Across California: Ran Out of Water

We did only eight miles today, which was fine by me, because it continued to be warm.  I ran out of H20. Both Platypuses Stacy lent me leaked through the seam and it was nearly impossible to keep them upright in my pack. So, I am going to switch to carry two 1-gallon ordinary store-bought jugs and a new 2-litre platy Tom is lending me, which I hope will be enough.

We are going to try to go 30 miles from here at Afton to a point a few miles south of the entrance to Ft Irwin in two days, but are bringing food for 2 1/2 days. Madeleine is suffering in the heat despite her special umbrella.

Last night, I went out to a rocky knoll to try for cell reception and forgot my sleeping/sitting pad. I could not find the knoll in the dark even with my mini-light, so I slept on just my Tyvek sheet. Madeleine found it early this morning, much to her and my delight.

It was exceptionally clear last night. The Milky Way was brilliant at 4 AM. Earlier a bright meteor flashed across a quarter of the sky, shedding a chunk along the way.

Here I am at Kelso:

Stacey on descending rings through Hole in the Wall:

--Cal French

Cal, 74, a member of the Sierra Club for 42 years, is trekking 530 miles to highlight the threatened natural corridors between the Colorado River and the Pacific Ocean. Cal sits on the Sierra Club Santa Lucia Chapter Board. He is blogging from his BlackBerry.