It’s a weird morning. I was up so late messing with my clothes, putting up my tarp, eating, chatting and writing that I set my alarm to 5:10, 40 minutes later than usual. I only have 20 mikes to hike today, and I want to see my friends again before I depart. They had told […]
PCT 2021
Pacific Crest Trail blog entries and information
Day 62 – Leveling
I sleep like a rock again. There are very few bugs around this little lake and it was the perfect camp for a stressful day. My food bag was not assaulted during the night, and I took it down and placed it next to my quilt as it is my practice for eating breakfast in […]
Day 61 – The Test
I could barely keep my eyes open as I finished my writing last night. I fell asleep to the sound of rain on my tent and the welcome white noise of the Bumping River 30 feet away. It rained all night, but my tarp repelled it all. I slept better than at any time since […]
Day 60 – Unexpected Encounters
Several people in the local saloon yesterday were wearing a T-shirt that said “Straight Outta Packwood”. It’s a riff on the phrase “Straight Outta Compton.” But Packwood is a million miles from Compton in so many ways. Packwood lives on “mountain time” – a laid back devil-may-care attitude about what anyone should expect from you. […]
Days 58 & 59 – Packwood Zero
A zero (no hiking miles) seems so extravagant. So decadent. After all, I am not a tourist, am I? I am on a mission. I am trying to do something great. My quest is important! This is how the thru-hiker must think if one is to keep hiking day after day. But hikers must rest. […]
Day 57 – Knife Edge
I awaken at 4 am and my quilt is wet. Not soaked, but there are sections by my feet and shoulders that are cold and saturated with moisture. It’s from condensation. The outside of my quilt is thick with it. I shake the quilt, hoping the Dee will fly off. No luck. Just gonna have […]
Day 56 – Charge!
I awaken without an alarm at 4:30. I roll over and sleep until 5:30. Oh, the life of leisure I now lead! It is chilly and snuggling in my bed feels good despite the filth. I break camp at 6:25. I only have to hike 16 miles today. This puts me in prime position to […]
Day 55 – This is Washington (finally)
I awaken at 6 am in the room where Tofurkey was born. If you are of a certain age you may remember Tofurkey or tofu turkey. To many people it was a source for comedy. But it was really just ahead of its time. Dave’s neighbor was the mastermind, but somehow this utility room I […]
Day 54 – Trout Lake Nero
I didn’t sleep well. I was thinking about going to town and worried that I would sleep through my alarm again and not get out of camp in “a timely manner.” It’s dumb, I know. I mean, when have I ever got out of camp more than 15 minutes after my plan? The things I […]
Day 53 – Patience
It was a short night. The campsite was the most quiet I have experienced so far. Early camped close by. Her light extinguished by 9 pm, leaving me to toil away slowly in the dark, pecking out each word of yesterday’s blog post, my face illuminated by my phone. My alarm goes off at 4:45 […]