Steven's Pass to Stehekin

I did not write a daily blog for this leg of my journey as I was unsure of power outlets available in Stehekin.  If I was not able to recharge my phone, I would loose a major navigational aid, the Guthook's Guide app that uses the phone's GPS to put me in precise locations.  I do carry the HalfMile paper maps of the PCT.  The convenience of the app helped me as I am a landmark hiker, meaning I like to hike from landmark to landmark.  My powerbank battery aka brick would have given me the charge I needed from here to Hart's Pass.

I'm getting off the PCT again this time not for issues of self.  I am sure by now you have heard on the news there is a wild fire north of highway 20.  I am making the choiceto bail here as it is "easier" to get to Stehekin in the future than to Rainy Pass on highway 20.

There is more to leaving the trail than hitchhiking.  Stehekin is off the grid and off the highway system.  I am looking at options now to get into Seattle.  One step at a time, one location at a time.  I'm trying to avoid hotels but, if I must, I will.

I did say the adventure is in the unknown.  This journey definitely has plenty of unknowns.

Getting out of Hiker Haven/the Dinsmore's took about 45 minutes of effort.  It's a highway hitch of 35 miles.  Staying at the hostel is worthwhile and Mr Dinsmore is an awesome character.  The resupply options are limited on his side of the pass.  If I were to redo that section, find a hotel or stay at the KOA in Levenworth.  The fellow who pucked me up did so because of the PCT hiker sign.

I climbed out of Steven's Pass motivated, not by miles, but by flies and mosquitoes.  Vahala Lake is a redo day hike, if anyone goes to that area, after that not much else to see without overnights.  Depending on the resource I eithe did a 25 or 27 mile day. Guthook and HalfMile are out of sync.

The next day came with some views and more miles.  I can't recall amything worthy of note except I will forever hate ferns as they hide the trail tread and I did a lot of tripping.  Also ferns like to grow everywhere in this State.  The worst of the ferns come with step switch backs.  Wait this is the day I encountered what the Sobo's called the bog which gave rise to near half a mile of wet to fooded trail.  I'd picked up some flip flops which helped keep my feet from slipping and my shoes dry while my feet froze in the snow melt running throught the dense forest.

My day coming out of the Kennedy Creek area took a slogging, brushy, wet 6 mile up hill that took 5 hours.  I topped out at Fire Creek Pass to the land of snowfields and beauty.  I chose not to take a dip in Mica Lake, which is still 90% covered in ice as i had 14 more miles to hike includ8 g the 12 odd mile traverse of Millcreek.  Millcreek not the polite hiking area outside of SLC, rather imagine 8 miles of switch backs from Fire Creek Pass to the bottom anf 5 miles up the otherside.  60 odd switchback which is a kin to hell.

On top I traversed to Molly Vista camp which redeems the hellish switchbacks.  Molly Vista ranks in the top 5 campsites ever bucking South Moutain on the TRT for the number one spot.  I coud see up the Suiattle Creek drainages, many moutain peaks, and a colum of smoke.  Tha colum ended up being a smoky illegal campfire per a hiker I met the following day.

The next day's hike was more switchbacks through the Suiattle rea but, not covered in ferns.  Did I tell you how I'll forever hate ferns?  The day passed quickly and I made 20 miles by 4 pm.  I routed through some incredible basins akin to Broad's Fork BCC but, way more open and a lot more late snow.  The final push came with 500ft up that I convinced myself was only 300.  The campsite in another large open basin.

The final hiking day, I aimed for High Bridge Ranger Station by 4, which became 3, and ended with as soon as possible.  I missed the 12:30 bus by 6 minutes, bawh!  This miss lead to other hiker conversations.

The bus stops by the Stehekin Bakery which is a must do as the pasteries are amazing else I'm that hunger focused after 107 miles in 4 1/2 days.  Days filled with highs on mountain passes than lows.  I hear the stretch I just did is rougher overall than all of the Sierra's.  I will admit I pushe myself hard but, did I tell you flies and mosquitoes are great motivational speakers?  They encouraged me to move the first two days and the next two days were motivated more by water sources and campsite selections.  Ending the day on a mountain top is also a great motivation for one more...

I made quick miles into Stehekin.  Missed shower hours but, the lake is wonderfully refreshing.  At the most delicious sweet roll ever or was that the miles talking instead? Got an over priced burger but, look at the map and you'll see why it's expensive, no highway or power to this town.

Today's been chilling, looking for info to get off the trail, and being interviewed by one of the Park Service's staff as there are two strikes (lightning)  to the south that are being monitored.  So far there isn't any closures issed there, correction a Sobo just told me they are not letting anyone leave tonight.  Well call me a marshmallow in a s'more, this trek is far from story-less.

I hope this isn't too long to bounce if so I'll share again later.

Day 10

Into Steven's Pass

The sky filled with stars, the moon at my back.  I watched Casiopia rise and set.  Ah star gazing.

Made a quick exit, on the trail by 6:15.  I enjoyed the views going up and down into the next area.

Met a group of young men at one of the lakes.  My standard greeting for groups of youth is, "What troop are you with?"  One will shout it back.  I'll respond with my BSA Council, Troop number, and the year I made Eagle Scout.  It is good to see them out here, young men with adult males.  This is what the politicians and Social Justice Warriors miss, boys need role models to develope into thriving members of society as individauls and to see the interdependence of society theough a variety of skills and more. They need mature men to help them with tough questions like hormonal changes, how to deal with bullies and tough situations, how treat others right, and a few other guy only stuff. It's not about privilege or right, it's an inherent need and part of the development into maturity.  If you are associated with a fraternal order, civic group, or religious organization that has a BSA troop please step up and volunteer.  I am pround to be an Eagle but, ashamed of what the organization has become.  I welcome the conversation if you want.

I hit my major climbs and descents before 1 pm.  After I had some 600ft climbs to conquer.  I sit now at a lake in between these two 600's.  The next one takes me into Steven's Pass ski area.

I'm looking forward to clean socks by day's end at the Dinsmore's.  I here Jerry is a great host and hikers keep him well blessed.

Petra's Road to Zion is today's brain worm.  I actually know the whole song, for once.

How about all those blog posts?  Yes, I arrived at Steven's Pass ski area.  I've never been so thankful to see ski lifts.  No Snowbird this does not mean you can expand into my favorite LCC side canyon...

Time to celebrate Pioneer Day non-LDS style with a pie and a beer or at least a beer.

I got my resupply from the Lodge.  Sat outside for a bit then hitched to Dinsmore's.  For over 10 years Dinsmore's have put hikers up on their property in a tiny community called Baring, about 15 miles off trail.  Baring nor Skykomish is the place to resupply.

No one was around when I arrived but another hiker.  I helped myself to a shower out back and in my laundry in the hiker hut.  About an hour later the neighbor who lives in an RV on the property showed up.  I was good to set my tent up any where.

I sat down to work on food.  I haven't eaten very much and carrying the extra weight is tiresome.  This next leg is 100 miles.  I figure 5 to 6 days.  I'm keeping most of te he ProBars.  Getting rid of oatmeal and Cliff Bar.  Keeping the comfort food and grabbing Ramen from the hiker box. I hate tosing away food but, when I walked in here with enough leftovers to go 4 more days, I needed to do something.  I did grab canisters from the hiker box to fix dinner.  I used up the dregs of other's.  Hiker box find added to my

Eventually the others came back from dinner in Skykomish.  I hung in the dorm until after 9 swapping stories of the trail.  They tell me this next section has a bunch of brush and brutal ups and downs.  I described my ups and downs.  Craig's PCT Planner settled the elevation debate.  I'll have it easy.   They're in for some major climbs.

We moved the conversation outside to the fire pit.  Jerry joined us bringing out hot dogs.  

Hike on.  Hike Wise.

Day 9

Dragging tail this morning I didn't leave until 7.  The others also were a bit late.  For me this is day 3 when the inventory of aches and pain sound off.  My right knee bemoams a bit but everything else is clear.

Before I stopped for water and whike chug (instant coffee in cold water) was half finished, I heard a sound accompanied by a moose brown butt.  The butt stopped but 25 yards from me.  I stared eye to eye with a down hilling black bear.  He was putting some distance between us.  I snaped a photo but like anyother creature spooked in the woods, usesless image.

Tom Petty's song Let's roll another joint us my brain worm again and I don't even know the whole song.  My words Let's roll another join [ankle], hike another mile, swat a thousand mosquitoes, and enjoy another view...

Let's hike, 16 miles more today.  PS had a doe in camp again this morning too.

Cathedral Rock Pass,  just after 1pm, most of the morning's been hiking towards this stone monolith.  An easy hike up from Deep Lake.  I've met twice the number of Sobo's today than all of yesterday.  I must be in between town bubbles.  I take quick breaks often and seek shade for my sit downs.  Here's my view now.

Either 8 or 12 more miles today.  I hear both of my choices are a buzz.

..

Rounding out Cathedral Rock I heard a crashing stream.  After a bit I found my way into ice cold mountain refreshment.

I've named my pack 'the food bag' as 50% of my weight is food.  I'm not eating planned.  I planned 2lbs per day and eating less than half.  When I get to Stevens Pass I'll drop 3 days or more of my leftovers.  Sad to be but, I'm tired of carrying this weight.

Well my feet were dry until Cascading Stream. I leave that there except for it was very rush-freshing.  Walked until my next camp with wet shoes.  If I get a chance to grab some Uglies (Crocks) I am.  Stream crossings I hadn't planned on.

A couple mile later I called out my mantra to remind myself who I am.  A new brain worm entered, I don't know who sings "tell me once again who I am to you" that kicked in.  If ever there is a reason to memorize whole songs, brain worms are excellent reasond.  Besides Paul tells one of the churches to sing psalms and holy hymns to one another.

I began to run into Sobo's shortly after that crossing.  One called Snow Master mentioned she put on flip flops for another crossing.  I found a solo teva.  Rushed and hollered back to her, it's not her's.  So out it's coming with me.

Around Deception creek met a Londoner.  Sat and chatted a bit.  Funny, he wore full sleves told me his name but promptly forgot it.  He said he's always cold.

Met a few others who were doing 20 plus out of Steven's.  I made Deception Lake before 7.  Feeling good but, with wet feet I called it a day to clean up.  Everyone talks of this place being riddled with hellish mosquitoes, I find the tolerable.  Got the head net and sleves but not a worry.  Four weeke ders are near by.  Still early at 7:45 for Sobo's to drop in.

Dinner is ready, time to do the Uinta pace while I eat.

PS aches and pain inventory, minor.   A few small blisters on the feet because of wet shoes and the pack sliding off me bellie, no others...

Hike on.  Hike wise

Day 8

Mosquitoes buzzed but, it was a black tail deer that caught me making dinner.  She'd wander out camp at night crunching on the leaves.

I wasn't the first to rise but, was the first to leave.  I enjoyed the morning light at 6:30 am.  I breached an over look of Spectacle Lake and broke into singing 10,000 Reasons by Christ Tomlin.  Soon I'd descend into Delate Falls where I'd dry out my tent.  It got a bit wet from ground moisture last night.

My attitude had sunk while in Seattle.  I'm sorry for any frustrating thoughts that came out.  I am kicking myself for not breaking down one or two aspects of last year's hike.  Mainly, my pack.  This one is riding nicely.  I recognize I get frustrated easily.  I need to find how to release it in a positive light.

Mix of thoughts, if I get to Canada in reasonable time, I'd like to flip back to where I got on yesterday and hike south as far as my time off will allow.  This will mean less make up miles in the future and I get to see Goat Rocks.  GR is SoWashington's spectacular spectacle. 

Rests were not super restful as mosquitoes or flies were in abundance.  Today included a lot of down and up and down some more.

I look a long break to air my feet before the last up.  Enjoyed setti g in a Uinta's like area a bit.

During the last down I met a few more SoBo's One told me of the awesome camp sites at the river.  I set up the tent then got water and made dinner.

I took my dinner for a walk to another camp site.  Thankful I'd set up where I did as it ws a free standing tent site only.  I require 7 stakes.  I just realized, Im on a slope bugger.  I talked the Sobo's camped there until a few minutes ago.  Great group of hikers all at different paces.  Several had done the AT Sobo.

Time to slide around.

Hike on.  Hike Wise.

Day 7

The return to the PCT, may be.

My friend dropped me off in front of a really posh house in Bellevue.  Per Google we were at the place a Trail Angle had text us to met them at.  As my friend drove away, I got a call from the TA, I described the house and... wrong place.  I hoofed it to a near by major landmark, Eastside Foursquare Church at 100 Ave NE and 145.

As I walked here, I pondered how many of us miss things because we get the address wrong, a coma is in the wrong place, or something similarly simple, just stupidly wrong.

So I wait.  My fear is getting something else slightly wrong.  Oh the minor infraction that leads to major issues.  My frustration leads down the wrong path with it.  A lesson I need to remember is don't sweat the details but, do pay attention to them.  Also step away from the frustration after acknowledging it.  I did seek a reset with the purpose of this hike.  I'm getting it.

Peter and Liren found me at the church.  We got under way after the intial greeting.  The drive is about an hour long from where we were.  They took me to the summit gas station.  My box was number 77 of over 200.  The hiker PO is the gas station.

Dean and Persephone both asked, how does this trail angel/ride thing work.  The short end, by luck.  The long end, it's a lot of work to reachout on 4 or more forums, make a request, search for offers, and try to connect.  Waiting and coordinating is the rough part for me.  Once the connection is made then time to evaluate the other, accept or decline the offer.  For me, what do they show publicly on their FB page, are they honest, ranting, clean, a wide range and mix of others.  Like online dating only not as serious.   I'm really thankful this ride worked for me.  They are a lovely couple.

They went to the trailhead.  I loaded up.  Later we'd leapfrog.  The climb gentle and refreshing, easy to be had water.  I'm writing whit on a break near Gravel Lake.  I thought Lake Blanche sees a lot of people,  there's a dozen tents set up by 3pm.  I hope everyone brought ear plugs.

PS I'm looki g for 15 miles today.  I finished at 2407.  I began at 2390.  17 miles.  This is good 57 to Stevens Pass.

I'm camped with 4 other trail side.  All of use look like weekenders.

Met many a SoBo: Peach, Taxi, Sky Bird, Spastic,  Bear Hair, and several others.  I've collided with the SoBo bubble.  More to come, I'm sure.

At this spot, the mosquitoes don't know they are to hid with falling temps.

Hike On.  Hile Wise.

day 6

A chilly morning coffee out on my friend's roof like patio told me to start with a jacket for the day.  This ended being a mistake.  It got hot in downtown. She was long gone to work when I got up.

I headed to Boeing Field's Museum where I spent most the day gawking at the preserved aircraft.  An SR-71 variant, multiple other cold war jets, a few spacecraft mock ups.  My dream liner lay in the gallery across the street, the Concorde.  The world's fastest commercial airliner. Sleek even on the ground. The cabin felt a bit cramped, I guess this is due to the plexiglass protecting the seats and other hardware.

I headed to Pike's Place Market.  Throngs of people, my people meter expired, I couldn't drop any more coins in it to keep me engaged.  The Caribbean Mercy, in '99, made a visit to the wharf behind it. No  nostalgia hit.

Made my way back out to the suburbs. Chilled on the roof.  I may have another ride up the mountain lined up tomorrow.  Not as far south as I'd like but, I'll be back on the PCT.  My hips are healed.  Now, my legs feel weak.  I'm thinking about keeping my leftovers from the first leg with me so that I can take the extra days on the trail.

Time to celebrate my B-day.  I do remember people help make the adventure special.

Day 5

A glance at the time put me a rush.  Ryan is a 'wake and good to go person.'  Me, I need an hour and it takes me longer to warm up, thankfully I took that hour to wake up.  I am so grateful for his family putting me up for a few days.  A parent may get frustrated with their kids but, they get those little rewards of snuggling and seeing them grow that I'll never experience.  I may get the sweeping vistas of mountains hard climbed which another may not, you may see it as a photo but, never know the earned experience.  Somedays, as people, we envy the other way of life, however I'd turn this into the reason why we all need to share life together, to have friends of many ages and marital status, kids too.  We, as a community, learn and contribute to the greater of the fullness of life.  We need each other.

After being dropped off at PDX Union Station, I went in search of breakfast. First coffee of the day is to open the eyelids and the cup of cereal I eat is to keep it from revolting.  Found a shop or two but, nothing opens until I'd have to dash to the train.  I grabbed an over priced 50 cent danish from the station instead.  I'm good now until Seattle.

Rolling out of Portland, I glue myself the looking out the window, a teardrop rolls on the cheek, the right kind of tired.

So I get into Seattle, moments later after getting on the bus to Yale St, it gets cut off. The other driver just tags the bus, no injuries. Bawh, more delays... the bus driver still drops me off at the destination.

So I get to REI, walk in without being questioned like my store would, ask the fellow in the backpack dept if he had any roughly 50 litters by Osprey.  He pulls out a black and burnt orange pack.  Before I stuff my stuff into it, we check my pack size.  I'm in between small and medium torso.  I transfer gear from one to another.  It rides nicely, the small is a bit scant for the shoulder pads, the medium nails it.  I walk a bit around the store, make my purchase and leave.  Did I tell you this is the second pack I've gotten while on a long distance trail?

One item down, three to go. Next coffee, non-Starbucks.  Check, across the street, and done.  Next get out to my friend's place.  A fellow at another bus stop told me about the local transit app.  I put her address in my phone, followed the instructions, and over shot the stop because I got distracted looking up points of entry to the PCT.  Getting the right stop, her place was a quick 5 minute walk. I see blocks on a map and groan.  Utah's blocks are on the range of hundreds of feet.  Seattle could fit 3 into 1 of Utah's.

She stuck her head out the door.  She hasn't changed in 8 odd years.  I honestly forget how long it's been.  Another shoeless home, no worries, clean,  and well kept.  We chatted a while.  She'll see what can be done to help me get back to the PCT.  Being a nurse, she works long hours, to top, a commute of near an hour.  She disapears to bed.

I hang, sorting, poking at the purchase, thinking how is this gona hold?  It rode well as I walked the streets of Seattle, belt on and off.

Glancing at Craig's PCT Planner, I think if I jump in around White Pass even as late as July 24, I'll hit goal and not have to worry about being short on time.  More thought is needed. Now, I'm the babbler of tired.

the real Day 4

Zero day in Vancouver WA.  Everything is on the table from the biggest of items to the smallest.  It's all being taken into consideration.

Yesterday  as my ride and I went though Stevenson, a town in the gorge, I pointed out two starters.  'How do you know?' she asked.  I replied, 'they are lean as sticks and their packs, the size of day hikers.'  These guys have come an easy thousand miles on foot and everything thing in their packs is maximized for going farther.  Luxury items are minimized, paired down to a few grams. It might be an MP3 player and ear buds, many just use their phones for music.  Clothing is only as worn less an extra pair of socks, a rain jacket, or a light puffy.

How can I pair down as such?  I'm still green even with 3,000 miles under foot.  I like my extras. My sit pad is new since the AT, may be that's a burden too.  My journal will stay.  The solar panel is gone for good.  The pillow however stayed since I dint carry enough clothes to make a softball if I dry out my shorts and shirt.  The food bag gives incline to my feet.

I need to send some stuff off today.  I'll comb the pack again and again.  How small of an item needs to go?  The Sawyer back flush adapter at 8 grams? An extra pen? My pot cozy?  Thankfully, I didn't grab an extra spoon.  What of my big 4; sleep system, pack, kitchen, shelter?  The pack, hello REI, take my money.  I'll get there tomorrow, walk in with my remaing gear, and load out in a different ruck.  The pack that is comfortable on my still tender hips, is the one I leave with.  This'll be my 2nd pack swap on a trail, arugh!

Laundry and the spoon are clean.  Out to look for a longer sports shirt and compression shorts.

How do I Casey Neistat this day?  What's the need/set up, the pre-conflict, the crux, and resolution?  Need: sort gear multiple times and send it off, find coffee, resolution return to where I started.  So far so good. I swept a bit of th garage, laid it all out, and weighed everything by hand on importance and perceived weight, the franken boxed what is gone.  I walked to the UPS Store and on to two coffee shops, past a Freddie's where I got a new shirt with a longer tail to prevent riding up under the hip belt and more Nuun tablets aka salvation water mix.  Next stop, a bus stop. That walk is a long road walk under a Northwestern sun.  Mind you it was also in 3 parts of about a mile each. 

I must stay away from social media.  It's depressing me with gorgeous mountain vistas north of Trout Lake.  Where oh where are my trail legs?  Doh! confined to a city for a few more days. 

First things first in Seattle; REI, Pike's Place, and a coffee - non Starbucks.  In '99 I escaped without going to Starbucks.  Crash and run somehow.  Plotting 2 or 3 days from now is a mystical vapor.

Day 3

Sorry, I lost count.  The day 4 on July 17 is actually Day 3.  The original plan on day 2's account was to zero at the campground.

Hike on, Hike wise

Day 4

The house befalls to silent as my hosts slip into slumber.  I remind myself the adventure is in the unknown.

I tenderly tossed and turned.  Trying to be careful on my sides.  The forest canopy played with the stars.  My thoughts wrestling with the morning.  Sure my hips were trashed last year which I forgot about when it came to breaking down the hike.  I also was at a place hikers gathered so holding up a day or two made no difference.  Here, at a forest service campground, the story is different.  I have no camp store with over priced foods to purchase.  There are very few hikers coming as there are campsites closer to the PCT.  My mind danced on wrong things.

I was wide awake when I heard Stanford rustling.  She's hiking on, on into the heat.  I got up when she went to the table.  I forced my stove onto the canister.  It worked, hot coffee or bust.  We talked a while.  She's debating taking the next out and yellow blazing to Trout Lake.  I guess you can't call getting a ride around if you are sectioning.  The heat murdered us both over the last couple of days. Our first two days.  She had a climb of 1300 foot without water for 13 miles a head of her.  I can see why she's not looking forward to it.  Expected 90's again.

She planted a brain seed, an idea, in my head to skip a head.  Rest up, regear, loose the weight, and move on.

Before 7 she left.  The pack hovering in the forest.  As she left, why not Light-a-Foot as a trail name?  She's tiny comparatively.  Trail names are names we can choose to take or not.  They often come by something done, said, or other.  Other, mostly around the stupid stuff we all do at some point.  I've tried to look beyond the stupid and find the good.  Even mine started as something less than.

I went back to bed.  I mulled the possible.  What's in my pack? What's in my scope of do able? More so, what's not?  I don't want to walk the walk of shame back to work.  This is not the kind of humiliation I want.  What I didn't have is cell service.  That's a key role in the next days a head.

The plan hatched.  Though I got this campsite one more evening, I don't care, let somebody else have it.  I talked with the campground host.  They were heading down the mountain in a few hours, one way.  If I didn't have a round trip avail, I'd go with them and drop a group text when cell scervice landed.

The campground host asked me what's my story and the conversation built from there.  People are the story.  She dropped me off near the Pizza Parlor Chi and Sarah treated me to last year.  As we parted, I thanked her not only for the ride but for keeping me talking, enjoying a coffee etc.  For me as a rider that is driver safety, get the other talking and holding something as one has a hard time with going devious if the hand and mouth are active.  Mind you, that's not fool proof.  There is always inherent danger in giving and taking rides from someone you just met.

A text or two later my gracious hosts of Saturday and I made contact.  I also got a hold of my friend in Seattle. I have a month.The plan: heal a few days, send someone else's fear far away from me, get into a pack that will not irritate my skin, and hike the PCT on.  Both of the passes outside Seattle have boxes waiting for me. I don't mind skipping a section or two, that's why they call section hiking, section hiking, you skip around so that eventually you hike all the parts.

Though I am a section hiker of the PCT, I am a thru-hiker.  Thru-hikers don't come this far just to encounter a problem and turn around.  We, like other classes, find ways to get through the tough sections of life.

The adventure continues.

Hike on, hike wise

Day 2

No one came down the road last night.  I got on the trail before 6 and met Stanford at her camp at the next flowing water source by 6:30 ish.  I love a cool morning hike.  We met on FB Wednesday when she posted she was leave from the Bridge the same day as I.  I Private Messaged, I was too and gave a brief intro.  She was elated to met. She thought I might arrive last night.

We enjoyed breakfast there and gone by 7:30 odd.  Hiked together for a chunk of the moring then I went on to natural break areas. Our goal, Panther Creek (ice cold river with a bridge).  Breaks were long and at Trout Creek we met Airborn and Bones, two starters who are a head of the bubble.  We tagged with them for a couple of breaks before we turned towards the campground.  They were making miles even in 95 temps.

Along the way today, I kept checking my hips.  The belt rubbed two giant holes.  There isn't enough time or food supply on me to sit to heal a few days here.  I alottted the extra time in my vaction to be used in the North to get to Seattle.  The humidity ate by chaffing another area as well.  

Her decison to buy* a picnic table for the night turned into a blessing for me.  This campground is full of friendly people.  I'll zero here and post a note "PCT hike looking for ride into Portland or any place near there. See unit 3."

Months of planning, years of dreaming, and like ice on blacktop in July, gone.  

These two days include just under 40 miles of hiking, several dry water sources, a lot of sweat, and now tears as I drop out by injury.  I will return but, I dont see when.  Then again maybe I skip a head.

*camp at the local developed campground. 

Trail Day 1

Last night I slept in a comfortable bed.  Tonight I'll be somewhere on the forest floor.  Ryan dropped me off at the Bridge of the Gods Oregon around 9:30.  I choked up in tears as I crossed.  I am back on the PCT.  The Columbia River swept under me.

I wove my way around and up along side Table Top Mountain.  Met a novice section hiker who was struggling.  I saw him at the next water, haven'tseen him since.  Some where along the way I pulled a muscle, arugh.  Every time I stubled from then on I cursed a moment.

I stopped around my mile 8 about 2:30 still climibing. I drank a Nuun tablet to rehydration and crashed out for a nap.  Refreshed I carried on.  I had 2 1/2 ltrs of water.

PCT 2161.8 I stoped for dinner at 6:30.  A near by spring is dry.  The next water source is 2.5 miles.  I have 1 ltr left after making dinner.

I've come 17.8 miles today.  Not bad for day 1 but, I'd like to clean up.  My legs scream stay.  I sit at the edge of an od clear cut.  Young trees crowd together.  A wood pecker raps on one of the few old standing trees.  Plenty of day light left and its down hill to the next water and camp sites.  I'm gona take a first day 20.

For those watching my SPOTs, yes, I did sleep on the side of a well groomed dirt road.  Had the stars for company and the heat as a blanket.  Eventually, I did slip my feet into my quilt.  The water was scarce and the campsites even more so from where I stopped for dinner, hence the road.

Hike on, Hike wise.

what just happened

Delaying the finale literally to the last minute, I panicked over one item.  The only item that hadn't passed through my hands last night.  "Where's my spoon?"  Every long distance hike knows the anxiety that comes with the missng spoon.  More than anyother single piece of gear this one feeds the hungry hiker thus preventing hangry from erupting.  A hangry hiker with a missing spoon is the last creature you want in the woods.

Thankfully I'd seen it in the food bag a few days ago.  I'm using the food bag as my carry on to Portland.  I left my coffee to make a quick search.  Yup, I have it. Holding it up like the Precious, I relaxed,a little.  Psalm 139:23 "Search me O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts."  It's amazing what little things will create an anxious thought.

I've found that packing the last minute prevents me from throwing excess weight into the pack.  This does not mean that I haven't packed my ruck.  It means I know my gear and I know it well.  There's thousands of miles in my pack.  The gear list is precise to what I expect and adds a little safety.  A midnight FB jump, someone reported that a section north of Snoqualmie having icy snow and they needed traction aids of which they did not have.  Last minute weight but, a Mt Rose experience I do not want repeated. Gear Lists make a difference.

There however, remains little decisions. I've been two tents for the last week.  The decision broke as I spoke with another hiker, of a different style.  He recalled my frustration over the tight floor space of last year and remarked on the convenience of the slightly heavier tent, heavier by 6 odd ounces.  The extra weight isn't going to matter when it comes to good sleep.  Bad sleep however, will matter on big mile days making them harder.  The decision is cut, the Six Moon Design's Lunar Solo, aka the Green Beast, is home, err shelter upon my back.

I told another friend I wasn't going to bring a book.  As I replaced my long distance hike planning journal in the bookcase, I saw John Stott's "Basic Christianity" a book I started to read this summer while in the Uinta's.  A last minute grab and I hope the only one, it now sets on top the food bag.

I double checked my electronics and their cords.  All is good no PCT/OR experience this round.  Time to relax a little more.  Overwhelmed, by Big Daddy Weave, rests on my guitar case.  I'd rather be overwhelmed by the things of God than the little things of man.  I play my guitar one last time while waiting for my ride.

PS thankyou for the birthday wishes

Nerves

Another iShipment email hits my inbox. My food is hitting the trail before I do.  Yet, doubt lingers behind the veil of excitement.  Kingsbury Grade NV, along the Tahoe Rim Trail, the PO said my package arrived.  In reality as I went to the shop that June,  my food was down at the post office in Stateline.  I didn't eat much on the first leg and made a quick breakfast grab at the grocer in Tahoe City thus I didn't need much to get me through the next section of the TRT, Kingsbury Grade to Mt Rose.

My doubt is strong but, I refuse to call as last year many of the shops I've sent resupply to are small proprietor, Ma/Pa type places and a phone call from potientially hundreds of hikers confirming addresses can eat into their limited time to make a buck, a living.  I trust the info from the resupply guides as accurate.  Yet, what if my resupply is sitting in a different town like what happened on the TRT? I don't have the luxury of time to get to a grocer.  I'll resupply with what is avail then move on.

Doubt of the plan and info is the one part of the plan that really makes me nervous.  At the sametime, with the unknown comes adventure.

A late night chat the other night opened or rather forewarned me of the possibility of lingering snow in some areas that may present issues.  How can this be?  I see eleven thousand foot peaks outside my door that are snow free.  The Northern Cascades however, the Wasatch are not.  Washington receives lots more snow than Utah does.  The also have tree cover that shades it longer.  This chat lead me to put an extra pound in my pack with foot traction aids known as micro-spikes.

I made the mistake of leaving the micro-spikes in the car as I headed up Mt Rose of the TRT.  Enter type 2 fun, not fun to do but fun to look back on.  Call type 2's learning experiences.

I'd rather send gear home or carry the weight than not have it when I need it.

Also in the late runnings, though not set in stone, I may have a place to stay at the end of the trail.

Focus, focus, I reminded myself at work.  There is a time to be on the trail but that time is not yet.  I worked on my list of prep to do as I could.

At home, things came together.  Not only is the pack there awaiting, the house is clean too.  The list is well enough done.

Show and tell

After dinner it was time to reset the pack from travel mode to hike mode.  I dumped out the contents of the food bag, the box of food sent a head to my friend's, and the rucksack across my friend's living room floor.  Their boys asked about many pieces of gear.  I explained what it was and why I carried it.  I'll admit, it's a bit heavier than I want.  I erred on the side of safety.  Once loaded, Ryan hoisted it up on their shoulders.  Probably the most fun I've had for a while watching youngsters with packs on.

I met Mercy eons ago before they dated.  She helped with the m/v Caribbean Mercy, of Mercy Ships, pubilic relations tour in South Korea. He served with the deck department on a different vessel with Mercy Ships in England where they met. They kept in contact after leaving that vessel, later married, and had a family.

I was the cook on the Caribbean Mercy for many years including the public relations tour to her home nation.  Mercy and I caught up as I left the PCT last September.  She offered a place for me to stay when I came back to their area.

In the morning the trail begins...

One thing about the trails, it's about the people along the way that make it even more special.

Hike on, Hike wise

mt Hood

Since August, Mt Hood's been my phone's home page image.  She came into view, nostalgia hit with excitement of putting another PCT section under foot.  A few more minutes, another 12 hours...

First hang out with some fellow shipmates of 20 year ago.  A shower and solid breakfast to boot too.

But first landing...

finalization

Trying to tie the last bits and pieces of this year's section hike together almost is like herding cats who are chasing mice.

It wasn't until July 4th that I finally finalized my resupply and taped the boxes shut.  I mailed them the next day.  That debate revoled around the first leg of the journey.  Do I do an 8 day carry of food or take the chance on a forest service road hitch thus dividing that weight up? I'm doing the later, which now means there's another delay or hustle I will encounter to avoid a Sunday arrival at a Post Office.

I'm also debating the tent choice.  Do I take the ultra light Z-pack tent which in 18 ounces yet has tiny usable space inside.  The grey Six Moon tent seen in this year's photos with its floor-less design and awkward zipping bug screen.  Or do I return to what I dub the Green Beast which hasn't seen the woods since I mailed it home in Damascus VA from the AT? The Green Beast is a Six Moon designed tent weighing in at 24 ounces, lots of floor space, and a good to zip bug screen.  I suffered condensation issues in the humidity of the East 4 summers ago hence sending it home.  My concern is weight and bugs.  My choice of going to Washington at this time is based on the least likely hood of being caught in the notorious down pours of the Northwest.

Speaking of the Northwest, NorCal/Southern Oregon shut down the I-5 due to wildfire. Callahan's Lodge, south of Ashland OR, evacuated a day or so ago.  The fire season is taking a toll on hikers and communities, again.  So far nothing is being reported in Washington.  The Facebook forums are popping up with rides wanted, not urget calls to bail out at rhe next exit trail.  When I'm on the trail Facebook is one of the last places I go as battery life is connection and navigation juice.  My folks know how to reach me.

I will have my SPOT satellite device with me but it's one way communication.  Public gripe to that company and their competition, release the new versions in the winter not in the middle of the thru-hiking season. You forced my hand to commit to an antiquated device. The new devices, which are just releasing this month, provide 2 way com's thus alerting hikers and other users to the immanent dangers that happen and where cell services are not available.  Yes, folks there's a lot of territory in the West without coverage contrary to the advertisement maps.  Complaint over.

I am fortunate this year to be at the forefront of the NoBo bubble with so many skipping sections and encountering the SoBo bubble as they just started this past week or so.  With so many, I project, to be on the trail communication with travel rapidly.  Another reason why I chose this season for this section.

I sit outside this morning enjoying the cool of the day before the Valley gets hit with another tripple digit day.  Where will this day lead?  Not on a hike but most likely to the gym for an hour or so amongst the to do list of today.

Hike on, Hike Wise