On the Fourth of July we were high in the Lakes Basin region. We did not hear or see any sign of fireworks. The land here is so drought ridden that fires and sparks are completely banned. Our view was spectacular overlooking a beatiful lake. For only the 2nd time in 1,300 miles FC had to pee at night. When she went outside there was a circle of lights and activity below her. She could not hear any noise so it was not too intrusive. There was a mine below her that appeared to be fully operational, quietly digging into the guts of the earth to remove something of value.
The day before this we had climbed 5,000 ft up and out of the east branch of the Feather River which was at 2,500 ft. The temperature at the river was 100 degrees. We stayed here for 3 hours sleeping and swimming. It was too hot to be climbing and we met quite a few others waiting out the heat. We started the ascent at 5:00 pm and walked until 8:00 pm. The campsiite was a couple of feet off the trail and infested with mosquitoes, as many as we have experienced in Alaska. They were not as big but they were copious. Once again the forest was grey and dark. A solitary birdsong woke us the next morning instead of the usual cacaphony we hear. We still had 2,500 ft to ascend. Up and down, up and down. That's it. That's what we do. We were headed toward the famous rave town of Belden not knowing what to expect. It had been described in one source as creepy. We arrived there at 2:00 pm in our usual state - hot, hot, hot. There were hundreds of tents by the side of the west branch of the Feather River and music playing everywhere. We immediately headed for the river and waded in. We do this in our underwear which seems to work. Clothes back on we head to the restaurant. Belden is more like a venue for various events. The event this July 4th weekend was called "Priceless" and has been going on for ten years. There are lots of Bay Area people who attend. People were so kind to us. They provided a space for PCT hikers to camp without charge and we could share in the festivities. FC danced by the river and swam. TC lay in the shade and watched. People welcomed us. We were definitely a bit of an oddity with our heavy hiking shoes on and our filthy packs and clothes but we fit in with every other odd person there. People asked us questions about the trail and were inspired. FC is a bit tired of being an inspiration. She's such a jolly, up kind of gal and this is hard to sustain when answering the same questions. She's a bit disinterested in all the interest being shown to her but remains polite and enthusiastic. This takes effort and she often doesn't have the energy. She's much more interested in the lives that others are leading like what they were doing here, where they are from, how do they feel staying up all night listening to music, dancing and taking drugs? By the expression on peoples faces, certain bent over postures or outright prostration under grand pianos, people draped over art installations, strange breathing patterns, we could see the evidence of drugs. A number of PCT hikers imbibed and were seen days later wrapped in tyvek sheets by the side of the trail. One guy took Ecstacy, LSD, and mushrooms (the trifecta) together. We are not sure where he is. FC does not in anyway need drugs for a good time and TC has taken them all at some point in her life and is over them. She never liked the coming down part. We escaped that part and met some cool people. FC would come back to this event. The energy was loving and open, accepting and all inclusive. What a treat and privilege to expose your truest self without fear. I'm not talking about being drugged out. That's putting yourself in another reality and having your own little pleasure trip. I'm saying there were no "freaks" here. Everything was ok. We stayed for five hours and we would have stayed longer but the next day we were out early with another 5,000 ft climb. We camped out at a trail angels house knowing that no sleep would be had if we stayed in Belden
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