Hiking Her Story: Update #6 6-3-25

Well it's been a little while and unfortunately I don't have a lot of information on this update..... It's been hard to connect with K'lena recently. We've been hit or miss on phone calls and texts are sporadic. She texts back when she can/has cell service, but that doesn't always mean I can text her back right away. She was supposed to give a bigger update before leaving town today 6/3/25, but all I got was some photos in the shared album and some back and forth conversation regarding the next food/supplies she needs by next week. (and that's ok!) I'm sure after I post this update then I'll get the real deal update......until then, here is what I know:

Thursday, May 22nd

They decided to wake up early to "beat the heat"....however it was an INTENSE and VERY HOT day! It was over 100 degrees. They were to camp by 3pm/3:30pm and tried to rig something up to get some shade. It was ok, she said. Jenna decided she needed to go to bed around 6:30pm from being exhausted in the heat.

Bears

They have been in a little bit of a bear territory for the last 3 days, but they haven't encountered any bears themselves. They are not carrying bear cans yet as it's not required until around the 700 mile mark. There hasn't been any issues other than a Facebook post stating someone saw a bear in the area.

Sad News

The tramily is no longer. They had to separate from Johannes. His knee was bothering him too much that he decided he needed to slow his pace and mileage down. They have been communicating with him, and there is a possibility he might be able to meet back up with them. I wonder who else they will meet up with and if a new tramily will be formed or if they will meet back up?! I asked K'lena if she has a trail name yet- still no trail name. (5/22/25)

Larissa & Nohemy

Larissa is hiking with Hannah & Alan and they are past Aqua Dulce (K'lena will be there tomorrow 5/24). They are increasing mileage and pace- most likely will not meet up with them again.

Nohemy is behind K'lena & Jenna, but not too far behind. They didn't see her yesterday 5/22, but they might see her off and on.

Friday, May 23rd

She's about 9 miles into her hike today. They will stop at mile 12 and take a FULL SIESTA from around noon to 4pm or 5pm to stay out of the heat. Then they will continue on the additional 4-6 miles after it cools down. They will camp for the evening then get up and hike about 7 miles or less. They will be at mile 454 in Aqua Dulce where they will resupply. They will stay at "Serenity Oasis" which is owned/ran by Trail Angel: "Farmer John". He offers a place to stay, place to do laundry, and has supplies to purchase. She said it sounds like an old school farmer and has his supplies all on peg board. She said she would try to send a photo. (I never got a photo)

Next week K'lena will get her 2nd box. (I think she said Tuesday or Wednesday). Since writing this small update she has received the box (I think it was yesterday Wednesday 5/29). She said THANK YOU!

She was really excited to have a card in there from Creighton's 4th Grade Class. She said "Mrs. Rowland- THANK YOU! That was the best surprise!" She did tell me that she wished the kids were still in school and that she could send a video to them about her trip.

Emergency texts do happen..... and I do not like them! This is the 2nd time (I think) that K'lena has sent a photo of the vehicle she is getting in with the license plate and a description of who is driving. Everytime she does this I panic and just pray that she makes it and it's a short drive. I don't want to make any calls or a missing person report! She did this to us again last week......9 minutes later "Made it! That was sketchy! Won't be doing that again!" PHEW! It's like a weight was lifted off my shoulders!

Friday, May 31st

We've texted off and on all last week/weekend. I was in charge of the garage sale at my parents house so I was updating her on the things that were selling/not selling and what prices. She even "shopped" the garage sale and claimed an item (just a water bottle that will go in her box for next week). In a text to us she told us that she was starting the "aqueduct section"- they will be hiking through the night!

In a blurb she sent here are some notes about it:

- 20 mile section along flat, hot, dry corner of the Mojave Desert along the Los Angeles Aqueduct.

- Hike during night or early morning to avoid the blistering heat

- Challenge is the HEAT

- DO NOT CAMP on or near the aqueduct. There may be cars driving through here at night.

Monday, June 2nd

We were able to FaceTime last night around 8pm! Very short conversation.....she talked to Creighton a little bit. (Lenny was already in bed).

So here is the brief update:

- Jenna is going good! Not using her knee brace as much.

- GOOD NEWS! Johannes AND Nohemy are back apart of the tramily! Nohemy had gotten off the trail to spend time with her husband so she skipped the aqueduct section and met back up with them! "It's been fun connecting with her again!" Johannes is hiking in pain and has some to terms he's just going to deal with it. He's gotten another knee brace and is pushing thru!

- Details on the Aqueduct:

* hiked at night started around 7pm (her time) and went until midnight. Then they took about a 20 minute nap.Then got back up and kept hiking until around 2am and they took about a 2 hour nap. Got back up and kept hiking. In the morning there was Trail Magic that made them breakfast sandwiches and gave them a Coca Cola. They ended up stopping about 10am by this time they had gone about 24 miles. It was still warm at night. And there was a big heave wave during the day so they were thankful they were not hiking during that time.

- There was a shoe funeral last night. Looks like this photo is for comparison on how worn the shoes were compared to new shoes.

"We will be done with the Sierras soon. I'm so done with the desert!" - K'lena

Trail Name

You have the choice to accept or decline a Trail Name. K'lena *thinks* she is going to accept the name. "BIG EYES"..... K'lena talks about eating ALL the time, PACKS SO MUCH FOOD! (That might be my fault a little bit), and then when it's time to eat- she takes 3 bites and is full. This is NOTHING new! This has been K'lena for a long time! So therefore she has been given the Trail Name: Big Eyes.

400 Miles!

Like K'lena said the next 100 miles just keeps coming faster and faster! She will be receiving the next box next week in Kennedy Meadows which is right about the 700 mile mark!

Enjoy the photos, but unfortunately no descriptions/details were given so I can't tell you where exactly these were at the moment. (I made some of my own tho!) Hopefully I will have a better update soon!

After the mouse story- are we sure we want to camp like this again?!

Injuries happen....

I'm sure the views are AMAZING!

Our power flashed Sunday at home.....I was having some PTSD from the March storm that took us out of power for quite a few days.....I should just be thankful that I don't have to eat with a headlamp on! :)

Dirty!

I wonder if the watermelon weighs less than her backpack!

Not sure that this is what is happening, but K'lena said she personally has to have something crunchy on her meals. I wonder if that's true for Jenna?