Buggin’ out with a heavy load

Andrew Glazer

* EDITOR’S NOTE: The Daily Pilot is tracking the progress of Costa Mesa

resident Tony DiLorenzo, who is making a 2,600-mile hike up the Pacific

Crest Trail to raise money and awareness about his little brother’s rare

and potentially fatal blood disease, thalassemia. Here is an update, as

told to reporter Andrew Glazer. Readers can also follow DiLorenzo’s

progress on his Web site at o7 https://www.7000000steps.homepage.comf7 .

DAYS 43-44

Kelly [a friend from home] and I were hiking to Kennedy Meadows together

while the rest of the group went ahead. I didn’t have my guide and we got

a bit off track. In the end, we got to the road that would take us to a

general store. But we didn’t feel like walking, so we hitched a ride. I

really enjoy hitchhiking.

At the store, I resupplied for the best stretch. We have 10 days before

we get to our next big stop, the Vermilion Valley resort, so we need lots

and lots of food. I hope to go through all of it, but not too fast.

Sunday was a rest day. We didn’t do much but eat all day long. Kelly said

something about how we eat constantly.

DAY 45

It was a long day out of Kennedy Meadows. We started at 6,100 feet and

topped out at 10,500 feet. The thing is, we would climb and then descend,

and then have to make up what we lost. On top of that, my pack weighed

the most since the beginning of the trip: I’d guess around 45 pounds.

Heavy. I must eat the food.

We camped by a small creek and the mosquitoes were horrible.

It’s been great having Kelly around. We’ve had a blast and were able to

talk about what to do when I get back. He’s added a joker personality to

the group.

DAY 47

Kelly left today after hiking with us for five days. It was hard to see

him go. We were having such a great time. Hopefully, we’ll see him out

here again. He was my link to [my wife] Alisa. I miss her lots and think

about her every day. I can’t wait to see her in Tahoe and hike with her.

One thing we learned was to not sleep on a pass. It was windy all night

long.

DAY 48

We finally reached a point in the Sierras where the views are incredible

and the water plentiful. The only problem: mosquitoes. At camp, they’re

so bad that we were in our tents by 6:30 p.m. We should’ve gotten water

and moved on a few miles. I hate the damn things.

Alisa is in my thoughts constantly. I can’t wait to see her in a few

weeks.

DAY 53

We crossed three rivers today, one at 6 a.m. Boy, was it cold. My feet

were frozen. I didn’t feel them for the first mile or so, but they

eventually came back to life.

We got above the tree line for a few miles. We crossed creeks, snow

fields, saw waterfalls and the most gorgeous mountains anywhere.

We are 85 miles away from Vermilion Valley Ranch. We’ll be there in about

eight and a half days, when our original plan was to take 10 days. I’m

happy about that, since it means a shower will be much sooner.

Tonight we’re camped at the base of the Glen Pass. This area is very

familiar since Alisa and I hiked it last year.

It’s where the dream began. I’m amazed to see how far we’ve come.