[pct-l] Report from Kennedy Meadows

[Allen Downs <allendowns@sprintmail.com>]

I arrived in Kennedy Meadows on Friday, and have come home (Mt View, CA)
to pack up resupplies for the next section and to change some
equipment.  I'm back on the pct-list until I return to Kennedy Meadows
and head North, probably around this Friday.

I have been sending reports on my progress to a friend, Dave Pratt, who
has been posting them to his web site,  so for info on my trip, take a
look at http://www.dvpratt.com/downs

The last snow I saw was around Mt Badin-Powell.  The weather has been
great since I left San Gorgonio Pass a month ago.  Most of the water
sources listed as seasonal had water, and there were several unexpected
water stashes placed for PCT hikers (unfortunately I was not able to
take advantage of them; since they were "unexpected" I was already
carrying enough water).  Meadow Ed had placed several stashes, and had
told us where they would be, so I was able to take advantage of at least
one of those.  Thank you, Meadow Ed.

I stayed overnight with Donna & Jeff Saufley in Agua Dulce, and was
treated like an old friend.  It is difficult for me to attempt to
describe how it feels to be the recipient of such exceptional kindness
and generosity from complete strangers.  They made all of us feel like
members of their family (there were 11 hikers plus Donna and Jeff for
dinner at an all-you-can-eat restaurant, following a shopping trip to a
sports store, Walmart, etc., both organized by Donna).  They provided
transportation and access to a shower, a washer & dryer, a kitchen, a
telephone, a TV & VCR, and a bed.  I feel that I have made two
wonderful, generous new friends.

Walt & Pat and I spent an afternoon with Jack Fair who allowed us to
take a shower, and provided transportation to a local restaurant for
lunch.  I left at 6 PM in order to cover as much desert as possible
during the cooler night hours.  Jack is a unique character and a great
resource for PCT hikers.

From Big Bear City, Bill McConnell picked me up at the Post Office and
delivered me to the trail.  From Tehachapi, Terry Larson picked me up at
the motel and delivered me to the trail.  Both of these gentlemen are
involved in PCT maintenance, and make themselves available to help us
hikers.  They certainly qualify as "Trail Angels".

The following information from the trail register at the Kennedy Meadows
General Store concerns some of the other hikers who are ahead of me.
Here are names and dates from the register:

22 May    Will Stenzel
27 May    Donna Normas, Lara Street (& Jason?)
28 May    Charlotte Clews
29 May    Nathan Martin
4 June    Robert "Little Bear", Allen Downs (me!)

Not far behind me are:
Gen & Dana, Walt & Pat, Robert Bedichek, Ron Vaughn, Rebecca & Debra,
Brian, Mary, and Karen.

I'm sure there are also others; these are the ones I know.

Allen Downs



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