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In Etna in the evening. Hot food, shower, WiFi camping at the city park.

Going to be hot the next few days. It cooler on the trail at altitude.

Walked past this fire today.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/SiskiyouAlerts/permalink/1442184549500267/

They where driving out the jumpers today on a dirt road that parallels the trail. There was a noice of a machine. Guessing it a pump. Few ponds near by so they might have been watering the last bits.

Smoke is clearing.

Top of the big climb. Smoke greatly improved when I climbed out of this valley and into the next.

Middle of the afternoon could see smoke from a small fire. A section hike said they saw the smoke jumpers parachute in to fight it. I believe the trail is on the ridge above the fire. The trail does a huge loop staying on top of the ridges while it works it’s way West.

Town breakfast to start the day.

“Jooper” is heading home. Blistering from his shoulder straps and heat have him wisely getting off the trail. I had weeks to transition to the heat and anyone just jumping into is going to be challenged. Additionally the smoke from the fires around here is progressively getting thicker. There is a visible layer of ash on the car now. I am hopeful my westward direction and climb out of this valley will get me out of the smoke. One hiker has burning eyes and another notices it while breathing.

Doing a half day. Stopped at the base of the big climb out of this valley. Camped at Disappearing Creek. 2160’ climb in four miles for the start of the day. Cool and morning sun will greatly help the effort.

Warm day. Could smell smoke from time to time in some of the little valleys. Smoky in the even while eating dinner.

Smoke from the near by fires is getting close. Was just visible from behind Mt Shasta earlier in the day.

Derek came up to check is out. It obviously used to humans. It likely looking for salt.

Mark the “Jooper” is joining me for a section. He is a long time friend from Richland, WA. Knew me when I was still a teenager. We raced bikes together over the years. He transitioned to hiking long before I did from the bike. In 2014 he attempted a through hike of the PCT and stopped due to injury.

While the upcoming section to I-5/Mt Shasta is fairly “calm” the heat is greatly increasing the difficulty and risk. Previous days getting here was +100° it is forecasted for high 90°s. Water sources are pretty good. Think there is only one +10 miles water carry.