Category: PCT 2024
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Day 56 | Mile 1447.1 – 1448.3, 1448.3-1447.1
(+ 2 miles to Ogre & back) Tom asked me if I was looking forward to hiking today, to which I replied “not really.” There was so much logging in the area, and even though Tom bumped me up to rejoin the Kiwis, it was difficult to enjoy hiking through a forest of stumps. I…
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Day 55 | Mile 1426.1 – 1435.1, 1435.1 – 1426.1
Well, what I knew would happen eventually finally happened today. In almost 900 miles, today was the first time Tom and Ogre couldn’t reach a meeting spot. I had enough gear and supplies to cowboy camp, but the mosquitos were horrible today so that was rather unappealing. I decided to turn around and head back…
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Day 54 | Mile 1406.3 – 1426.1
Another spectacular day in Northern California! I began the day in my full body bug suit, since the moment I stepped out of the van, I had mosquitos on me. The trail passed a hydroelectric plant and a fishery, and then through woods and fields still heavily peppered with exposed lava rock. I met up…
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Day 53 | Mile 1388.6 – 1406.3
A kaleidoscope of butterflies swirled around me as I hiked along the rim of Hat Creek Valley. The weather was mild, and the day was one spectacular beauty after another. The trail continued to provide expansive views of Lassen Peak, Chaos Crags, Burney Mountain, Mt. Shasta, and other local peaks, buttes, and mountains. Open fields…
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Day 52 | Mile 1378.6 – 1388.6
(+ side trip to Subway Cave) After a sampling of the snow and water conditions in the Sierra Nevada, my tramily and I decided to wait another week for the high creek crossings to subside, even if just a little bit. We believe that they are at their peak for the season, and waiting a…
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Day 51 | Mile 775.9-789.7
(+7.5 miles up and over Kearsarge Pass) What a beautiful and challenging day, filled with literal highs and some lows, and the most wonderful day-changing surprise. Ollie, Bianca, and I planned to leave camp at 5 AM in order to climb up and over Forester Pass before the snow began to melt and become soft.…
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Day 50 | Mile 762 – 775.9
Ollie, Bianca & I were pleased with last night’s campsite we had chosen! The night hadn’t been too cold, our tents and bags were dry, and it was a beautiful day. We hiked through the woods, admiring beautiful wind-twisted trees and wondering how old some of them were. The ever-present lizards of the desert have…
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Day 49 | Mile 746.5 – 762
(+2 miles from Horseshoe Meadow) After picking up my ice axe and bear canister, I was ready to head back into the snowy mountains! Tom, ever the gentleman, escorted me for the first bit of trail through Horseshoe Meadow. We said our goodbyes, and I hiked on to catch up with Bianca & Ollie. I…
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Day 48 | Mile 733.3 – 746.5
(+2 miles to Horseshoe Meadow) I woke up, filled with excitement to end my day at the stunning Horseshoe Meadow (one of my favorite places in 2021) and to be reunited with Tom! The trail has been magical, with only occasional snow patches but filled with twisted trees and massive boulders. Ollie & Bianca met…
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Day 47 | Mile 717.7 – 733.3
It was so cold, I didn’t leave camp until almost 8:15 AM, but given the number of hikers that rolled in late, I was far from the last to leave! Other hikers said they had frost on their tent, and one unfortunately had their filter freeze. Tearing myself away from the swallows and their nests,…