Filed under 2012 PCT Trail Journal …

Pics and Plans

“The more you celebrate your life, the more there is to celebrate.” ~Oprah Winfrey After a brief rest I am off and running and hope to be back on the trail in Oregon the week of July 16th with a new strategy. My hope is that some of the snow has melted by then, that … Continue reading »

June 30 – When to Turn Back

The phrase “do not be afraid” is written in the Bible 365 times. That’s a daily reminder from God to live every day being fearless. Mile 1854 to mile 1858 and unknown miles cross-country to Diamond Lake Unknown miles I do not even know where to begin. Giving up is not something I do very … Continue reading »

June 29 – Be Careful What You Wish For

Crater Lake Rim Oregon to South of Mount Thielsen (mile 1854) Crater National Park and Mount Thielsen Wilderness 20 miles Transportation to Crater Lake went off super smooth. I was feeling excited about sailing through Oregon. I have always heard it is easy miles because there are not large amounts of elevation gains and losses. … Continue reading »

June 28 – Zero in Dunsmuir

Tomorrow morning early I will be riding the Amtrak train from the Dunsmuir Train Station to Klamath Falls, then catching a trolley to Crater Lake. Last year I rode this same trolley from Crater Lake to Klamath Falls. It was fun and am looking forward to the experience again. Dunsmuir is a great little town … Continue reading »

June 27 – Love and Generosity

I am spoiled rotten. Cross Cut, Recycle, and I had the good fortune to enjoy the very generous hospitality of Nathan, Mona, and Bruce in Mount Shasta City. We thankfully showered, did laundry, resupplied, ran errands, lavished in a soft cozy bed, and enjoyed healthy delicious homemade meals. But more importantly, the family opened and … Continue reading »

June 25 – Dancing with Poison Oak

Grizzly Peak Road to Squaw Valley Creek (mile 1489.6) 23.9 miles If you wait for the perfect conditions you’ll never get anything done. ~Fitbie I am cozy and dry in my tent, while rain pours outside. The best feeling ever. Today was a great day. I had energy, no pain, and life was good. Bear … Continue reading »

June 24 – Tired

Deadman Creek to Grizzly Peak Road (mile 1465) 21.7 miles “The best remedy for those that are afraid, lonely, or unhappy is to go outside.” -Anne Frank So I am really tired tonight. The last few miles were hard and I really don’t have excuses. Here is a summary of the day: -weather cleared but … Continue reading »

June 23 – Rain

Burney Falls State Park to Deadman Creek (mile 1444) 20.5 miles To strengthen the muscles of the heart the best exercise is lifting someone else’s spirit whenever you can. ~Dodinsky Recycle has been good company. As I write this in my tent he is playing Amazing Grace on his small flute. Tonight I am yet … Continue reading »

June 22 – Beauteous Burney Falls

Most likely illegal camping at Fish Hatchery to Burney Falls State Park Campground 12 miles “Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead.” ~Louisa May Alcott I find it … Continue reading »

June 20 – Networking

Clover Meadow to Subway Cave Campground 27 miles I did a dumb thing today. I started the day out with a swift creek crossing on a log. It was early, I wasn’t quite with it yet and I was stiff. Halfway across I froze and panicked. Using deep breathing techniques that Silly always is reminding … Continue reading »

June 19 – Company

Stover Spring to Corral Meadow (mile 1357) Lassen National Park 18 miles Last night there was a party of sorts in my camp. Here is a list of just some of the goings on: -repeated through the night a bugling noise followed by stomping of loud hooves. -small scratching noises around my tent (my pole … Continue reading »

June 18 – Gifts

Spring at mile 1319 to Stover Spring 20 miles Today was significantly cooler. I lucked out with my late start and started out well rested. I also planned for a shorter mileage day. I was excited to experience the Midpoint Mileage Marker of the PCT. I sat for quite some time taking in the moment … Continue reading »

June 17 – Happy Father’s Day!

Rattlesnake Spring to mile 1319  before Carter Creek – Lassen National Forest 24 miles Happy Father’s Day all you dads out there. What you do as a dad is the most important. Have a super awesome day!! Just when I thought I could not sweat more I did. Really it felt like buckets of water … Continue reading »

June 16 – Blessings and BIG Party

Bucks Summit to Rattlesnake Spring ( mile 1295) 25 miles Arrow graciously picked me up from the bus stop at the Reno Airport , made a delicious dinner, and drove me to Bucks Summit trailhead. Many thanks Arrow! I was a bit nervous about today. Hiking solo once more and making all the daily decisions … Continue reading »

Bags are Packed and I’m Ready to Go

I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. ~Henry David Thoreau After hiking in the Southern California desert over … Continue reading »

Totem and Jungle Cookie

While I was out playing in the back country last week, Dan was at home hosting PCTers Totem and Jungle Cookie (aka Jenna and Nate). A couple of months ago Jenna sent me the kindest and most encouraging email. Here are just a few sentences from her email that I think is motivational for everyone: … Continue reading »

June 9 – Hiking Hard and Having Fun

Saufleys in Agua Dulce to Red Carpet Water Cache (mile 486) 31.1 miles After a very restful night in the Saufley’s mobile home, we decided to try to finish this section in 2 days instead of 3. Meaning we need to hike at least 29 miles a day. Ambitious… given the sun’s piercing heat and … Continue reading »

June 8 – Easy Street

Messenger Flat Campground to Hiker Heaven in Agua Dulce 24 miles It was a day filled with laughter, smiles, heat, silence, fast hiking, and generosity. Tonight my clothes and I are clean thanks to the Saufleys at Hiker Heaven in Aqua Dulce. Donna Saufley has a full on operation that services hikers as they pass … Continue reading »

Trail Talk

This probably isn’t a big surprise, but I love to talk gear, maps, trail, nature, photography, and trips. Lucky for us that Anna and Chris “Shutterbug” PCT hikers, seemed to never tire of sharing ideas. Believe it or not Shutterbug is hiking with a FULL DSLR camera attached to his hip and a full arsenal … Continue reading »

May 28 – Wilderness and Road Walk

Above Islip Saddle to Three Points (mile 403.5) 15.5 miles With a name like Pleasant View Ridge Wilderness, how could the terrain and views be any different from simply beauteous? I now know why there is a big detour around the home of the Yellow Mountain Frog (besides being on the endangered list). I would … Continue reading »

May 27 – Go BIG, Baden-Powell, Bear

Inspiration Point (mile 369.5) to ridge above Isip Saddle (mile 388) 18.5 At the get go was a 2500′ elevation climb to the top of Mount Baden-Powell with a full backpack. We submitted Poser, Silly Chili’s friend to full on climbing on his first backpack of the year. No mercy. After hitting mile 2 Poser … Continue reading »

How Neat is That?

Sometimes something is so ridiculous and funny that you just have to share it. Silly Chili shared this video with me some time ago and many of the quotes from “Neature Walk” have migrated into our daily trail banter. A few of our favorites: “You can tell that it’s an aspen cuz the way it … Continue reading »

Thank You Halfmile and Friends

A few weeks ago I had the major honor to give the famous Halfmile and Deb a ride to the Tehachapi PCT trail head at Highway 58. In this brief moment in time I was able to visit with this very humble man. You see he is the machine behind the free website PCT Map … Continue reading »

May 20 – Hiking with the Pack

PCT Mile 352 above Lone Pine Canyon to Inspiration Point at Hwy 2 17.5 miles So I just have to finish sharing about last night camping in the middle of a sea of tents and cowboy campers. What I learned: after dark no talking allowed (whispering quietly okay), minimal headlamp use is favorable, get organized … Continue reading »