PCT 2023 | DAYS 0-1 CLEEF + CAMPO TO MM 11.4

I started the trail a little differently this year. Instead of arriving to trail with my parents, I flew to LA and then San Diego. I used @pctsouthernterminusshuttle for a ride from San Diego to CLEEF.

It was raining from the moment I arrived in San Diego. While waiting for the shuttle, I met a few other hikers starting the same day: Brian (now “Not Dave”), Dave (now “By the Way” @imdoingthisformiles), AJ + Tom, and a few others. After stops at REI, the post office, and the Campo Green Store, we arrived at CLEEF. The rain came and went…then returned. After eating some wonderful trail magic tacos from Sailor and her husband, we moved to some indoor sleeping thanks to Camp Lockett.

Day 1 started with cloudy skies that soon turned to rain. The $80 pack cover from @zpacks broke as soon as I tried to attach it to my pack (only been used a small handful of times). It felt good to be back on trail. A completely new experience. The water at around mile 4 was flowing last year, the only water source from Campo to Lake Morena. This year, it was flowing strong. Despite the rain, I decided to switch into my @bedrocksandals sandals (it wasn’t raining at the time) and cross. Not even 5 miles in and already a get-wet water crossing. The group that was on the other side decided to cross upstream…bushwhacking through thick poison oak.

The day continued to be cold and rainy, sometimes just a mist. Other times it was a complete downpour. I crossed countless small streams as I made my way up trail. No worries about water this year. Not yet at least. I decided to stop at mile 11.4 this year. It was getting later in the day. It was cold. And there was a short break in the rain. As soon as I set up my tent, another downpour began. I dried off, changed into warm clothes, and settled in for the night.