tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157537252024-03-13T06:31:56.417-06:00PreyingJaws - an average guy with a thirst for lifeSince hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2014, discovery continues. I continue to hike and seek to share with others in the simple life I found.
I've gotten also into Amateur Radio. I have a few posts and a tab dedicated to the pursuit of making contacts.preyingjawshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10738420909943894894noreply@blogger.comBlogger455125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15753725.post-23638671689026389342021-08-10T12:14:00.001-06:002021-08-10T12:14:25.903-06:00Back Onthe PCTWalking into Lake Tahoe 2 years ago ended an amazing 600 mile section hike. Getting dropped off at Big Meadows Trailhead had a different kind of relief. Having hiked the Tahoe Rim Trail twice I'm not skipping any PCT Miles. I went as far as I could my first night dropping nearly into Miess Meadows. I set my tent, 'cooked' no one actually cooks it's add hot water, my dinner preyingjawshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10738420909943894894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15753725.post-4353308060314555832021-07-10T13:02:00.001-06:002021-07-10T13:02:42.193-06:00Collegiate Loop Legs 2 and 3What happened? I forgot to write these up. A quick recap. Began a bit slow. The three days of rain from leg 1 disappeared much to my relief. Hiked with a few Colorado Trail SoBo's until they out paced me. A couple of fellows from the Mid-West and I hiked around the turn around point south of Monarch Pass. Monarch Pass store was a great place to hangout but not much in the way of grub preyingjawshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10738420909943894894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15753725.post-22293849455400408072020-08-06T19:08:00.000-06:002020-08-06T19:09:04.323-06:00Collegiate Loop Part 1"Go prepared for rain," one of my colleagues at work told me. How'd she know my first three days on this trail would be rain soaked. Those first three days included getting used to the terrain, crunching miles to get to camp before the rain came, and drying out gear early in the day. The rain came predictably around 3:30 pm. Coloradoans say this type of rain isn't typical. preyingjawshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10738420909943894894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15753725.post-26992558420016387722019-08-23T17:45:00.001-06:002019-08-23T17:45:56.967-06:00The High Uinta'sOne may have guessed I couldn't let my final vacation weekend go without some hiking, could they? After reviewing my gear choices of the PCT I decided to go out with what I almost took. The pack however is not the pack I was thinking off. It is the size of pack I am considering for next year.I swapped the tent for an 8x5 tarp and bug bivy. The cook kit this weekend, an Esbit stove and a preyingjawshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10738420909943894894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15753725.post-68888021713117333392019-08-09T13:50:00.000-06:002019-08-09T13:51:06.100-06:0024 hours in TruckeeTruckee is a small town stop on the PCT and California Zephyr routes. Since I resupplied in Sierra City I skipped this popular PCT stop. I've taken the CalZephyr probably 5 or 6 times in 20 odd years through this town. The store fronts enticing, if the stop was an hour, it'd be a great jump out place to stretch the legs.Well I finally got to jump out. After a dip in Lake Tahoe with my preyingjawshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10738420909943894894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15753725.post-26702828789627946422019-08-07T14:30:00.001-06:002019-08-07T14:30:27.065-06:00Winding DownAs I dropped into the basin containing the Peter Grubb hut, I heard and saw I-80. "Ah, expletive, the hike is almost over," I bemoaned. For my body, this is good, my feet ache constantly. I've done fewer and fewer miles when possible no longer pushing the 20/25's. I've preferred 18 to 20's. There are days when I do stretch 'em so as to time staying at places preyingjawshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10738420909943894894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15753725.post-33359423573106424172019-08-04T08:40:00.001-06:002019-08-04T08:40:22.144-06:00Sierra CityFrom the top of Sierra Butte I could see the almost whole world, except I did not climb the stairs to the fire tower.On my zero, as I waited for my sandwich at the Sierra Country Store I caught a news clip, rampage. In town was a mountain bike race up to the old PCT and down into Downevile other wise except for a few hikers this is a quiet town. Windows and doors are often unlocked preyingjawshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10738420909943894894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15753725.post-74501267745776643152019-08-02T09:30:00.001-06:002019-08-02T09:30:50.056-06:00Be informedI thought fires were my pet peeve on the PCT. As I crossed a mixed use area I realized PCT also mean Perfect Cycling Trail. I crossed paths with several mountain bikers, Aug 1, who "did not know" the trail they were on did not allow for bicycles or any other mechanical devices. The PCT crosses several Off Highway Vehicle trails, each well marked No Bikes. The PCT was designed as a preyingjawshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10738420909943894894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15753725.post-73532349889195021272019-08-02T09:29:00.001-06:002019-08-02T09:29:44.368-06:00from view to viewI chose to leave Beldon around 6:30 am. That was not my leaving time, just when I decided to leave. I had breakfast at Caribou Crossings. Chris, the owner, was working an issue with the payment systems folks. Miriam was busy in the kitchen. I got eggs, hashbrowns, and toast. She kept my coffee filled. He figured out what the issue was and joined the conversation of the hikers.About 9 am a preyingjawshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10738420909943894894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15753725.post-61390118458409837072019-07-28T13:51:00.001-06:002019-07-28T13:51:47.418-06:00BeldonI got into Beldon with music thumping near a mile out. I found the Beldon still awake from the night before. 7 AM a bit to early, I waited for the General Store to open. Ravers walking to and from the main dance area and where they camped. Some asked how the hike was, others wished me well, or gave congrats thinking I had gone halfway. Around 8 AM I went inside, asked for my box. $30 to preyingjawshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10738420909943894894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15753725.post-43835961505466039132019-07-27T08:21:00.001-06:002019-07-27T08:21:33.274-06:00Down to BeldonConnecting Lassen NP to Beldon went straight forward, do miles, watch MT Lassen disappear. One thing about section hiking is I never see to get my trail legs. This section proved that true. My legs began to ache. I slowed my pace from 20/25's to 15/20's. This helped with the aches. I started stretching at longer breaks.Crossing PCT mile 1325 on Wednesday was bittersweet. I think preyingjawshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10738420909943894894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15753725.post-17962870277085722682019-07-27T08:20:00.001-06:002019-07-27T08:20:57.125-06:00Lassen Volcanic NPYears ago fire ripped throughout the area. Maybe 1/3 of this park and some areas to the north were effected. What caught my attention as I left Old Station was outside the Park reseeding of the pine happened, inside the Park nature took over. Outside the Park trees by the row for miles, inside natural randomness.Decades ago I worked in Yellowstone NP just after the fires of 88. A decade and apreyingjawshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10738420909943894894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15753725.post-11182806625712929852019-07-21T20:39:00.001-06:002019-07-21T20:39:51.965-06:00Hat RimThe alarm sounded just once. I thrust my had towards my phone to turn it off so as not to wake the other hikers at 5 am. A glow greated me on the horizon as my attention turned to letting air out of my pad. I worked quickly and hopefully quietly to get an early start on the trail.I had nero'd to Burney Falls Guest Ranch two night prior. I had thought about zeroing at the State Park but, preyingjawshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10738420909943894894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15753725.post-38244728501985264482019-07-18T09:56:00.001-06:002019-07-18T09:56:50.530-06:00Burney FallsBlack Swifts dart in and out of the falls, sporadic movements to get bugs. Water rushing over the cliffside and out of the watertable greets visitors to this tight canyon.I pushed 20 plus miles a day to get here from Castle Crags. The miles were over good treadway with some long up/down hills. At the bottom of Squaw Valley Creek, McCloud River, and Deer Creek, I need to pay attention to poisonpreyingjawshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10738420909943894894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15753725.post-68328604629434812142019-07-12T20:21:00.001-06:002019-07-12T20:21:27.042-06:00Etna to Castle CragsWe were able to convince Dave, from Hike Hut, to give us a ride up the mountain. He told us stories of when he first arrived in Etna after retiring as deputy sheriff of another town in California. "One day," he said,"I didn't know the town and that's when I decided to retire. I had known everyone but, then that day it all changed." I can't see that happening topreyingjawshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10738420909943894894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15753725.post-44492096924295663882019-07-07T19:34:00.001-06:002019-07-07T19:34:39.068-06:00Rest DaysEtna CA, small town USA, is far enough off the highway it doesn't get a stoplight. The highway does skirt to the south. Main St doesn't even have a painted strip down the middle but, does have two breweries, a broke down mechanic shop, and a grocery just off to the side that packs a lot in for such a small space.I've taken two days off here, relaxing. I'm trying not to over eatpreyingjawshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10738420909943894894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15753725.post-84963874981228102432019-07-06T18:13:00.001-06:002019-07-06T18:13:23.003-06:00Day 4 to 6Gritting my teeth for a 6 mile road walk, I grabbed a Gingerale and a Snickers as I walked out of Seiad. 2 miles on a highway, 2 on paved neighborhood, and 2 dirt road to a Forest Service campground that all but looked abandoned except for maintained privies. When I arrived at Girder Creek CG, I found a tent city building with NoBo's. I threw in with a group just a ways from the bridge. Ipreyingjawshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10738420909943894894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15753725.post-24105943154232371992019-07-02T21:10:00.001-06:002019-07-02T21:10:15.942-06:00Day 3 1/2Ah the small town of Seiad Valley in the state of Jefferson. A quaint roadside bump in the map.I pushed hard down the mountain to get lunch. I should have stopped once or twice more. The views in were great but, the photos wouldn't do justice.I am taking a nero tomorrow. I'll hike to Girder Creek campground. Then make the assault up that side. One thing I'm learning is to listenpreyingjawshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10738420909943894894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15753725.post-43013505886490775342019-07-02T14:47:00.001-06:002019-07-02T14:47:52.700-06:00Days 2 thru 3 1/2The stars were within reach of my camp. The guys I was next to missed out with their rainflys on. I got up and on the trail by 6:30.A few North Bounders (NoBos) told me on an old cabin just over the border. That'll put me just over 21 miles for the day. Do able, I thought. I met many NoBos. I chatted it up with a weekender. I scored his partial canister. As I camp at night 3 may be I preyingjawshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10738420909943894894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15753725.post-22065916313682233482019-06-29T14:26:00.000-06:002019-06-29T14:27:00.520-06:00Day 1Day 1Though I took 1/2 of Friday off,I used that time to relax the nerves and tidy up a few things still, I didn't get to sleep before midnight. I also hungout with the neighbors for a bit, did some writing, and last minute intell gathering, ok I surfed Instagram for #pct2019. Mom, you don't need this app, I'll send you my photos. My wake up call came too early. Why can't I be preyingjawshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10738420909943894894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15753725.post-46525340328743768532019-06-27T21:08:00.001-06:002019-06-27T21:08:51.056-06:00Go TimeMonths of planning and years of day dreaming are entering the execution phase in the next few hours. Though I work until Friday afternoon, my attention is laser focused on what needs to be wrapped up by then. My list of items are in two columns, "Beneficial to the Hike" and "Meh, it can wait."Mentally I'm breaking down this hike from 600 miles to a string of preyingjawshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10738420909943894894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15753725.post-75645007950899296302019-06-16T20:33:00.001-06:002019-06-16T20:33:45.524-06:00First Water Creek3 years ago as I readied myself for the Tahoe Rim Trail I did a few over nighters in Spanish Fork Canyon. I've returned to that same area to ready up for a different trail. The snow line in the high Uinta's are keeping me from my favorite locations so I've come here.A little more than an hours drive to the turn off for Sheep Creek. The road is well maintained as are spurs. I don&#preyingjawshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10738420909943894894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15753725.post-45532254641315679852019-06-16T20:18:00.001-06:002019-06-16T20:18:34.840-06:00A quick overnighter, 2 weekends agoI needed to get out. I missed the opportunity of the 3 day weekend last week as I let the weather channel dictate the destination. I could do that again. I'm but mere days away from another adventure. I headed to The Great Wesrern Trail as it cuts along side Strawberry Ridge. Rain hung in the air. This isn't about miles this time. It's about getting out.I found a meadow area preyingjawshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10738420909943894894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15753725.post-75798027775421807862018-08-16T21:42:00.001-06:002018-08-16T21:42:50.637-06:00Tahoe Rim Trail 2018Tahoe CA/NV is more than a blue patch at the bend of California/ Nevada border. It's beyond a rich person's playground and the middle class get-away. The area boasts of workd class mountain biking and hiking. It's the hiking for which I returned. The Tahoe Rim Trail encircles the lake, not but once coming within a quarter of a mile to the blue gem from rugged mountains of the preyingjawshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10738420909943894894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15753725.post-30006265418076203302018-08-02T17:03:00.000-06:002018-08-02T17:04:03.866-06:00re-figuringTook the slow boat out of Stehekin yesterday. The Stehekin Bakery is worth the trip but, maybe not the expense. I got a chunk of grass in the RV Park for the night, and rode 4 different buses back to my friend's place in Seattle. I took my first shower in a week at the RV Park. Note to self: bring a pack towell larger than a bandana next trip and a sliver of soap.Along the way I kept preyingjawshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10738420909943894894noreply@blogger.com0