Whitewater River & Red Dome via PCT – San Bernardino National Forest

Bandit & the Lost Scarecrow Saying goodbye is always difficult. But especially when you hiked the PCT together day in and day out for two weeks, sharing all the beauty and all the challenges. When you have a well-established team and everything was just great. It was clear for a long time that the day would come when Bandit (my trail name) and Scarecrow (Martin's trail name) would (have to) go their separate ways. Nevertheless, the sadness is difficult to overcome at first. The three-person tent is exchanged for a one-person tent, the double quilt for a solo quilt and the pot shrinks in size by half. Then the first steps alone on the trail from where there was still a couple. The first lizard that I only see alone. The first hummingbird I only watch solo, the first stumble where no one laughs. Many first times. In addition, completely new faces of hikers that I have never seen before. With a start at 11:30 a.m. I didn’t plan too much. And it's good, because today is another hot day. Luckily I cross the first real river on the PCT and get my shirt nice and wet. Then it goes over a mountain and into the next canyon, through which another small river meanders. Here, according to the comments in FarOut, the danger of getting lost on the PCT is quite high. And I'm starting to understand why. I muddle through a jungle-like landscape and cross the river umpteen times. In some places it is not so clear where to go. Nevertheless, I arrive at my destination after 22 kilometers and camp right next to the babbling river. Scott - a new face - has joined me. It's his birthday and all I can give him is some fresh spinach. That's how it is on the trail. At 8:30 p.m. they say “good night” and we listen to the concert of frogs and cicadas. 🐸