PCT, Day 9

I started at 6, walking through some pasture landscape before getting to eagle rock. This is a rock formation that looks like a gigantic eagle and it is a sacred place.

There is some more pasture including a cow and then the scenery changes into a park like section. 

From here I walk a small detour to pass through a small settlement called Warner Springs. I had sent my ice ace, micro spikes and snow baskets there. I also collect the last 8 freeze dried meals that I had imported from New Zealand. My backpack is now 2 kg heavier. 

A short road walk gets me back on trail:

The trail is fantastic today. It ascends, but there's a stream along a significant stretch, and plenty of trees providing shade.

However, it transitions to a dry area again. I realize I don't have enough water, especially since there won't be any at tonight's campsite. The next water source is about 13 km away at a private location. Despite the heat, we press on.

About 1.5 km before our campsite, there's supposed to be some trail magic today. As we walk, we spot something in the distance and do some bushwhacking to reach a car. A 26-year-old guy has set up lots of camping chairs and a table with various snacks and drinks.

I'm extremely thirsty and look for beverages. I find Gatorade in one cooler and beer and peach iced tea in the other. Although I'm not a fan of iced tea, I grab some because I don't notice other drink options.

I sit happily in one of the chairs and start drinking. The tea tastes strange, but since it's cold, I keep drinking.

Suddenly, I feel strange and slightly dizzy, almost tipsy. I check the can and realize it contains 5% alcohol! Despite only drinking half the can, I feel slightly drunk. I give the rest to someone else and grab more food to absorb the alcohol. It's scorching hot, and now I'm tipsy!

The guys joke about changing my trail name to "Twisted Tea."

Suddenly a car from the forest service stops. We think the woman in uniform might check our permits but she just asks what is going on and disappears again...  Not for long though. She comes back bringing bandanas and buff like shawls. I could not resist:

I refill one of my water bottles and then we get ready to go.

Artiving at the tent site we stay for 3 hrs in the shade before setting up tents. It is just too hot. The guys consider a third trail name for me which would be "receptionist". Reason: whenever we have a break together or at a campsite, they hear me say " oh, I have reception". They then get to their phones but usually have no reception. Anyway, I stay with "Mountain Lion".

After Dinner and setting up the tents we enjoy the sunset and soon afterwards get to sleep.

We are only three tonight. Frostbite is very fast and skipped this tent site.