Archive for August 2015
Day 105: Fire and Water
August 13, 2015 Hwy 62 – Mazama Village (1829.5) to Forest Road 961 (1853.1) 23.6 PCT miles today, 1 non-PCT miles today 1895.4 miles total Today’s Elevation Gain/Loss: + 2,374 ft, – 2,771 ft As it turns out, all the confusion and concern surrounding the fire and whether we could hike today was greatly influenced…
Read MoreDay 104: Little Did We Know
August 12, 2015 Snow Lakes (1803.7) to Hwy 62 – Mazama Village (1829.5) 25.8 PCT miles today, 1 non-PCT mile today 1870.8 miles total Today’s Elevation Gain/Loss: + 3,234 ft, – 3,676 ft This evening could not have ended more pleasantly than it did. We looked forward to arriving at Mazama Village because it meant…
Read MoreDay 103: Doing Hard Time
August 11, 2015 Tentsite before Hwy 140 (1775.2) to Snow Lakes (1803.7) 28.5 PCT miles today 1844.0 miles total Today’s Elevation Gain/Loss: + 3,550 ft, – 2,209 ft Somehow, despite tired bodies and very sore feet, we managed to pull 28.5 miles today. It didn’t come easy, and it certainly didn’t come quickly. We have…
Read MoreDay 102: A Truly Boring Trail
August 10, 2015 Little Hyatt Reservoir Outlet (1748.8) to Tentsite before Hwy 140 (1775.2) 26.4 PCT miles today 1815.5 miles total Today’s Elevation Gain/Loss: + 3,600 ft, – 3,196 ft It took another full day of hiking, but I think we’re finally starting to get our trail legs back. Apparently, taking two zeroes requires that…
Read MoreDay 101: Breaking the Cycle
August 9, 2015 Ashland (1726.5) to Little Hyatt Reservoir Outlet (1748.8) 22.3 PCT miles today 1789.1 miles total Today’s Elevation Gain/Loss: + 3,965 ft, – 3,524 ft Today was much harder than it should have been. The trail was nice and smooth, the weather moderate, and the elevation gain and loss was almost imperceptible. However,…
Read MoreDay 100: A Whole Lotta Nada
August 8, 2015 Ashland (1726.5) 0 miles today 1766.8 miles total Today’s Elevation Gain/Loss: + 0 ft, – 0 ft Normally on Day 100 of this hike I would write all about what it feels like to have hiked and camped for 100 days straight, but seeing as how I spent almost all day laying…
Read MoreDay 99: Busy Bodies
August 7, 2015 Ashland (1726.5) 0 miles today 1766.8 miles total Today’s Elevation Gain/Loss: + 0 ft, – 0 ft This morning was the highlight of today’s zero. We took our time packing up and getting ready, but once the lodge opened back up, we were seated inside sipping delicious coffee and socializing with our…
Read MoreDay 98: Real Life Oregon Trail
August 6, 2015 (19th Re-Ration – Ashland) Tentsite after Wrangle Gap (1707.8) to Callahan’s Resort – Ashland (1726.5) 18.7 PCT miles today 1766.8 miles total Today’s Elevation Gain/Loss: + 2,322 ft, – 4,809 ft This is the stuff backpackers’ dreams are made of. The trail in Oregon has already started living up to its reputation…
Read MoreDay 97: Moving On Up
August 5, 2015 Bear Dog Spring (1682.8) to Tentsite after Wrangle Gap (1707.8) 25.0 PCT miles today 1748.1 miles total Today’s Elevation Gain/Loss: + 4,513 ft, – 4,050 ft Last night, when I said that crossing the border into Oregon would be bittersweet, I was wrong. It was nothing but exciting and satisfying. California remained…
Read MoreDay 96: The Game of Telephone
August 4, 2015 Seiad Valley RV Park (1662.1) to Bear Dog Spring (1682.8) 20.7 PCT miles today 1723.1 miles total Today’s Elevation Gain/Loss: + 7,160 ft, – 2,497 ft A funny thing happens out here on the PCT. Remember that game “telephone” that you used to play in elementary school? The one where you pass…
Read More