention that others can find out more by chatting with you.

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Aaron Howe's avatar

Thanks Fred. I always enjoy the descriptions/photos of your journeys. Hope you are feeling better soon.

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Au Naturel's avatar

The antibiotic seems to be working. There is a lot less pain today. This is just bad timing. Had it hit Thursday night instead of Friday, I'd have made the WNBR on Saturday.

The WNBR only happens once a year here. Now I have to wait 364 days for the next one. 😥

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Dave's avatar

I love living vicariously through you. You are living the dream. Thank you for sharing your hikes with us. I do enjoy reading them.

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Au Naturel's avatar

Wow! I don't think I've ever had anyone ever say they lived vicariously thru me. It gives me a whole new perspective.

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Ness's avatar

I wish I could be out there!

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