Oregon-Washington PCT Part 4

July 13--Day 8

I left camp at 5:00 am.  Yesterday and today I hiked through the 2017 wildfire.  In places there is hardly any live vegetation.  The fire must have been high intensity, high severity, or in Texas lingo--One hot hummer. 

I made it to Mazama by 9:20 am.  Shower, resupply box, charge phone and back to the trail.  I forgot to ask about out-going mail.  I hiked to Dutton Creek Camp, then up Dutton Creek Trail to Rim Village.  No campground here.  Last year I talked to a hiker at Rim Village and I thought she said came from a campground.  I have done 18 miles so far today.  I will have to do more to find a place for an inconspicuous bivvy.

The most amazing thing happened.  I am hanging out in the shade near the public restrooms and talked to several people.  After I cooked my hot meal, an Indian woman wanted to talk.  She was very much intrigued by what I am doing.  She asked, "Your wife is ok with all this?"  I told her about the resupply boxes and how the blog worked.  She said, "Your wife is most wonderful!"  You can say that again.  At some point I told her I wanted to take Becky to an Indian Restaurant in Yakima.  She replied, "Indian Restaurants are crap. You come to my house and I feed you and your wife. The real deal."  She was serious and took my name and phone number and gave me hers. 

She gave me her name (very difficult).  Her son her initials are JC.  I can do that.  This was not a coincidence.  Once again God has blessed me beyond belief.  I am completely blown away.  From a different continent, from a different culture, from a different language, but somehow we made a connection

At Rim Village I had 18 miles. I moved on another four miles mostly by road as I have done the lower Rim Trail.  I quit at another overlook of Crater Lake.  Pretty soon I was talking with Bill and Wendy from Houston, TX.  The card he gave me has a photo of his plane.  Sweet looking plane. 

Later yet, I met Greg and Andrea (different last name).  Andrea wants to do the PCT and had lots of questions.  Greg gave me his number, he said to call if I needed anything.  Exchanged contact info with Andrea. 

July 14--Day 9 22 miles Camp 1808.9--1820.9 Road 2-3 miles to and from Mazama Village==4 miles north of Rim Village 

A year ago, it was so smokey, I could hardly see Crater Lake.  I would like to bring Becky.  Pretty Stunning.

I have been playing leap-frog with a hiker named Tim, much younger than I am, like most of the hikers.  Tim is just doing Oregon on the PCT.

I spent the night in an outhouse.  The wind was howling and I was petrified of something blowing into Crater Lake.  Hard to sleep because of the wind. 

July 15. Started hiking before 5:00 am.  More snow patches but going fine.  On a big snow patch, I lost the PCT.  Still dark.  Set my hiking poles as a reference bearing.  I finally used the phone app Halfmile to find the PCT.  The trail switched directions under the snow.  I passed the high point of PCT for Washington and Oregon, then I lost trail again on snow.  Once again, the trail switched directions underneath the snow.  

At Windigo Pass, a hiker showed up.  Not your average hiker--VERY grungy, yellow shirt similar to the one Garrett had.  His trail name was Thirteen.  He did the Appalachian Trail last year in 13 weeks.  He is currently doing 40+ mile days.  

PCT Oregon to Washington Part 3

Two Canadian Women
On Monday I came upon two women from Canada:  Happy Feet (trail name), age 61, from just outside Manning Provential Park; and Gravity, much younger (30 perhaps) from Victoria, BC.

This morning I left camp at 4:37 am.  About 6:30, I came upon the camp of Happy Feet of Gravity.  We hiked together about five miles.  Happy Feet has a strained or torn ligaments in one ankle.  One Tough Gal!

It's looking like I'll be ahead of them now (they are doing smaller mileages in part due to the ankle).  I offered to Trail Angel for them in Washington. 

Trail Magic

Between Callahans were two coolers with pop. I had one each direction.  I also had a Sprite at the truck stop in Ellensburg.  In short order, I have had my yearly quota of pop. 

Dinners

When I was cooking and dehydrating dinners, I found spaghetti sauce and Alfredo sauce in the pantry.  I added the Alfredo sauce to some cooked hamburger meat and dried it.  I added dehydrated veggies and whole wheat elbow macaroni.  The Alfredo was ok, but not as flavorful as I was hoping.  After hiking 21 miles, I ate the whole dinner.

Last night I had red chile stew with Spanish rice and dehydrated refried beans.  Oh my! Better than any Mexican restaurant I've eaten in both Washington and Oregon.  And by a long shot.

Dreams

Maybe it's how tired I am physically, but I am having extremely intense dreams.  A dream wakes me up and then I have a hard time going back to sleep.

Tues 7/9 1728 to Forest Service Gravel Road at 1746 21 miles

A light drizzle started around 2:00 pm.  By 3:00 pm I was pooped. No campsite behind or ahead of me, so my tent was pitched in the middle of the gravel road.

About six miles ahead, I have a 2000 foot vertical climb, then easier going the rest of the way to Fish Lake.

Wed 7/10

On the trail at 5:26 am (I slept in a little).  I handled the uphill much better for today.  The high point is elevation 6162 feet.  At mile 1755.2 is a wonderful spring.  The sign said, "This spring has not been tested for drinking safety."  I've worked on a lot of spring developments.  Unless the spring box has fallen in, there is no way the water could be contaminated.  Spring is flowing at least five gallons/minute.  It took five seconds perhaps to fill a quart bottle capturing only a portion of the flow, so I am not treating or filtering the water.

Due to a combination of I felt better and the trail was mostly easy, I had twenty-two miles in by 3:00 pm.  Plenty of time to do 25 or 30 miles.  I was thinking two more miles today, but it will be on the side of a hill with no campsites.  (This turned out to be correct.)

I saw two deer and a blue or ruffled grouse today. 

 

Earlier in this blog I wrote about my son giving me three goals:

• Goal 1: Just get on the trail and get started.  Realized on 7/06
• Goal 2: If you have to crawl, hit the 100 mile mark.  Realized 7/10 with 100 miles done.  
• Goal 3 will have to come later 

For Goal 2, it says "if you have to crawl,. . ."  Day 1, I think I could have crawled faster than I was hiking. 

Days 1-3--no uphill gear and I was SLOW.  And so I tended to hike with no water to drink nor food to eat.  Tuesday, July 9 and especially, July 10, my pace has been faster.  So I eat and drink more frequently.  In part maybe because I feel better, but the trail is flat for big stretches. 

Today I hiked about a mile through a lava field.  There will be MILES of lava fields to come.  Black rocks are basalt.  Red are cinder cones. 

This afternoon I caught up with a hiker named Brian.  I'm guessing he's in his mid-thirties.  He started on Saturday, same day as I did.  He didn't hike to California border though.  Recently the company he worked for folded.  So he came out west to hike the PCT.  About an Hour after I set up camp, Brian showed up looking very bushed. I went over to his camp to suggest that we have dinner together and share stories.  Brian was already in bed.  Time: 5:15 pm.  At 6:40 pm, Brian popped out of his tent.  Turns out he's from New Jersey, but has lived in California and other places for work. 

Thur 7/11  Left camp at 4:38 am.  The hike to Fish Lake Trail (5.3 miles) was mostly lava/basalt rock.  Made it to Fish Lake at 7:10 am.  Not a soul at the resort.  I'm waiting to get my resupply box, shower, and maybe do laundry.  While I waited, I had breakfast and filled up with water.  I did get my resupply box (thanks, Becky), had a shower, and washed out my shirt and socks. 

From 6:30 am when I left the PCT for Fish Lake until 11:00 am, I was off the PCT for 4.5 hours.  I had seven miles in by 7:00 am.  In the afternoon, I hiked another 14 miles. 

I'm sitting on the deck just above the lake.  I just talked with Becky.  It was good hearing her voice.

Next stop for this caravan is Mazama Village in Crater Lake National Park.

Fri 7/12 Yesterday it was basalt or lava fields.  Today it was slate rocks, since I hiked Slate Peak.

Pesky Devils

Yesterday I came onto a hiker in a head net.  I thought the mosquito population was supposed to be quite low.  But by evening the mosquitoes were much worse.  This morning I rushed breaking camp.  I hoped I could walk away from the problem.  I couldn't and an hour later, I stopped to take drastic measures.  The rascals were veracious and persistent especially with the back of my neck and into my hair.  I finally hit my high bar.  I itched EVERYWHERE.  I put on the head net and Deet over any exposed skin.  I hate using Deet, and I hate the head net.  But I was being eaten alive.

The hiking today was interesting, but it was also hard.  First, there was a lot of blow-down (trees and snags--dead trees--blown across the trail.)  With blow-down, you are stepping over, going around, or swinging under.  Blow-down slows you down.  Second was the rock.  Some parts of the trail are a jumbled mess of rock.  You need to be careful with every step.  Third, and much less of a problem but it exacerbated the situation, were uphill sections of trail. 

This was "set up" day here.  I hiked to position myself for going to Mazama.  I am only twelve miles away. 

PCT Oregon to Washington part 2

Sunday 7/7  Started PCT mile 1699.54 - to California border and back - 1691.4 =7.8 miles times 2 = 15.6 miles.  Then 1699.54 to 1703.6



Some patches of snow at 6800 to 7000 feet on North and Northeast aspects.
6000 feet of elevation and below - mostly Douglas Fir.  6000 to 7000 feet mix of true fir forest and open park
Parks can be bear grass or shrub-forb-grass.  Parks have balsamroot, lupine, buckwheat, needlegrass, sedges
I've done as much as I can the last two days and still haven't hit a 20 mile day.  I felt a little bit better today.  Still no uphill gear.

Monday 7/8 Saturday got to start at 9:00 am
                    Sunday left camp at 5:06 am
                    Monday started hiking at 4:23 am - can't get much earlier.  Had to use the headlamp for the first fifteen to twenty minutes.

• Left camp at 4:23.  Made it to Callahans about 9:15. Hiked to PCT mile 1725
• Shower and laundry and I feel like a million bucks
• Left Callahans at 11:45 am
• The PCT does the unexpected.  Now that I am going NOBO (north bound), the trail took me south, then east and finally north.  That's just what trails do
• I put in 30 minutes extra (up to 1 1/2 miles extra today.  Coming onto Pilot Rock trail was a sign.  I didn't look at the sign, I just assumed this was where the trail turned North.  WRONG! Bucko!! I know you were almost at the twenty mile mark.  For goodness, gracious sakes alive, spend five seconds looking at the sign and save yourself a big frustration.  Today I laughed.  Another day . . . 

• Yesterday I saw two solo hikers--young women and quite pretty in both instances.  The first solo gal asked the best way to get to Ashland.  We talked a few minutes, then parted in opposite directions.  She was wearing tights and very easy on the eyes.  I wanted to turn back for one more look, but I didn't out of respect for her and for Becky.  Later, I thought these two gals would need to spend two minutes at the max trying to get a ride into town.  And then I wondered why there weren't two to three guys hiking with those gals?

Today, I nailed my first twenty-mile-day.  We'll see if I can sustain that pace.

Nights I sleep okay for a few hours, then I wake up with my right hip aching and throbbing.  It takes awhile to find the right position so I can sleep again.  I have Ibuprofen, but I won't use it until I get desperate.  I know of hikers who use it every day and every night.  I refuse to do so because when I really need pain control, I want to have it work.  I had a grandmother who got hooked on medicine and I really want to stay off that road.

Three Goals
About a week before starting my PCT hike here at the Mexican border, my son, Garrett, called.  He was in panic mode.  He had been reading hikers' blogs and a lot of hikers were concerned about snow in the Sierras and so quit their hikes before it even started.  Garrett said, "I've got three goals for you, Dad."

• First goal--just get on the trail and get started.  I am back on the trail, so goal #1 has been realized.  I will write about the other two goals if and when I achieve them. 

Condolences to the Billingsley Family.  I saw in a text from Becky that Dave Billingsley died.  Dave was a rancher in the Palisades.  He was strong in his faith and was a nice man.  I am sorry I was not able to attend the service. 

Callahan's Lodge to the Rescue:  Monday, a little after 9:00 am, I arrived at Callahan's for a resupply.  The box was there (thanks, Becky!) I asked about showers and laundry and I was handed a towel, robe, wash cloth, and directed where to go.  The place was connected to their shop.  Pretty basic room--toilet, sink, washer, dryer, shower.  And I could have had a meal (3-star restaurant) In two and a half hours, I showered, did laundry, charged my phone, got maps, water, and food for the next section.

In towns you can find yourself forever walking to the laundromat, the grocery store, a restaurant, camp, a hostel or motel.  And the clock is ticking away, eating up time.  I absolutely prefer self-contained units where everything is in one place.  You can get everything done and get back on the trail the same day.  The analogy is in car racing--carefully organized pit stop, or Bubba and the boys. 

Oregon/Washington PCT Hike 2019 Part 1

Two years ago, I wanted my hike to be more than a hike.  I told Becky to find some charity about kids and cancer.  Becky has had carcinoid in her liver for more than fifteen years.  Becky found Camp Korey, whose mission is to bring in children with fragile health, or disabilities.  The conditions can include cancer but it is not solely for children with cancer.  These kids have more limitations, more struggles than we can imagine.  Severely limited in what they can do because they are in and out of hospitals, doctors appointments, treatments, etc.

At no charge to the families, Camp Korey brings in children for a week to allow them to be kids.  They ride horses, have food fights (instigated by the camp), sing around the campfire, and do things healthy children take for granted.  And . . . they get to meet other children who have the same condition they have.  This is a life-transforming event.

You have contributed in the past.  Quilts have been made for the camp, monetary donations have been given.  Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Please consider helping Camp Korey again.

Friday 7/15  Loves Truck Stop Ellensburg

• Saw a young woman with almost no leg function using hiking poles that wrapped around her upper arms, kind of dragging her legs.  I am blessed to hike for her. 

Logistics for getting on the trail:

• Caught bus in Ellensburg a little after 3:00 pm
• Changed buses in Seattle and in Portland
• Into Medford at 5:00 am.  Two hour wait for local bus to Ashland
• Hitch a ride to Exit 6 off I-5.

Saturday 7/16 

• Start at PCT mile 1716.2 by Callahans off I-5
• End at PCT mile 1699.54 = 16.74 miles at Siskiyu Gap

Felt bad almost from the start of today's hike--no strength, no motoring uphill, slow going all day.  No energy, lethargic.  The general goal  was 1000 miles in fifty days, or twenty miles a day.  Day 1 I didn't even get 17 miles. I kept passing by good campsites to "go just a little further."  In the end, I had to retreat about 1/4 to 1/2 mile to camp along a road of a miserable, exposed site.  You win some, you lose some.  Today I wiffed three straight and never even made contact (baseball analogy).  Almost too pooped to care. 

Ran into several thru-hikers.  All but one skipped the Sierras because of snow.  They have bounced around more than once. Ten days ago, Hikers were using crampons and ice axes in the Mt Jefferson area in Oregon.  

A lot of hikers and trail runners today.  Hikers of several sorts--day hikers, weekenders, several doing all of Oregon a bunch of thru-hikers.  I must have looked like death warmed over, three men hikers asked if I needed some help with anything. 

I got the names of only two hikers--a couple from the Netherlands--Ola and Thresh Level.  He has a high thresh-level, and she has a low thresh-level.  That's what they said, I'll let you decide what it means. 

I hiked through lots of Douglas fir forests.  Also saw Ceanothus, paintbrush, lupine, arnica, kinnikinnik (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi or Bear Berry), penstemon, spirea, Oregon grape. 

Why did I hike poorly today? 

• Last night, not much sleep on overnight bus ride
• three days ago, Becky said I looked bad
• For several days before leaving, it seemed I was hungry all the time
• too much training on flat ground?

Achy and sore as the dickens, especially my hip flexors which want to cramp.  I'll take an electrolyte tablet.  And yes, I have some Gatorade powder in some water.  (Becky's note here--when Kevin prepares Gatorade from powder, he waters it down considerably.)

I enjoyed talking with the thru-hikers today.  Not much fun otherwise. 

I am giving myself until 10:00 am tomorrow to reach the California border.  Maybe I'll hike stronger.

I miss Becky, Abby, and having a shower.  Oh well, buck up, Cowboy.

The dinner tonight--green chile, turkey, rice, and dehydrated refried beans--pretty darn good.  And with Fritos to boot!

Becky here:  I am going to break this down into several posts.  This is the end of post 1

Gear for the Trail June 2019

The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.  Kevin has done the first step for this year's journey, but I thought that you'd like to see what he's taking with him.

Gear List June 2019

Some items are multipurpose and show up in more than one section.

I tend to think of gear in a system approach.  Everything has to work together and to meet what I want

Pack:

·         I am using my ULA pack again.  I call it Old Faithful.  Also have a pack cover

·         I also have a new Hyperlite Mountain Gear.  It is smaller.  After coming off trail I need to spend some serious time trying to make this pack work.  Pack cover not needed; it is waterproof until it is no longer waterproof.  Becky's annotation--The Hyperlite is made of cuben fiber which is lighter weight than ripstop nylon.

Sleep System:

·         Ground cloth – a piece of Tyvek.  Some Tyvek is very slick and I don’t like it so much--It's easy to acquire from a construction site--just ask for a scrap of left-overs.

·         ThermarestZ-Lite pad

·         2-personNemo free standing tent and stakes.  2-person model was only a few ounces more but well worth the room

·         EnchantedEquipment sleeping quilt (I believe it is a 40-degree quilt)

·         Silk liner to help keep the quilt clean.  Also provides a little more warmth

Navigation System

·         Keeping alert for signs is first and foremost

·         Paper maps

·         Silva Range compass w/ sighting mirror

·         Altimeter watch – can track elevation gained or los.  Can also do dead reckoning with watch

·         Cell phone w/ app.  I will use Halfmile app this year.  Guthooks is a better option

Hydration System

·         Sawyer filter and squeeze

·         Aqua Mira drops if I have to use skunky water

·         Water bottles – 2 are Smartwater (same threads as filter), 2 are Gatorade

·         Electrolyte powder (Skratch or Gatorade)

·         Possibly some electrolyte pills or salt

Communication

·         Cell phone and charger

·         Paper and pens for blog.  Send home to Becky w/ pre-addressed and stamped envelope

·         SD card for photos also send home

Sanitation

·         TP and hand sanitizer

·         Sliver of soap, bandanna, small pack towel

Sun protection

·         Long sleeved shirt w/ collar

·         Cap with bandanna covering neck

·         Sunglasses

·         Sunscreen.  I stop using after awhile

Cooking System

·         MSRPocket Rocket stove  in the picture on the website, the stove is the part on top of the fuel canister

·         Fuel canister (stove screws onto canister)

·         Titanium pot.  Note: I do NOT cook in the pot; I just heat up the water.  Food I cook goes into a freezer bag

·         Lighter

·         Spoon from the kitchen

·         Cozy that Becky made.  Keeps the food hot longer

Clothing

·         Hiking shorts.  Shorts MUST have two zippered pockets  Much of his clothing was acquired from thrift stores.  They are a wonderful thing, thrift stores. 

·         Long sleeved shirt with collar.  Taking Ex Officio shirt w/ insect repellent.  My favorite is a Dakota Grizzly nylon

·         Nasty ball cap that has well over 3,000 miles

·         DarnTough wool socks – thin and light for summer.  I take 2-3 pairs.  With lifetime guarantee why would you use any other sock.  Also wool is not as stinky

·         Trail hiking or trail running shoes

o   Brooks Cascadia

o   Ascics

o   Montrail.  No longer made.  I bought several pairs some years back

·         Extra clothes

o   Mont Belle – wind shirt, rain jacket & pants.  Also, VERY light gloves when mosquitoes are swarming

o   Stocking cap and gloves.  Also, silk balaclava

o   Baseball sanitary socks – pretty long.  Sleep in at night.  Helps keep quilt clean

o   NO base layer top or bottoms.  NO vest or puffy jacket

Tools and personal items

o   Black Diamond hiking poles for balance when the trail has loose rock, crossing streams, etc.  Also, to help save knees on downhill

o   Leatherman TINY knife.  Multi-tool

o   Toenail clippers, scissors, tweezers (probably overkill as Leatherman has the last 3 features)

o   Supplements – vitamin C&E, glucosamine, Omega XL or fish oil

o   Paper and pens to do the math – how many miles must I do to get to XYZ re-supply before post office closes on Friday

o   On one sheet some scripture

o   NO Walkman so no tunes, NO solar charger or battery pack so phone is off 98% of the time.  A lot of hikers have phone on 24-7 as it has phone app, tunes, etc.

o   Canon Powershot camera

o   Toothbrush and toothpaste

o   Medical items in a freezer bag

o   New Skin and betadine.  A couple of sanitary wipes

o   A few Band Aids with a little white medical tape, duct tape and some vet wrap

o   Ibuprofen which I use only as a last resort

o   Gold Bond foot cream

o   On a trip like this you are one misstep from disaster.  There are MANY trippers, rockers and rollers that will put you down in a heartbeat.  You WILL have some missteps.  You’d better be prepared walk 30 miles or more if you get hurt.   There is no other option when you hike solo.  You’ll have a great story!

That is all until I remember something else.  Kevin

A lot of the gear can be purchased from REI.com.  I put links on a few of the items so that you'd get an idea of what he's carrying.  

Getting Back on the Trail

I will be leaving Friday July 5^th to get back on trail.  Originally, I had something else in mind and then I changed locations.  But then in May I found out that the Natural Resources Conservation Service was wanting me to do more work than I had expected and to be done by the end of September.  Ever resilient, I settled into yet another plan.

I am going back to southern Oregon to hike to California border and northbound to the Canadian border following once again the Pacific Crest Trail.  I know, I know, I have hiked all of the PCT.  Why the PCT again?  There is something about the PCT and the trail culture that I just love.  Truth is I could hike the PCT every year.  Last year my son Garrett hiked all of the PCT, all of the Continental Divide Trail and all of the Appalachian Trail.  Garrett says the by far the PCT is the best of the three. 

My general plan is to hike 1,000 miles in 50 days.  Timing is everything.  The weather has been very nice lately but by weekend the temperature will be in the 90s.  Go figure.

It’s Not Just About Me

Though I go alone this hike is not just about me.  Here’s who I’ll be hiking for (and praying for):

1.       I hike for my wonderful wife Becky.  She makes sure my re-supply packages arrive on time and she types my blog from my scribbled notes.  Becky has carcinoid cancer, high blood pressure and diabetes.  I hike for all those with cancer, blood pressure or diabetes issues

2.       I hike for those who have lost a loved one.

a.       Carlos Lopez recently lost his wife Angela.  She had cardio-pulmonary problems

b.       Will Keller lost his wife Jan to breast cancer last year.  Will is instrumental with the Okanogan Community Homeless Shelter.  He said that they need prayer, donations and volunteers

c.       Shiraz and Sigrid Vira lost their son Alex to a diabetic coma two years ago

3.       I hike for Camp Korey.  This camp provides amazing experiences to medically fragile children.  I am also hoping to raise money for the camp.  They provide the camp experiences for free to the campers and depend on donations to keep the camp running. 

4.       Judy Crose recently had three strokes.  It’s been a long struggle for Judy to regain mobility and speech function that we all take for granted.  Her husband Harold is the main care giver.  I hike for stroke victims and care givers of all medical situations.

5.       I hike for various ministries at GracePoint Church – all youth programs, Stephen’s Ministry.  Stephen’s ministers walk alongside people who are sick, lost their job, lost a loved one, are depressed, etc.  Life Groups are critically important.  Elders and Deacons minister to the congregation and need wisdom.

6.       For 40 years I worked for the Natural Resources Conservation Service.  Our partners include ranchers, farmers, conservation districts, state and other federal resource agencies.  I hike for the land stewards and those who work with them.

7.       I belong to the Ephrata Athletic Club.   Mike Scellick recently had a hip replacement.  I hike for Mike and anyone else with knee or hip replacements.

8.     There are so many others I hike for that are too numerous to list. 

So, until the next time, see you on the trail. 

More on the End of the Trail

Sat 8/4 (contd.)

• Pain in my back is pretty sharp when I stand up after dinner, get in the tent, put on / take off the pack, bending over, etc. can be painful
• Once I am hiking the back rarely barks at me.  When I stop to talk to another hiker, the first step or two hurt
• I keep Ibuprofen in my pocket.  I haven't taken any yet but it is close just in case
• It is 215 miles or another 10 days to Cascade Locks.  I am trying not think of the distance but just keep putting in the miles each day
• I have two different bail-out options in mind

Sun 8/5

• Hiked from Stormy Lake mile 1932.8 to Sisters Mirror Lake 1956.5 = 23.7 miles
• I med a SOBO (Southbound) who met Garrett.  His name is Soul_______(I only remember 1st half of his name).  He said Pathfinder was doing BIG miles but stopped to talk. And that he got sick at Hyatt Lake, and went on to say what a nice guy he is. 

10 by 10

• Many hikers try to do 10 miles by 10:00 am.  I've done 10 x 10 several times because the hiking is fairly easy.  I had 11 miles by 10:00 am today
• Garrett via Becky gave me a third bail out option depending on how my back is doing. 
• Realistically, I am in shape for 15 miles, and perhaps 18 miles. Because my timeline here is tight, the plan calls for a cool 20 miles each day.  I've been doing 22-24 miles--two reasons: 1.  To keep me on schedule: to buy the possibility of an easy day should I need one.  Doing 20-24 miles has a drawback--at the end of the day, I am totally spent.  I set up tent, get water, cook dinner, and eat.  Then I just want to lie down and do nothing.  My energy for the blog or anything else is gone.  I hurt all over.  I don't want to tend to my feet.  I just want to lie down and let sleep overwhelm me. 

Mon 8/6  - Tying in my Steps & Completing the Pacific Crest Trail

• Hiked from Mirror Lake mile 1956.5 to McKenzie Pass mile 1981.3 + 1/2 mile to and from Lava Camp Lake each way = 24.8 + 1 = 25.8

For 25 years or so I've talked about hiking the PCT.  Starting in 2000, Harold and I began hiking Washington and northern Oregon PCT in sections.  In 2016 I completed the last 35 miles of Washington.  Last year I hiked 1700 miles of the PCT from the Mexican border to Ashland, OR.  Fires and closed trail ended my hike some 300 miles short of  McKenzie Pass.

"Maybe, just maybe today will be the day," I'm thinking.  It would take a big day but I was hopeful.  

A few miles into the day I could see Rock Mesa (a lava field).  The map indicated that I needed to cross several lava fields.  The map was spot on.  Lava fields are nothing but a pile of rock.  With each step the lava rock moved, shifted, rolled.  Each step took concentration and a prediction of what would happen to the rocks when I stepped on them.  I had to be deliberate and use my hiking poles to maintain balance.

I had some great views of two of the Three Sisters (volcanic mtns.)

In the afternoon I came to Sister Spring.  You could see where the water bubbled up and watch small gravels move.  The water was wonderful.  Three other hikers were there and had no problem sharing the water.  I told them what was in store for me at McKenzie Pass.  A young woman looked up from her phone, "That's only 10 miles from here.  You'll make it today."

A few miles later I entered the restricted Obsidian Area.  A special permit was required to camp there.  In the next two miles I saw more obsidian rock than I thought possible.  This would have been a sacred area for the Native Americans.  I imagined obsidian rock from Oregon making its way across the continent one trade at a time.

The McKenzie Pass area is a lave field and there is no water.  So, 1 1/2 miles from McKenzie Pass, I turned onto Lava Camp Lake Trail and headed for the lake.  Tonight was to be another "dry camp" and I needed more water to get me through the night and for next morning's hike.

Back on the PCT I entered my last lava field of the day.  One thing about it, the PCT doesn't believe in "easy".  The last mile and a half was a gnarly, jumbled mess of lava rock.  Finally, I hit the pavement.  I walked across the road and found where the trail continued northbound.  Hiking on lava can be much like walking on marbles.

About 300 yards up the pavement and I made it to McKenzie Pass.  It was just before 5 pm.  The hikers I met at Sisters Spring asked, "how does it feel?  You just finished the PCT."  

I was satisfied.  Looking north I knew there was an unbroken line of footprints leading some 650 miles to Canada.  Some of the steps had been taken 18 years earlier.  Looking south there was an unbroken line of footprints, almost 2000 miles of them,  leading to Mexico.  

Fours years ago I had a complete rupture of the quadriceps tendon in my left leg.  The surgeon said hiking the PCT would be "iffy".  Well, "iffy" and I did 2000 miles the last two years.  My hike of the PCT was now complete and I was very satisfied.

The other hikers had told Tony about me.  When he came down from the observatory, Tony asked, "where's the guy who just finished the PCT?"  The hikers points to your truly.  Tony said follow me.   There was a Tecate Beer, chips, blueberries and gorp.  Any beverage you do not have to carry, treat or filter is wonderful.

I could have gone to Bend with Tony right then but I wanted to spend the night at McKenzie Pass.  I also had a decision to make.  Continue hiking northbound or  get off the trail.

After Tony takes the other hikers to Bend, I am filtering water behind the toilet (the only shade at McKenzie Pass).  A guy comes up and talks.  He get real excited about what I've done and says he'll cook a hamburger for me.  His name is Gup, a mountain biker.  When I get to where burgers are cooking, Gup has a third guy with him named Sam.  We're talking when out of the blue, Sam asks me, "How certain are you about going to heaven?"

I said, "100% certain. Do you want to know what I believe?"  They said, "yes," so I recited the Apostles Creed.  I think they were flabbergasted.  I told them about hiking for the kids at Camp Korey.  Sam gave me $40 for the Camp.  Now, I was flabbergasted.

WHAT A WONDERFUL DAY!!  I completed the last steps of the PCT.  There was free food and drink.  I was asked what I believe and I was given money for Camp Korey.

My choices for the night -- pavement, lava rock, or the concrete pad behind the toilet.  I slept on the concrete pad.

Tues 8/7

• This morning when I started, I'm thinking, "I don't remember this."
• It took awhile to remember that years earlier we started at a trailhead that was west of McKenzie Pass.  Officially, I completed the PCT this morning (8/7) .
• Made it to Big Lake Youth Camp.  I spent the last 4 miles to the camp walking behind a gal--McGuyver.  She seems pretty resourceful
• Big Lake Youth Camp is Seventh Day Adventist, and really set up nicely for PCT hikers.The A-framed hut has refrigerator stocked with pasta dishes.  Just you know, there was not one bite of the pasta dishes by the time I left.  The middle room is where you picked up your re-supply box and did laundry.  At the very back were two bathrooms with showers.  At 1 pm they served a nice lunch of burritos.  I loved the fresh veggies.
• Unless my back is bad overnight, I intend to push on another 100 miles to Timberline Lodge--5 more trail days.  It is easy to catch a bus to Portland from Timberline. 
• Hiked from McKenzie Pass 1981.5 to Santiam Pass Trailhead 1998, plus one mile each way to Big Lake Youth Camp each way.  19 miles total
• I specifically went to the trailhead because of picnic tables - a pace to sit.  I cowboy camped (no tent) next to a picnic table which was near the toilet.

Wed 8/8 Day 14

• Last night my back really growled at me.  It was very sore and stiff.  Looks like I'm going home.  I am bummed about not making it to Timberline Lodge or to Cascade Locks to finish Oregon.
• I did hike north another 1 1/5 miles to take a photo of the 2000-mile mark.  Now I can say I hiked 2000 mile the last two years

The Hitch to Bend

• Santiam Pass is on Hwy. 20 and gets much more traffic than at McKenzie Pass
• It took half an hour to get a ride.  Car after car did not stop.  I kept saying, "it only takes one"
• Jim was the one who stopped.  Jim makes carbon-fiber bicycles, each for big dollars  Jim is very active - mountain bikes, road bikes, hikes, climbs.  He was the perfect ride for me.  I wish I had gotten his contact information
• Jim took me to Bend and dropped me off about 8:30 am where the Central Oregon Breeze bus departs for Portland, right next to Burger King
• Turns out the bus for the day left at 7 am.  So, I caught the local bus to the bus station.  Had to wait until noon for the ticket agent
• Met a young woman hiker from Australia.  Her trail name - Bean Dip.  She is a really nice girl.  She said the hostel was pretty cheap
• At noon the ticket agent told me that the next bus for Portland would not get there until 10:30 pm.  Much too late for an early riser like me
• I called the Central Oregon Breeze and reserved a seat for 7 am the next morning
• By now it is almost 1:00 pm, I am getting desperately hungry and desperately want a motel room near where I catch the bus in the morning.  Becky is working with me  and giving suggestions.  She found motels near the bus station and near Burger King (where I would catch the bus next morning)
• Have you ever seen the Snickers commercials where very hungry people turn into a bear?  That was me!  My hiker hunger had kicked in.  I could not make sense of how to get back to Burger King and whether there was a motel nearby.
• The third time I asked the ticket agent about getting back to Burger King he said, "You need bus #4.  You catch it on this side of the street"
• I was out the door in a flash.  I verified I was on the correct bus feeling happy.
• A male hiker was on the bus.  He just had a haircut and shave.  He showed me before and after photos.
• I got off the bus at my stop.  Across the street was Burger King.  I turned around I saw a motel, one of Becky's suggestion - Sugarloaf Mountain Motel
• I had a sinking spell when the clerk told me how much the room was going to cost.  Convenience won out, I checked in.  From there it would be a snap to make it to the bus stop by 6:45 am
• The clerk told me that Applebees was down the street.  It was just after 2 PM and I almost skipped down the street.  After lime chicken, a salad, a dark porter and lots of ice water, Kevin (Wayfair) had returned and the bear was gone.
• I had had a shower at the youth camp and only hiked 9 miles afterward.  I COULD NOT BELIEVE HOW MUCH DIRT CAME OFF THIS OLD HIKER!!
• Showered, well fed, hiking shirt hand washed and set outside to dry, bus ticket secured.  I was set!
• At the airport the next morning I would need to purchase a ticket to Spokane

Thurs.  8/9

• This would have been Mom's birthday
• Bus ride to Portland airport was easy as pie.  Getting a ticket to Spokane was....frustrating.  To Mom's credit I did not blow a gasket
• Alaska Airlines has routes to Spokane
• It took some asking but I made it to the correct line.  The line crawled slowly but I made it to the front of the line.  When it was my turn the agent handed me a paper that had their reservations phone number. Maybe I should have cried "party foul" or "I'm going to another airline"
• I dialed the number and received, not a person, but a "voice".  Voice said to say things like "reservations".  Seems like every time I wanted to speak, the "voice" interrupted.  After 3 tries I am darn near screaming "reservations" into my cell phone
• I finally get a real person and reservation made
• Now to check in via the kiosk.  I just made the reservation, but reservation line and kiosk were not on speaking turns.  
• Same with 2nd kiosk
• At the 3rd kiosk a very nice, middle aged Alaska clerk came to my aid.  I think she knows the look of frustration.  
• We had to go to a 4th kiosk to get checked in.  I think it took time before computer and kiosk apologized and got back on speaking terms 
• She took me to the correct line and went to get a heavy-duty plastic bag for my pack
• I was whisked through security pretty quickly.  I may have had the Clint Eastwood look - "Go ahead and make my day!"
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Flight to Spokane was uneventful.  On the drive home we needed to make several Abby stops.  This was a long time for a dog to be in a car.
• I am still a little bummed about not making it to at least Timberline Lodge.  5 more days is all it would have taken
• But I am ecstatic about tying-in my steps and completing the PCT. 
• Just so you know the PCT is a trail worth repeating