9-18-2013 to 9-23-2013
9-18-2013
PCT MILE: 2303-2312.98
-Woke up and did errands in town (Packwood, WA) with Rainbow
-Straightened my hair and added my cold weather gear to my pack. -It was amazing to feel clean, put together, and prepared before stomping off to conquer the wet woods again. This last section was really tough... but I learned my lessons and Im learning how to operate here. This is a challenge, but I like it.
-Kitten is this hiker-dude from Detroit, MI. He is really calm, but super joyful, smart, and silly... just overall good vibes. He got his name because all he really wants on the trail is to have a kitten sitting atop his pack purring and playing while he walks the PCT. It's an outrageous idea that makes everyone chuckle when we think about the logistics of actually carrying around kittens on trail. We realized that we would have to breed miniature-kittens (like toy-dogs) so they would only weigh so much. And, to cut back on weight, we would toss the older and heavier kittens out and get a new, lighter-weight, baby kitten. I love thinking about this. Lol.
-Rainbow drove Kitten and I back to the trail and away from the comforts of town. I updated my blog and called home to talk to my mom and dad.
-My mom and dad have been so supportive of my journey... They are taking care of my dog Sadie, they mail me gear and food as I need it along the way, they send me my bills, they flew out here to see me, my dad has started hiking again to hike with me, they purchased some of my gear, and they follow me on my SPOT device. Wow. This trip would have been so much more difficult, if not impossible, if it weren't for their help. I love you mom and dad!!!!!!!
-Hiked just under 10 miles today. I began hiking at 4pm and ended at about 7:00ish. I wanted to hike longer but it was getting darker and colder with every step. I decided to camp at a certain spot I knew was up ahead per my maps. Kitten had set up camp. I camped there too and we just chatted while we each made dinner from the comfort of our tents.
-It's FREEZING here! And it's only going to get colder with every day. That's incentive to hike really fast- to get your body warm.
-Saw an elk today! It went barreling through the forest. Elk are HUGE! I bad no idea how big they are- like the size of an SUV or truck.
-Good night!
9-19-2013
PCT MILE: 2312.98-2334.06
-Woke up early and was hiking out at 8:30am. Yay! I finally got up, packed up, ate breakfast, stretched, and had coffee by a decent hour!
-Time really matters when you're backpacking. For example, you don't want to walk when it's too hot so you plan your hours accordingly to avoid the beat of the day. Right now, I am in Washington and winter is coming. It gets REALLY cold around 5:00pm, and the sun goes down earlier too. It's important that Im waking up early so that I can walk during the heat of the day and get at least 20 miles in a day before it gets dark. Had I considered these factors the other day, before climbing The Knife's Edge and having a near-death experience, I would have known to camp and save the climb for the following day when I would have ample daylight and more tolerable weather conditions.
-Saw Shady Acres this morning and Explagrance this afternoon. She got confused with directions and she wasn't paying attention, so she started walking south on the trail!!!!! She totally backtracked and didn't even realize it until she saw me coming towards her. She asked if she was going the wrong way (sobo) and I said "yep!" She and I walked back in the correct direction (north) and we got to some trail magic at Hwy 20!!!!! I got apples and a coke! Trail angels, whoever you are... THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!! At the trail magic stop I also saw Golden Boy, Rustic, and First Man. Solstice went way up the trail as did Shady, Puff, and Safari. I hope to see them all again one day.
-I worried about the hike today, but it wasn't all as bad as I anticipated. I was done with the inclines before I knew it. The weather was GORGEOUS!!!! The sky was blue with very few clouds and the air was cool and crisp. I would have needed a jacket on today if in weren't hiking no saw Mt. Rainier too!!!! It was beautiful! The mountain is massive and it protrudes into the sky unlike any of its surrounding mountains. It's covered in glaciers and ice. Mt. Rainier is marvelous. I feel so lucky that I got to hike next to it on a clear-blue day like today! The weather is supposed to take a turn for the worst, and today might just be the last blue-skied day Ill see in a long time.
-Everyone wanted to convince me to hike on with them, but I was tired and I had already hiked more than 20 miles today. I didn't want to night hike on a ridge line with possibly poor weather heading my way and not having a place to stop for 10 miles if things got bad. I stayed behind. But Kitten and First Man are camped with me too. Both guys are really nice.
-Kitten has TONS of food... I mean TONS OF FOOD! He gave me some of his food tonight because I didn't bring much (good) food with me. Thank you Kitten!
-I ate a very big dinner: Luncheable Pizza, 2 pepperoni sticks, 1 coke, 1 apple, macaroni and cheese, 4 slices of spicy cheese, tootsie rolls, sweet tarts, peppermint tea, and water!!!!!! I didn't eat much during the day today, so I hope the calories I consumed at dinner are enough to cover my 21 miles... Probably not enough, but at least I feel full.
-Saw wild mountain goats on the mountain in front of me.
9-20-2013
PCT MILE: 2334.06-2355
-Woke up late; left camp around 10:00am; strolled along the trail and took it easy while enjoying the beautiful weather
-Ran into Poolside from Virginia while on a saddle looking at Mt. Reinier.
-Cabin and wood stove; local kids stopped by
9-21-2013
PCT MILE: 2355-2383.55
-Yep! I did 28.08 miles today!!!!!
-Hiked with Poolside
-Trail Angel surprise; burgers, beer, chips, cookies, soda, hot chocolate, whiskey, and more!
-Decided to stop instead of keep going to make my 30 mile goal... this magic was too good to pass up.
-Sunny and rainy
-Every day I should: help someone out, accept someone else's help, challenge yourself, and do at least one thing you don't want to do that day.
9-22-2013
PCT MILE: 2383.55-2402.00
-Woke up, packed, and slack packed to Snoqualmie Pass in the rain
-Got to Ardvark's at the Chevron and was greeted with warm food and all my trail friends
-Decided to stay at the Mostel Hostel here in Snoqualmie.
-While running up the wooden stairs outside, I fell and face-planted into the wooden railing. I split open my eyebrow; blood was everywhere. I didn't go to the doctor... I hope I don't need stitches! The bleeding stopped so I think it's okay.
-Greeted by other hikers staying at the Mostel- Pepperflake, Shotput, New Orleans, Rustic, Shady Acres, Danielle (Giardian Angel), & Taylor (No Poo Bear)
-Great to see everyone, and to be showered and dry even though I cut my forehead open.
9-23-2013
Zero day in Snoqualmie Pass, WA
-Slept in, did laundry, tended to my eyebrow/forehead wound, rested
-Took a nap and woke up to Moist standing there! Yay! I hadn't seen him in ages!!!!!! Then, Safari ran up the stairs and tackled me (literally). And then Puff moseyed up the stairs too! Most all of my FAVORITE people were there with me! I felt all warm and fuzzy inside. I love my trail family so much.
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