Day 37 | The Bird Attack | Pacific Crest Trail Thru Hike

[@MikPetter]

Keep on hiking the way you like. you’re doing great, and the videos are top class 👍👍🤘

[@libraryfiles4470]

Enough fear mongering about the Sierras, get your butt up those mountains woman! You are doing an outstanding job. You’ve got this. You have shed the tramily weight and are in beast mode. LETS GO!

[@itguy11]

I love what you're doing. Ignore the noise and enjoy YOUR hike. Too many opinions about others lives sometimes.

[@frankscafidi7942]

It's a C-130J model--the newest of the C-130s. The one you filmed is most likely from the California Air National Guard, 146th Airlift Wing located at Channel Islands Air National Guard Station which is part of the Naval Base, Pt. Mugu (formerly located at Van Nuys Airport). The material you see being dropped is most likely water. This C-130 is outfitted with a MAFFS (Modular Airborbe Fire Fighting System) and they normally drop a reddish fire retardant when fighting forest/wild fires. The unit at Channel Islands is one of only two in the US Air Force/Guard with MAFFS. The other is the 152nd Airlift Wing, Nevada Air National Guard, located at Reno Airport. You'll likely see much more military aircraft as you head north. Keep on truckin', you're doing a heck of a job. And your updates are most entertaining and informative.

[@KenConnolly-po2dz]

You seem way happier and you are very funny!

[@all-to-Him-I-owe100]

Hmmm…your hiking style, and feeling invigorated by pushing yourself, as well as needing a bit of space from folks - I get it girl! Totally get it! Go RR go!!! Okay and the birds 😂- those black birds are SO smart! My grandma in Cali would hand feed them fruit from her porch in the mornings - they LOVED her!

[@wio2189]

It's a lack of electrolytes most likely (or UTI). Thanks for the video & happy trails

[@sinflanter5487]

Your drive to hike your own hike even when your tramily wants to do something different is inspiring honestly. There is no singular way to enjoy nature, it is up to each of us to answer that question for ourselves. I also admire your take on fear and how you don't let it control your life, you hear the concerns and then you investigate the situation and decide if that situation is dangerous for you and your personal skill level and confidence level, I think its a perfect way to do things, evaluate as you go and be flexible if you need to be. As far an the plane, I cant be sure but my guess is it belongs to one of the fire fighting organizations in Southern California. Pilots have to fly for so many hours a year to maintain their license, so my guess is a pilot doesn't want their license to expire and so they are spending the day doing training flights. This is supported by the small plane flying in front of the big one which fire fighters will use a guide plane to lead the planes that drop the water through the smoke safely. Another supporting detail is the cloud you showed that the plane released is likely to imitate dropping the chemicals to fight the fire. They wouldn't want to drop the actual chemicals if they didn't need to as they are expensive to replace and potentially could be harmful to the environment for no reason. Also it could hurt if it landed on someone. I'm not an expert on the subject so I could be wrong.

[@user-wx7wg5cn1m]

Sounds about right to this guy. Nice going 🧘🏼🙏

[@gabriele1975]

I just busted out laughing when you said "he looked me in the eyes"! 😅🤣😂.......... Silly old bird!

[@janettackett7659]

You are crushing the miles!!! Great job! It's really fun to follow along and see how you are hitting your stride! ❤🎉

[@joecapers6743]

Airplane - C-130 Hercules!

[@michaelbutler4961]

Yep

[@karencaskey6210]

It's MUCH drier here in California compared to Florida. Family that come to visit us from more humid climates have the same problem. I highly recommend regularly applying chapstick with sunscreen in it. That should help. The planes you saw were practicing for water and retardant drops during fire season. The smaller plane is the spotter for the larger tanker plane. Those pilots are some of the best!

[@RockyMtnWay_406]

This ⬆️ 100% The front plane is the "spotter" for the big one, showing it where to drop.

[@marklanders630]

Hiking at someone else's pace is exhausting!

[@richardwebb5317]

Ravens playing in the wind is a joy. They watch you - just in case you leave some of your lunch behind. They follow me on the hills of Scotland in case I am a deer stalker and they get to clean up after a deer is gralloched (gutted). They are very smart.

[@egijsbers1]

Hitchcock(Birds) on trail😂😂😂 I can also relate to hiking your own pace and distance. It is your journey As You seem a lot happier it was the right decision 👍👍👍👍

[@joesoutdoorplaces]

I’m glad that you are happy with your new sleeping pad. I’m also glad you are hiking at your preferred pace. That rabbit let you get close. The ravens were only welcoming you. They are happy to see a Road Runner.

[@EricSpriggs]

I'm totally with you on hiking, speed and style. I've always had issues with hiking groups because I'm the type that'll hike 10 to 12 hours with not much more than a potty break. I don't let my muscles cool down until I'm done for the day. And that seems to drive other people nuts.😊

[@blakemcclenny4914]

Your videos are great. Thanks for putting in the time to make these!

[@ronr3656]

Another 26.6 miles for the lady they said wouldn't make it 2 weeks on the AT, much less the PCT. You go girl!

[@catpatrick3838]

Your lips are drying out from the sun and wind. Not to mention you are in a dry climate as opposed to humid Florida. I also live in a humid state, when I go hiking in west TX or NM, AZ, CO and NV, my lips look very similar to yours now. Get some lip balm with sunscreen next time you're doing a resupply. I carry chapstick with spf15 (blue and black tube) everywhere, especially hiking, and it's great. It's not a hydration issue, it's the environment you're in and exposure to sun and wind. Happy trekking! 🥾

[@stone8654]

That Airplane is tripping out on seeing a Roadrunner on a mountain side lol🙃 Go Roadrunner Go! 👟😎👍🏼

[@TheHikingChick1]

I don't want a tick to say, "How you doin' " to my lady parts either!😂😂😂 You crack me up! 🌻💛 I would say get more electrolytes on board regarding the urination question, but I'm not a doctor. 😉

[@jimmyjohnstone5878]

Hiking at your own pace is what makes you happy. Your style is to walk briskly and in your own rhythm. Compromising on the pace to keep in contact with other people would spoil your hike. Chap wasn't prepared to compromise on his desired pace, and made his decision to be a city tourist. Each to their own. Once you reach the Sierras you can evaluate what the snow cover is and when is best for you to start out on that section. It's all logical. Stick to doing what is best for you and if that happens to coincide with Chap, or any other hikers, then fine. If you are on a completely different hiking pace to others, that's no problem. Hike your own hike.

[@philipyoho8115]

Oh, I hear ya about hiking slower. When I solo, I tend to do what you do. Hike fast and long. When I lead groups or hike with others, which I love, it's much slower and usually shorter and it takes more of a toll on my body. So yeah, makes sense to me. lol @ bird attack, "He looked me in my eyeballs". hahaha Wow, windy! Harmless snake. OMG lol @ "tick sayin, how you doin!" Looks like a military plane. Maybe they're just getting in their flight hours and or training. The military still has old planes and they do train in them. Usually for special events. Hmm. Maybe I'm wrong. Great day! Thanks again for sharing the journey. Safe travels and happy trails. :)

[@fredculver7401]

you are absolutely right about hiking speed even as a senior hike I enjoy hiking at my speed

[@kevinpemberton6740]

I am really enjoying your videos. Hike your hike they way you enjoy hiking. The only thing I can add is it will be a good idea to have a hiking buddy when you reach the serrias. Keep the great videos comming

[@nonieebeling6321]

"He looked me in my eyeballs." 😂😂😂

[@ericevans9257]

Great videos. Hope to do a trail high five as I pass you SOBO.

[@RavenHikes]

Just found you off another hiker I followed. You are so right…you can’t hike a hike like this with fear. Looks like the first part of the Sierra’s is looking good. BTW I’m Native American and those Ravens were not attacking just giving you good spirits on the trail. They are very intelligent birds and are very intuitive. They liked you. Love your spunk…love that you did your own thing and went for it. I was like…this is the person I want to watch hike the PCT. I’m rethinking my AT hike now lol

[@user-wx7wg5cn1m]

I’m with you on this one my Native American brother!🙏

[@RavenHikes]

@@user-wx7wg5cn1m sister 😀

[@rondawil2845]

Lol loved the fast mode..ROADRUNNER IN ACTION..I know exactly what you mean...you have a faster stride than others and harder circumstances do make you feel accomplished..and one day at a time is the way to go.. you got this... don't let people get to you Blessings and safe trails

[@susietopspin]

Hike your own hike like we all say. I totally get it. I can’t go slow (and I’m by no means as fast as you) and would rather hike my own pace and meet up at stops. Nobody knows what you like more than you do.😎. Happy trails.🤘🏻🥾⛰️

[@KevinRStrauss]

Wow, that seemed like one of your most amazing days on the PCT yet! Maybe the extra hydration (& peeing) contributed to how good you felt? I know it does for me. Isn't it incredible how a few inches on a sleeping pad can make so much difference? That early start looked so peaceful! And yes, if I hike, run, bike, etc. at my non-natural pace it doesn't feel so good. ☮️❤️🤝

[@Fistmele]

Lol, you and birds. You are so polite explaining the way you hike. I spent some years in the Sierra, you just have to go because you don't k own what you'll get.

[@kelbud43]

Although you left earlier than I did. I was told that I would need to average 20 miles a day (including zeros) to make it to Canada before the snow hits in the fall. Others focus more on just having fun and going at a slower pace. They probably won't make it to Canada, but they'll have fun. You strike me as one who enjoys meeting a challenge - that is fun for you. Keep on running RR and thanks for your videos.

[@annebarch7751]

I didn’t think you two would stay together, different styles, just like on the AT

[@charltor6]

You were near their nest so they were harassing you away, but not so close they’d outright attack you (scratch your head from behind). I get that sometimes out running. Nice escape. Great hiking. Stay safe, have fun!!!

[@user-wx7wg5cn1m]

Good call 👍

[@rosemarymcleod4074]

Awesome video. Them birds dive bomb me and look me in my eyeballs 🤣😂🤣 You keep me laughing the entire video. Your videos are good for the soul!

[@TheGrandmateresa]

I am glad you are doing your own hike. I was disappointed with the breakup of your tramily but know it is part of trail life. Glad that Lil Chap addressed the separation on his video today, Congratulations on new sleeping pad, glad you 'bonded' immediately!! See ya tomorrow!!! Be safe.

[@lilygg8018]

Oh I love that fast walking in true roadrunner style!

[@glenloewen7507]

You are a machine with all them miles! I’m really enjoying your videos - thanks for making them.

[@T_Mo271]

For those following along at home: 11:00 that's Bouquet Reservoir (part of the LA Aqueduct system).

[@ajparks79]

I agree 100% with you on trying to hike someone elses pace...very tiring.

[@ericgamble9153]

Remembering your comments from the beginning days of your AT hike, there is NO question that you love being out there! Last week, I had a similar experience of hiking much more slowly than my regular pace, & it exhausted me so much that I just had to plop down for an hour to rest, even though I only had half a mile to go. The saying, ‘hike your own hike’ is so true. I believed at first that the large airplane was a military cargo plane, but when you showed it dropping something, I’m no longer sure. Carry on! Beep! Beep!

[@jimmyjenkins9240]

I so enjoyed this video! I enjoyed you being you and all the accents😂

[@KauaiBeeDoug]

I hiked in 2000... I used an old Indian trick i was taught... find a small round pebble and keep it in your mouth. it reduces thirst and keeps your mouth moist. i am enjoying watching your trip.

[@user-wx7wg5cn1m]

Good one to know- thanks! 🌱🌿🧘🏼🙏

[@elizabethcoates3916]

Your pace is picking up RR, you go girl. I know exactly what you mean about being tired when you hike too slow. I am a walker, not a hiker and at times I walk with people that are slower than me, I just can’t do it, it’s exhausting. Keep on keepin on!

[@woodswalker3088]

I love your videos. I love that you are free to hike your hike. I laughed so much about those birds! Are you sure they didnt just swing by to say Hi lol So happy you get to hike your feel good pace

[@walterweinstein1612]

That airplane with two propellers, a military cargo plane, is very similar to the "planes used during the Berlin Airlift, June 1948 to May 1949, that carried food and other supplies to West Berlin, as all other methods of transport were blocked."

[@memathews]

Well, all questions answered by other commenters. I'm just here to boost the algo today. Your hiking explanation makes perfect sense, hike on!

[@judithpearson3968]

HYOH! Ignore the people who criticize you for hiking fast. I love the way you hike, plus I love that you're a purist. You don't miss much - nature or otherwise on the trails I've seen you hike. Thanks, btw, for all the views you share. The bird may have been a she, and she may have been protecting a nest. I know, and you know that you wouldn't bother her nest, but she didn't know that. The PCT is a beautiful trail. Thanks for taking me along. Take care. Stay safe. See you tomorrow.

[@deha5084]

People with opinions about the speed of your hike wish they could hike as fast. It is interesting to note that I have not seen negative comments about how fast men hike. Hmmmm....Keep being you.

[@cavemandancer]

You actually enjoy more of it, seeing more of it. You're hiking the PCT...how awesome is that. Duck the naysayers.

[@washingtonfarmer2431]

Solo Hiking: Hike your pace [my pace is slow]. Stop when and where you want. Take photos. Take time to listen to nature and the wind. Camp where you want. My preferred style. Understand your comments.

[@65adventures63]

LOL the birds were just having fun riding the air currents

[@johnreyes1749]

Yes the mindset is accomplish what your goal is, you are so correct about hiking, if you are on a leisure hike then you can take your time but if you’re hiking with a schedule then it’s with a sense of urgency, and as for the C-130 flying around, you are probably not far from Edward’s AFB, you will probably be seeing a lot more military aircraft. Enjoying going along for the hike😉

[@NeilBuckley-wp1mk]

We are gonna be crossing the PCT in Yosemite in July. It would be so cool to run into you! Love your channel and your attitude. You’re gonna make it all the way! My wife is a Southerner and she says you have the accent nailed😊! BTW, we are from Central Florida.

[@scottstaats7408]

Love that fast-forward speed-hikin!

[@Mikey-Likes-It_101]

RR: I have watched every one of your PCT videos and today’s (May 8) was the best so far. I love your commentary, and thank you for showing the trail now and then, feels like I am hiking with you (since I can’t do it anymore). I enjoy your videos so much. That aircraft is a military aircraft on training exercise. That aircraft type is also used for fighting wildfires. BTW - Don’t ever watch Alfred Hitchcock’s THE BIRDS.

[@Cindyscrossstitch]

That bird 😂 it was windy to. All you are doing is in nature. Enjoy the journey 👣🌻

[@wendypelaez9305]

I love your hikes!

[@shawntatro8681]

9:32 I had a similar experience with ravens. It followed me when I was in a car for nearly 2 miles down the mountain at Olympic NP. Completely freaked me out. I spoke to some native Americans and they said it could be someone watching over me, someone who had passed and they were looking out for me.

[@RC-qf3mp]

It could be an enemy who passed away and is now trying to poop on your head. Watch out.

[@berniebroering7438]

The larger aircraft is possibly a USFS or Cal Fire C-130 tanker to fight fires by dropping water or fire retardent on or around a forest fire. The smaller aircraft is the spotter who "routes" the larger craft into the fire and watches for the tnker. Hike on! Cheers!

[@tylerbarley5860]

First comment had it right. It's a c-130. Either military or state airforce. They can drop water or insecticides. Love your channel. Appreciate what you do. Best of luck

[@captainrobbins7130]

"She's spotted on the trail. We got her, boys. Blue team go!"

[@chrisnorris76]

😂. This gave me a penguin’s of Madagascar feel!!

[@mars_hikes967]

They are probably doing training for firefighting. It is common to have a small guide plane and then a big tanker following it. The small plane often marks the drop zone and then the tanker releases tons of water in the exact spot. The C-130 is a military transport aircraft (introduced in 1954) but they are also used to fight fires. Next year on the CDT you will see them all the time but don't worry, they fly huge distances. You only need to worry when you see them doing water drops as you don't want to get it on your head as it is like a hail storm. It can easily rip off the roof of a car. Firefighting with aircrafts is dangerous, Coulson unfortunately lost a C-130 in Australia, along with the entire crew of 3. Also your lips are sunburned and not dehydrated. Smear some burtsbees on it and they will recover. You can tell from the color of your pxx if you are drinkin too much water. If it's silver you are over hydrated. There is an actual well documented bird attack spot on the PCT but it is north of Lake Tahoe. Even I had no problem controlling the bird with my trekking poles. If you do nothing at all the bird will attack your head with its claws.

[@chrisnorris76]

Well great now I have a new fear!😂

[@Hikingin70sshorts]

The Ravens remind me of Bad Company’s “Seagull” Seagull you fly, across the horizon Into the misty morning sun. Nobody asks you where you are going, and nobody knows where your from.

[@tujungadave]

I know what you mean by your hiking speed. I have my own pace and if I'm hiking with someone else that's either slower, or faster than me it becomes uncomfortable and it's not fun. Ravens. Ravens are smart and curious birds. They were not attacking you. They were just checking you out and playing in the wind. I have a pair of ravens that live in my yard. They mate every year and raise their offspring. I sometimes feed them bread crumbs. It's gotten to the point now where I can get within a few feet away from them and talk to them. I've never, ever, heard of anyone being attacked by a Raven.

[@denisegrelle4589]

You are doing great and crushing it!

[@heatherbenson640]

I’m doing the TRT late July, going ccw. Would be so much fun to run into you! Glad you are enjoying your hike. Btw, got introduced to you by Ledge from the AT. He is my husbands cousin.

[@philipthompson5796]

In your shot of the C-130, the big plane. It is dropping retardant on fires probably. You may not have noticed, but there's a smaller plane in front of it. That's a spotter, that guides the tanker into the target for whatever they're dropping. Loving your videos.

[@shawnbryan5922]

Additional information: they are training for fire season. They were just dropping a small amount of water. For an actual fire, they would be dropping the red colored fire retardant.

[@bridgetrunshikessurfs]

The sierras are much funner with some snow! You got this!

[@tomsquires638]

Doing a great job continuing hike your own hike

[@charlesfrazier2908]

OK. I'm back to watching you again. It's good to see you back on the trial. Good luck and have fun!

[@cinky66]

Increased thirst and urination can be symptoms of high blood sugar. Are you feeling the same thirst and frequency at night? Those things can lead to dry mouth, lips, skin, etc.

[@MBDaltx]

I’ve said this too!!! “When I hike a slower pace, I get so tired.”

[@randypeterson4146]

Good to see you back by yourself again...Your channel will grow now🙌🙌

[@glenloewen7507]

…and for whatever reason, we have the same ravens where I live, but they love following people in SoCal. I’ve had the same issues where they just annoy me when they’re buzzing around me all the time.

[@Asdzaan]

The crows may be using people to disturb small prey to move as to see their locations. 😮

[@jorgemiguel1040]

The places may be training for fire water/suppressant drops

[@rickrparker]

That plane in a C 130 cargo plane. Military mission is likely fire suppression practice or control of a fire that is unseen by you.

[@wildeone1636]

Go far go fast😀, nothing wrong with that.

[@johnc6228]

Ravens and Redwing Blackbirds will chase you if you come too close to their nest. The snake I thought was a commonly seen California Striped Racer or whipsnake but the stripe on the back not 2 on the side makes it a Sierra or Mountain Garter Snake. The orange flower st 15:44 was Hulsea heterochroma, the Redray Alpinegold

[@user-wx7wg5cn1m]

Yeah, looks like the Gardner snakes here in Pennsylvania 🌱🌿🧘🏼🙏

[@pattyfarghaly1821]

Birds like that freak me out. I agree with you.❤❤

[@markthomas8658]

Great decision to hike your hike!!

[@nam_hn]

11:38 Roadrunner hiking at her normal speed.

[@user-wx7wg5cn1m]

Also known as the “runners high “ I also love this feeling- such a high that’s actually healthy, can get it by bicycle in

[@jellybeanhikes9581]

You are close to my timeline when i hiked the pct i got to kms june 6th stayed for a few days because of friends had no issues in the sierra you will be fine i will say i did what your are doing hiking fastr wish i would have slowed down and done more of the side trips waterfalls ect. Best wishes

[@martinwelch5774]

Nice marathon day. When I saw the planes, I thought of firefighter aircraft. The small one looked liked the guide/spotter planes that are used in my areas to coordinate retardant drops. Perhaps they were training or preparing for fire season. The insignias on the C-130 didn't seem to be in the standard military locations for insignias that I remember.

[@Yuhasz74]

Well i know that these things happen on trail and tramilies drift apart at times, but i aure do hopw that the 4 of you reconnect at some point

[@MaryanneN_]

I’m glad you mentioned that it was one of your students who was opining about your hiking speed, so I could quickly delete my snarky remarks before I posted them. 😂 HYOH! ❤

[@MaxZomboni]

4:26 You are going to love the CDT. When you get around to doing it, you should go solo the whole way. Nobody to slow you down. Stick as close to the Red Line as possible. Even though it's Chose Your Own Shortcut trail. stay on the Red Line and don't skip any section. Hike as many miles a day as your body will let you. You will be a happy Roadrunner with 3200 miles to crush. 😎👍

[@MileOne...]

The PCT is all about timing, luck, and big miles - 2020 thru hiker Dos Equis 😎+

[@MileOne...]

Ps, I arrived at KM on May 3, took a month off trail, let snow melt, timing all about timing😎

[@jamesbailey9838]

LOOK AT THE SMILE WHEN SHE HIKES ALONE! 👍👊🇺🇲⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️❤

[@i4niscratt578]

The plane is a converted C130 military aircraft used in wildland firefighting, the small plane in front marks the location where a form of afff is dropped to slow or impede the progress of wildfires.

[@RockyMtnWay_406]

Lips are likely just dry from the weather / wind exposure.

[@charliestewart7585]

It will all work out. You are why I watch.

[@SkepticalRaptor]

The plane is owned by the US Forest Service or CAL FIRE. It’s practicing dropping fire retardant in advance of the fire season. OK, I’ve post enough replies. This should help your algorithm.

[@T_Mo271]

That area is very close to a firefighting air tanker base. They're doing crew training. The smaller plane is a spotter or air boss.

[@ericevans9257]

Thanks!

[@hikingdancer]

Thank youuuuuuuuu

[@carl13579]

I hear of fatal attacks by crows on hikers all the time. Stay safe. 😆

[@KevinRuss]

Miles are smiles