Month: August 2023

Start: 653.3

Stop: 658.3

Today’s miles: 5

Total PCT miles: 846

I popped straight up in bed at 2:28am. My shoes! I didn’t get my shoes at REI! SHIT! In all my stress over the watch business, (including my slight meltdown) I totally blanked and forgot to get the shoes I bought and had shipped to REI. Crap. I fell back to sleep, and well, too.. but I kept that thought in the forefront of my brain.. I can’t leave town without them!

We all were awake before 8am. Y’all have to know I hated that, but nothing could be done to prevent it. The people in the motel were walking hard, moving stuff, opening and closing doors. I let Margot think she was the one to wake me by going to the bathroom, but then admitted I was awake before that, just fighting it, hard.

We laid around until after 9am, I did anyway. Marquis ate cereal he bought from Safeway, and I ordered Margot and I Chick-fil-A from DoorDash. She ran out to Starbucks for her coffee while we waited for the food. We ate in bed and watched Friends until we had to start packing. I dropped the shoes and REI bomb on them early on, so they were ok with going by there first thing this morning.

We took a bus to REI, I ran in and got my shoes and then we ubered to a place called “Park n Float” to float the Deschutes River. For $24 each, they secured our packs in a locked room, gave us each a tube, and drove us to a launching spot, picked us up afterwards and dropped us off at the place with our packs. Pretty sweet deal. And it was SO MUCH FUN. We floated, ate popcorn and cherries, laughed, and watched Margot panic over ducks and geese. To be fair, I’m scared of the geese too.. they can be mean as hell!

We had such a great time! Before we knew it, we had our packs back on and we were walking to the main road to try to hitch back to the trail. Margot had her sign out, “PCT hikers to Trail” but we weren’t having much luck. We moved locations some, with a pitstop at a gas station for Gatorade (and I got a sandwich), because it was HOT out there. We tried out our new spot, and after 20 or so minutes two ladies stopped at the same time.

Originally neither was going to take us to the pass, but just to a better spot to try to hitch from, saying we were on the wrong end of this street. Then, the one lady decided last second she’d just take us the whole way. She chatted us up the whole hour out to the pass, asking us questions and filling the silence in a way that was enjoyable and not overwhelming. She dropped us off at the trailhead and we had to get our shoes on and get the show on the road.

I don’t like new shoe days. Those first few miles are painful, breaking in the stiff shoes hurts my feet. Eventually the pain eased off-or I learned to deal with it, and I can only hope tomorrow is better. We only went 5 of the easiest miles in the world to Big Lake Youth Camp. It was flat and hot. I got there after Marquis and Margot, but in time for dinner. The youth camp lets PCT hikers eat meals with the camp staff for free, or donation (we all gave a nice donation).

We were served pizza, salad, watermelon, and the nicest ice cold water. We could have seconds and thirds, and we all did. The picnic tables were slap full of hikers and camp workers.. and the camp staff were young 16-25 year olds, more on the 16 side for sure. They were kind and prayed over the food before we ate, some talked to us and asked about our hike.. and then, after most had ate their share of food, but every hiker was still piling it in our mouths, it was like all hell broke loose. Loud squealing girls talking drama and all the latest gossip. It got a little too overwhelming at one point that I decided I didn’t need anymore food and left to go scout out a campsite.

I found us a spot and met Margot and Marquis back where we left our packs in a “hiker area.” The camp is real good about keeping the hikers away from the actual kids at the camp, a safety thing I’m sure, and we all have to sign in with all of our personal info, like addresses and phone numbers, for safety purposes, too. I liked that. It was very well organized and very well ran.

We walked to the camping area and set up in one of the only spots not on a sandy/muddy beach or in the middle of a ton of fallen dead trees. It’s not bad at all. We walked to the water’s edge to watch the sunset. It’s been a gorgeous evening. We’re all a tiny bit burnt from the tubing extravaganza, but I think it was definitely worth it. Laying here now, I can hear lots of yelling and hooting and hollering.. I’m not sure what’s happening back at the camp, but it sounds like they’re having a blast. And that’s fine by me, I’m pretty sure my earplugs will be tuning them out here in just a second! Haha.

We have a long stretch without water tomorrow, and it’s going to be hot and we’ll be crossing lava rocks.. so it’s going to be exposed more than likely, too. Knowing it’s going to be a rough one means I should probably try to get some sleep. Which is exactly my plan now. Sweet dreams, y’all.

Start: 658.3

Stop: 682.7

Today’s miles: 24.4

Total PCT miles: 870.4

Today was a long one, maybe not mileage wise, compared to other days.. but whew buddy. My feet are on fire!

We got up early and left Big Lake Youth Camp before 7am. The day started with a burn zone and cruisey flat terrain. Sometime late morning, we hit the lava rock. I saw it coming and decided to go take care of some business while I still had tree cover. I sat my pack at the trail and winded my way through the sporadic trees. I actually felt like I did a great job, a good 200 feet from trail-like I’m supposed to. I dug my hole, easily too.

Right as I was in a compromising position that couldn’t be corrected, if ya get my drift, I saw Marquis walk by. I somehow wound my way back to the part of the trail I had already covered. I was maybe 50 feet away. Holy head slap and eye roll. I prayed he couldn’t see me, because business had already started and there was no chance of pausing to move.

Then. To my complete horror, a couple we had leapfrogged around a bit with this morning also passed me, in that same compromising position. Shit. Literally. Oh well. Nothing to do now but pray they don’t notice me and finish up. No one said anything to me, so there was still hope. All of them could have been trying to keep my dignity intact by ignoring me.. if they only knew that went out the window awhile ago.

I made it back to my pack and hit the lava rock. It was intense. I put up my sun umbrella and pushed through. It looked like someone took all of the asphalt in the country and jackhammered it into pieces of all sizes-then dumped it all right here. It was hot, black rock, with rough sides. It made it so difficult to walk on. At times I wouldn’t even use my trekking poles for fear of one getting jammed and broken in the mess.

I passed the lady of the couple early on, and after what felt like a lifetime, I caught up to the man as well. He was sitting in the first shade from the first tree coverage offered in over an hour. I thought about plopping down next to him to eat my lunch, but there wasn’t much room. So, I continued on.. only to walk back into more lava rock for 15-20 more minutes.

The second I hit trees again, my pack was off and my food was out and my new shoes, who hurt like hell, were off. I don’t know if it’s the lava rock or just new shoes, but they are hurting something serious. They already have tears in the heels, I think I’m getting a blister on one of my heels, and they’re rubbing the tops of my toes funny. They DO NOT feel like my other shoes.

Anyway, complaining aside, I started to eat my lunch and wait for Margot. I got most of it down when I started to get swarmed by yellow jackets. I decided to mostly pack up, but keep my crocs on, and move down some into a different shady spot.. the trail appeared to stay in some trees for a little longer. As I was doing so, a couple passed me going NOBO and told me that there’s trail magic ahead at the next campsite! WHAT?! Say no more!

Crocs and half packed I threw my pack on like a teenager trying to be cool and “one armed” it all the way to the trail magic, where Marquis was! I had already eaten, but since they had drinks: I DRANK! Not to mention we were in the middle of a 14 mile stretch with no water and it was blisteringly hot out. I had a Dr Pepper or 2 and a beer or 2, too. I ate some fruit and pretzels and we chatted with other hikers, Margot (who got there soon after me), and the hosts.

The hosts had hiked the CDT in 2019 and the husband hiked the PCT in 2011. They had a little boy running around and a baby girl, only 11 days old, wrapped in a blanket being loved on by grandma. We asked CDT questions and talked all things trail. Margot naturally made everyone laugh. There were tons of NOBOs we didn’t know, a couple from Australia stayed and chatted the most. We just didn’t want to leave!

Eventually we realized we had stayed entirely too long and we forced ourselves to get moving. My feet physically seemed to recoil from my new shoes. I shoved them in anyway. More lava rock was on the way. The next several miles hurt. Not only because of the jackhammered asphalt on my sore feet, but also because I decided to step on a rock that rolled with my foot, sending me to the ground in a sliding kind of way.. you know, the kind of slide on actual asphalt that gives you road rash. My wounds looked exactly like that. My right calf up to my thigh, somehow my left calf and my wrists where I broke my fall. Y’all. I’m doing great over here.

I was slow going from there. Wincing with each step, wanting to whine but having no one around to listen to me. As the sun was dropping lower into the sky, I finally got out of the devil’s rock and made it into some wildflower meadows. The trail went through them and alongside a beautiful creek, the colors glinting in the sunset. There was a waterfall, and then around 8:30ish, I finally made it to camp.

I thought Marquis and Margot were ahead of me, but only Marquis was sitting there, making sure to claim as much space as possible.. so we’d all 3 fit our tents in this space. Margot was somehow behind me, and I immediately wondered if she caught my fall from a distance behind lol. Why am I like this? Haha. The two of us scoped out the area and I found a spot flat enough for my liking and got to work unpacking.

Margot got there closer to 9. Once everyone was set up, Margot and I ate dinner in our tents and then said our goodnights. It’s been dark for while now, my feet are throbbing, as are my new scrapes from the rocks. I’m really hoping tomorrow is smoother going. Maybe my shoes will feel better and I’ll be over that hump of breaking them in. I think that’s all I have for today. Time to pass out! Goodnight.

Start: 682.7

Stop: 710.8

Today’s miles: 28.1

Total PCT miles: 898.5

Today was another long day, but to where yesterday was long for not only the duration but also the work involved-today felt easy going, just a lot of easy miles were covered, if that makes sense.

There were no real climbs today. The terrain was just meadows and creeks in the beginning, a bit exposed, and then it turned into woods surrounding lakes and creeks, until hitting deep woods with lots of shade. Somewhere in the shade is where I ate lunch. Margot caught up to me and ate her lunch with me too.

A mile or so later, we came to a gorgeous lake. I had originally planned to eat there, but I’m telling you when that stomach growl gets that one deep deep rumble, all plans are thrown to the wind and I have to eat immediately. Haha. Anywho-we had to get water from the lake regardless, so we decided to swim there, too. Why not? It was beautiful and sunny, the water was refreshing and so clear.

We splashed around and then got out to dry off in the sunshine. My feet felt nice after the cold water numbed them some. If you didn’t know, I’m still mad at my new shoes. After we got to hiking again, I couldn’t keep my pace up. I stopped and took my shoes off for another little rest, when I still had 8 miles to go, and got absolutely swarmed by mosquitoes. They swarmed so fast that I just decided to put on my crocs and knew once I got a little ways away from the bugs, I’d put my shoes back on.

Except, I never put my shoes back on. The bugs were relentless that whole 8 miles, I was practically running in my crocs. When I got to camp and Marquis was there in all his rain gear and headnet, I did the same. He hadn’t set up camp yet, wondering if we’d push to the next lake. We’re at one now, but he was hoping the next one would be less buggy. They’re pretty awful.

We waited for Margot to get to camp to decide to stay or not. At least that was the plan. My feet are THROBBING. I tried propping them up on tree stumps and stretching and massaging. No dice. They still hurt. And the bugs would. not. stop. So, after maybe 10-15 minutes of waiting, I gave up and made the executive decision for me that I would be camping right here, regardless of what they want to do.

Once I was working on setting my tent up, Marquis relented and started setting up too, right as Margot appeared. She said she wouldn’t have wanted to push on anyway. We all set up and ate our dinners in the safety of our tents. My feet are absolutely hating me right now. I’ve got them propped up on my pack and I’ve taken more ibuprofen. I can only pray it kicks in. Because this is miserable. I hope y’all are much more comfortable than I am right now. Sweet dreams, guys.