Blisters and snakes abound in first week of hike

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

resident Tony DiLorenzo, who is hiking 2,600 miles on 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.

DAY 1 April 28

Yesterday was an exciting one. [My wife] Alisa got me off to the trail

head at around 8 a.m. We took a number of pictures and then I was off. It

was a beautiful day with my first rattlesnake sighting. There will be

plenty more of those.

I have hooked up with three other guys for the first part of the trail.

Today was a bit tough. We hiked 18 miles to a great campsite, one that

most people pass on. A bunch of Jeffrey Pines and a great spring. I have

some blisters starting on both heels, but hopefully I stopped them.

DAY 4 May 1

We did 15 miles today. Not too bad. I saw one rattler today, but kept on

going. No need to mess with those guys. I have a blister on my right

heel, but it hasn’t been much of a bother. I popped it and that took care

of it.

I talked to Alisa today. It is still very emotional to talk to her. I

actually started to cry. Only a few days on the trail, but I do miss her.

I’m glad to be hiking with a group for the time being.

I will hike 25 miles tomorrow to meet up with Alisa in Julian. It will be

a long day, that’s for sure.

DAY 7 May 5

My blister’s finally doing good. It’s healing up and everything else is

feeling really good. We’re down to two guys. The other’s hanging back a

bit.

We did push a 25-miler into Julian and took a beating. I’m starting to

recognize faces of people on the trail. A lot of times we end up in camps

together. There’s a whole feeling of community.

I feel good for doing 110 miles now. Spirits are up. It looks like it

will cool off.

I have an 18-miler tomorrow to a campground that has water. Everything is

dictated by water. Where you stay, where you stop in the afternoon.

There’s a lot of chaparral, some beautiful flowers all in bloom. Vibrant,

vibrant, vibrant colors. Small white and purple ones.

My appetite is going bazonkers. I can’t believe how much food I’m eating.

At the campsites, when people have extra food, I say “hell, if you’re

going to get rid of it, I’ll eat it.”

There are times where I’m sore and tired and it’s hot and I’m dirty and I

don’t feel like moving anymore.

I’ve seen four snakes. All surprises. Yesterday we passed one that was

all coiled, head up, ready to go. Dave, a guy in our group, took off his

pack and walked by the snake. It went airborne. I mean it really went

after him. I said “hell, I’m glad you were up front!”

They rattle and you just keep moving on.