The proper term is “grief.” The PCT is closed. It is simpler for California to focus on fighting fires and preventing new ones if they close all the national forests. Except for the occasional section that runs through private land or a national park, the PCT runs through national forest land. My thru-hike is done…until […]
Author: David Somers
Days 86 to 90 – Flipping
The blog summarizes the events between my departure from Hart’s Pass and my arrival at Sonora Pass. Tacoma In Tacoma I stay at the home of Robert and Cindy, the wonderful couple I met at the Bridgeside Restaurant in Cascade Locks. Their offer to help the Debbies and me was no idle offer. Robert stayed […]
Adjustments
Fire Closures Everyone is aware that fires have broken out across the west. I feel like first I should acknowledge the devastation created by these fires in human and natural communities. It is awful. Secondly, my hike has been affected. The national forests in Northern California have been closed to hikers. This is for their […]
Days 84 & 85 – Waiting at Hart’s Pass
The temperatures last night were in the 30’s but I sleep well and don’t get out of bed until 6:30. Lucy and Canoe are camping near me, so I walk down the road a ways to avoid disturbing their sleep. Waiting for Robert I text Robert about seeing the Debbies on the trail, reporting that […]
Day 83 – Back to Hart’s Pass
Last night the snow did not persist enough to accumulate on anything. My tarp is only mildly damp. Moving Target and Jazzy left for the monument at 6 am. They left their tents in camp. Cold start I pry myself out of bed at 6:30. The rain has stopped, but it could start again at […]
Day 82 – O Canada
It does not stop raining. I am pissed. It is supposed to be clear today. I lay in my tarp waiting for it to stop. The three men that finished their quest yesterday walk happily around, breaking down their camp. They annoy me because the rain does not seem to bother them. Finally, when everyone […]
Day 81 – Night Terror
Last night I awoke at 11:30 because something was very wrong. It was pouring outside – hail mixed with rain. I reach out to see if the ground under my tarp is wet. The entire ground is covered in a half inch of cold water! The only reason I am still dry is that I […]
Day 80 – Running for Cover
I slept well enough. It did not rain, so my tarp was unnecessary. Rain is in the forecast today so I have rearranged my pack for bad weather. My sleeping cap and fleece are packed with my clothes and put in a waterproof compartment. My rain jacket is in an outside pocket. It is cool […]
Day 79 – Rainy Pass
I can’t sleep in a bed. I can’t sleep on the trail. I am hopeless. The stars were pretty though. And for the first time in months I did not apply bug spray. Let’s hope that continues. Planning In my original plan to reach the border, I had anticipated 14 miles today. But because I […]
Day 77 & 78 – Stehekin
Yesterday, I agreed to leave camp with Moving Target and Hornet at 5:30 to give us plenty of time to get to the High Bridge area on the road to Stehekin. But because I have learned that hikers lie about their departure time, I am ready to go at 5:20, and so are they. To […]