Posted by Mile 444.3 Acton KOA to mile 454.5 Hiker Heaven at Agua Dulce (10.2 miles, 16.4km)
Only a short day today which is great.
I was off by 5:30am in the cool of the morning and was sitting in a cafe eating breakfast by 10 in Agua Dulce done for the day.
The walking was good, mostly flat and through some crazy rock formations. The trail leads right through the San Andreas fault line where two continental plates collide, one diving down and the other lifting slightly.
Through the Vasque Rocks Park I took a wrong turn somewhere as there heaps of tracks and ended up going in a circle to find the PCT again.
Before I knew it, I was walking into town. A bunch of other hikers who I knew were in the shop or cafe having arrived yesterday and taking a zero today.
After a cooked breakfast at the only cafe in town I stocked up my food bag from the only shop in town, enough food for 5 days to get to Tehachapi.
With a full shopping bag in hand all I had to do was wait for a shuttle truck to Hiker Heaven a world renowned trail angels property.
With Jan and Andrew who I met in San Diego, Jordan from Australia and Bean Sprout we jumped in the back for the short ride to the property.
Hiker Heaven is amazing. The property becomes a tent city every night. They do your laundry for free and give you loaner clothes to wear in the meantime. There is a shower tent, an IT/recharge tent, porta toilets, hourly rides to town and twice daily rides to REI in Bakersfield, 60 miles away. Incredible. They dont want anything in return.
So the rest of the day is planning ahead and resting. I’m trying to get new shoes – maybe a ride out to REI this afternoon.
Can you pick my tent?
Mick Beckers 
Size 12 shoes now Mick?
Thinking by the time I reach Canada it might be like clown shoes. Got a lift into REI today and have gone back to my old favourites from Te Araroa but size 11. I ended that trail with 10.5.
Lovin following both you and Darwin (Darwin on the trail) on your PCT journeys! Appreciate your efforts in documenting your adventures 🙏🏻
Some of those formations look very similar to one in the Flinders Ranges. Hey, you’ve got your compass with you – its me that gets lost the a shopping car park. Your feet deserve those new shoes, as long as they fit and are for the purpose. Don’t worry about the size, we’ve all got flat feet in the family, goodness me I even take a size 10 wide. I love that you are walking with so many people from so many different cultures. Stay well. Continue enjoying your adventures around the world.
How do you stay motivated and what do you look forward to? Are there any pretty flowers?
Hey Jemma. One of life’s mottos is that life is only as interesting as the stories that you can tell. Taking on an epic adventure and seeing it through is the biggest motivator. To tell yourself, you can do anything. Set bit goals and chip away at them. Life on trail is similar to normal life in that you have some great days and some pretty crappy ones. To wake up with a gorgeous view or eat breakfast while watching the sunrise – these are bit motivators as well.
Surprising the desert is full of life and incredible diversity. It’s Spring here so there are whole hillsides lit up with colour in every colour you can imagine.
Onya mate! Good job. Keep going!
Thanks Princess! Don’t let Mr Sykes work you too hard.
Why are you putting yourself through all of this pain to just walk a really long distance and what makes you just keep going? You should bring back Glenn Sykes some American lollies for his 9/10 outdoor ed class
Read my comment to Jemma for a full explanation. Life is short. Get out there and do epic shit. Pain is temporary – feet have healed well.
What sort of lollies are you after – I’ll see what I can do but only if you keep following and asking questions.
Hi Mick, what made you want to do this walk? Do you miss Australia and your family/friends?
Erin Jones
Hey Erin. I just being outdoors and a long hike allows me to do this for 5 months! Looks of beautiful country to explore. What till I get into the Sierras and post some pics and you’ll understand better. Why this walk? There is a long trail closer to home in New Zealand but I walked that 2 years ago. The PCT was the next long trail of interest basically because how difficult it is and the diversity of terrain it goes through. What better way to see a country than on foot along its whole length.
I keep in contact with family regularly by Skype, messenger and my two way satellite communicator that sends and recieves text messages from anywhere in the world. I do miss direct contact with friends and family though but all the different people I’m meeting and walking with make up for it.
Hi mick, what is your favourite part of the trip so far
Hey Rachel. Thanks for the question. I’d have to say meeting and walking with such a diverse group of people from around the globe has been the highlight so far. Everyone out here seems to be in on the same wavelength and share similar views of life. Looks of great conversations. I must say though I’m looking forward to finishing the desert section and getting into the mountains. It was been a real challenge.
loving the posts. Keep them up.