Through Hurricane Tehachapi to Walker Pass

Last week, the National Weather Service posted a high winds warning for the Tehachapi area

You don’t say…

Remember kids, nothing builds character like hiking up hill in 40 MPH headwinds on a trail the consistency of beach sand. Sort of like hiking after downing a pint of bourbon, but with none of the fun involved. Plus, your backpack acts as a large sail, giving you an extra shove in whatever direction is least convenient.

Thursday was the worst of it. After staggering around for several hours, I was very much looking forward to the end of a 22 mile day. Ahoy Matey! Camp ahead!

Unfortunately, the camp area and water cache was located on the saddle of an exposed ridge. Valiantly, I looked around for at least a partially protected site, finally finding a low rock wall next to a pine tree.

Only next to see my poor MSR tent cry out in terror as it was promptly flattened to near horizontal status. I haven’t seen a beating like that since…you know what, never mind. Turns out if it is blowing hard enough, there’s no such thing as partial cover. The complete absence of other hikers should have been a clue.

Grumpily, I packed everything back up again and continued back on the trail (now going back uphill, of course). After a half mile or so, I located a wash that was somewhat flat if you tilted your head right, and the winds were moderately bad as opposed to completely awful. Any port in a storm.

Friday, I awoke to near freezing temperatures (more noticeable without the rain flap), and ongoing winds. This led to a highly motivated hike to Walker Pass, skipping lunch and finishing 20 miles before 3 PM.

Good news is I’m 50 miles outside of Kennedy Meadows, soon to be out of the reach of the desert section. Time to think about happier thoughts, like the abundance of bears in the Sierras.