PCT 2024: Ep. 5: “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” - Mike’s Place to mile 175.4

Days 9 & 10.
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[@vereddar6420]

On the bright side: you already have a trial name! Imagine a whole life of hiking having to answer to "Thorny Butt".

[@kellirustin7944]

A pee funnel is the game changer. The hard plastic kind with the open design are the easiest to use. Look forward to following your journey!

[@ewokinthewoodscairn8908]

If you know what mesquite is, you can use it to ease pain and discomfort from cactus 🌵 needles. If you find dandelion or similar plant you can roll it over area with cactus 🌵 needles and they stick to it. If none above are available, duct tape! Sticky and pulls them out

[@sandrap3047]

You know you have a good man when he picks the thorns out of your butt! 😆

[@Karen-dq8nw]

Olive sided flycatcher at 17:45 - "quick three beers!" Eating the flies for you, free ecosystem services.

[@jakeva9802]

Humbling, but all part of the adventure.

[@lisaray6493]

My P-Style is my best friend. If you hike in shorts or a skort you don't even have to drop your drawers. Check them out

[@mountainjackietr511]

Happy belated birthday Chica! Ouch! I'm so sorry about the cacti! You are such a bad ass hiker! that prickly pear proves it! I would be so upset and you just went with it! Kudos to you and Sunsets!

[@ChicaandSunsets]

💙💙

[@debbieparker2751]

Happy Birthday Chica… the views are absolutely gorgeous… love your videos and your commentary. 😊

[@littlethislittlethat456]

I have to say that the weather looks much better than the AT as far as no rain. Wind yes. Ouch. I bought my daughter in law a Go Girl device. She loves it. That's what partners are for; help out the other to remove thorns...The thing I hated most about the AT was this; at the end of the day, you are so tired out but then you have to usually walk down a steep hill to get water and then climb back up. It's hard to do that after hiking all day. I hated getting cramps at night while in bed or dressing. Happy Birthday Chica!!! Totally understandable on the F's. LOL Doesn't look like they have any trail maintainers out in the bush country. Kudo's to both of you for doing this trail. John from MI

[@ChicaandSunsets]

We love that we don’t have to deal with rain, and sweaty clothes do dry out here :). The heat we’re learning to manage, but it does make scheduling each day challenging.

[@jojohikes]

Oh my gosh! That’s how Prickleberry got her name! Except she fell back into bramble and jumped up and screamed “those stupid prickle berries!” Happy Birthday! 🍻 Those views are amazing! That wind is crazy 😱

[@ChicaandSunsets]

Omg this is hilarious (sorry Prickleberry!) but made me feel better - Chica 💙

[@brandonlenenski]

The tiny thorns on a prickly pear are called glochids "are hair-like spines or short prickles, generally barbed, found on the areoles of cacti in the sub-family Opuntioideae". "The most effective method involved using tweezers to remove clumps of spines followed by a thin layer of glue covered with gauze, which was allowed to dry and then peeled off to remove individual spines."

[@ChicaandSunsets]

Thanks for this info! Prickly pear indeed!!

[@ladygabe2001]

Happy birthday, Chica. All the best.

[@Blaze2Blaze]

Belated Happy Birthday Chica. Each of us who has spent any time on trail has had their own prickly pear moment. Robin's was with a Timber Rattler just north of Watauga Lake and she performed a gymnastic move that Olga Korbut would have been proud of and mine was with a fire ant mount just north of Erwin. Despite the thorns looks like you are making good time and having a blast. Take care.

[@janiceprice4982]

Chica, just imagine how bad it would have been if you were solo hiking!!!!Yikes😮

[@ValsLife1]

Wow! I can’t imagine having fallen into cactus. You seem to be in a good mood about it now. My favorite piece of gear is my female urination device. No squatting is the best! P-Style is what I use. Happy hiking!

[@tangenttrails]

Oh no! Sorry about the bathroom mishap but what a trail story you have! Happy late birthday, Chica!✌️

[@atrailoforangeslices3506]

Good job, Sunsets! You got Chica out of a very sticky situation. 🍊

[@iceagerrb2800]

If Sunsets and I were there with Chica in the middle, Chica would be a rose between 2 thorns ( or cacti)

[@MalFunktion1]

Haha! Free on-trail accupuncture.... :-) Happy B-Day BTW.

[@pettipaw]

Hey, at least you are still smiling :)

[@vickietyer1611]

You are not alone. My friend fell backwards while pooping and broke her broke her thumb! Be safe have fun!

[@ChicaandSunsets]

Omg!!

[@wildeone1636]

Happy birthday 🎉🎂 🎉

[@michaelm7843]

Well done!

[@Karen-dq8nw]

Ouch!

[@kittkatt-nr9je]

Honest, I didn't 😂 ouch. Fairplay to Sunsets .You've got some great views, but it looks like the trail is making you work for them. You're welcome (Crystal)

[@thruthebiblewithmicey]

Ah the prickly pear. It’s more dangerous than the cholla.🌵 Happy birthday Chica 🥳

[@davidlewis4344]

Love your content and commentary! Finish strong!

[@jhayft0703]

Still trying to catch up. I am following you both, another one on the pct, someone on the cdt, and than 3 on the at lol

[@iceagerrb2800]

Congrats birthday girl! Mine was 5/25 ( 80) I won’t ask u yours🤷‍♂️

[@cottontalesfromthetrail5474]

Paradise Cafe! Day 10 sunrise was amazing, but that wind reminded me of being on an aircraft carrier! Happy Hiking

[@glengullickson6538]

Awesome "thorn butt" memories! Been to Paradise Valley Cafe, by bike! You will LOVE Idylwild! Maybe best trail town ever! Although if you camp at the park in town, you may not find a site big enough for your tent!

[@Itsallabouttheviews]

Jen so sorry about your thorny adventure...ugh. I cant believe you were able to get them all out! You 2 make such a great team!! Jen i dont have venmo can i do virtual trail magic through pay pal! I have you in my account

[@ChicaandSunsets]

Yes you can through PayPal. Thank you!

[@LynnStAubin-od5qe]

That sunrise at 6:25 was beautiful. Are you changing your trail name to “Cheek Ow”?

[@debiherzgedling7255]

I felt the wind throughout this video and was totally irritated by it--nothing compared to what you must have been feeling. And your poor butt, Jen--although it IS a great trail story!!