At Rainy Pass it's snowing

Day 144, Mile 2593.8 ---It rained for most of the night. By the time everyone was up it was very cold and snowing. We were at approx 4800 feet and had to go to 6800ft today at a couple different points on trail. Every ones gear was wet to some degree and all the tents got soaked when taking them down in the snow/rain. After some deliberation we all decided to try and get down into town to dry out. I really wanted to just go north being that we were so close; if i was by myself i may have. The PCT alumni told us they could take us down to Mazama(closest town) in two trips. It was a great relief as hitching with 7 folks was going to be more than challenging. Shortly after the first car load left Hawkeye (one of the passengers) came back. He said as they pulled out on the highway a guy came down the road in distress. He rolled his car twice and felt OK but thought he might need some medical attention. Hawkeye gave up his seat quickly. Long story short, we ended up being invited to dry out at his vacation home in Mazama. It is an awesome place. In fact i am writing this sitting in a plush leather recliner right now. It turned out to be his lucky day and the doctors couldn't find anything wrong after a battery of tests. It was our lucky day to get to spend a day in this great house while all the gear dried out. Dry for now anyway. Tomorrow there is a 20 percent chance of rain, the next day 70. Temps anywhere from low 30's to 50's - who knows really. Still planning on getting there by Thursday but a later arrival and less time to hang at the monument unfortunately. We are getting out of here early tomorrow hoping to make big miles so i should go to sleep. Thought of the day; pay it forward. Song of the day; push it by salt-n-peppa. Cravings of the day; honey crisp apples with caramel, eggs benedict, french bread french toast.


JWC on the PCT

At Rainy Pass it's raining

Day 144, Mile 2593.8---Got an early start this morning by catching the first bus out. Stopped by the Stehekin Pastry Co. to pick up my order and a few day-old items for breakfast. It was there that i failed a test of the PCT. I thought i recognized a very pretty girl working in the back as a fellow UCSB grad. Instead of saying "excuse me did you go to UCSB?" or "you look really familiar" i just stared. Real smooth. I was pissed at myself that i thought i had been gaining all this confidence on the trip, and yet i couldn't even ask a girl where she went to school. Anyway we got back on trail a little after 9. It looked promising early on weather wise, but by the end of the day it rained for most of the time. I arrived last at Rainy Pass to find everyone enjoying some great trail magic. Some former PCT alumni had a tent set up with tons of beer and hot dogs. Although i was grateful, i was a little concerned that i wouldn't be able to eat down my pack weight. For some reason on this leg i thought it was a good idea to pack almost 5 days of food plus what feels like 3-5lbs of baked goods. I think i will be gaining weight down the home stretch. I didn't sleep too well last night so i am going to lay it down now. Thought of the day; what should i write in the border log? Song of the day; iiii neeed a liiight light. to help me smowwwk awayyyy this paaayaain - some rapper. Also, wouuuuld you knooowww my naaayme, if i saw you in hehvunn - Eric Clapton. Craving of the day; half a cantaloupe filled with blueberries.

JWC on the PCT

Last Zero

Day 143, a zero---Today was nothing short of awesome. I had breakfast with part of the crew at 8:30am. I enjoyed a Loraine omelet with potatoes and toast and a slice of apple pie a la mode. We then checked out and had some time to sit and wait for the 11o'clock bus to the bakery. Last night we found out the place was booked solid for tonight because of a wedding so our zero was in jeopardy. While we waited for the bus the front desk informed us we got a room. Later on in the day we got a second room, so its all good. The bakery visit was awesome part two. A sandwich, an orange twist, a peach iced tea, side of potato salad, and a lemon bar for lunch. I pre-ordered some things to pack out tomorrow which should be wonderful. For 20 bucks i got lunch and breakfast for the next 4 days on trail. We said farewell to Lorenzo at the bakery and he got a little teary eyed. Hopefully i will catch up with him in Manning Park. Moonpie came in to town by noon and it is her birthday tomorrow, so naturally we had another birthday dinner party this evening. I had the pasta primavera with chicken and shrimp, a salad, clam appetizer, a large piece of carrot cake with a scoop or two of strawberry ice cream on the side - all wonderful. I think i was wrong about my hiker appetite lacking, maybe i just had an off day yesterday. I didn't feel full afterwards but my distended stomach showed otherwise. As I was getting ready for bed Landshark said i looked pregnant so i recreated the Demi Moore Vanity Fair(or something like that) cover and he took my picture. No, that will not make it on the blog. It's late now, the rain started about 2 hours ago and hasn't let up. Hopefully it will have passed over by the morning and we can hike on in good weather. Rain is nice to fall asleep to when you have a roof over your head. Thought of the day; stereotypes are too easy, too simple, too dumb, to be useful. Song of the day; yo no se. Craving of the day; fresh fruit of any type, the orange slice with my breakfast was all i got today.


JWC on the PCT

Steak in Stehekin

Day 142, Mile 2574.1---We made good time this morning and got to the bus stop by 11:45ish. It was a slightly strange feeling when the bus pulled up with Don't Panic and Nick on board headed back out. Strange because it was a real goodbye this time. Odd to see Don't Panic whom I've spent time with here and there and shared experiences with, take off for the end, the finish. But that feeling quickly dissipated as i started to dream of the bakery that seemed so close now. The bus stopped just long enough for everyone to buy an item or two. I bought a day-old cinnamon roll and a bacon & swiss croissant; both were delicious. We decided to get a room at the Lodge and proceeded to do the usual town stuff. I got my last box today from the parentos. Received my passport, Canadian entry papers, Jack Daniels, and cigar; all the essentials to cross the border in style. Also the same food that i've been eating for the entire state of Washington. I'm not complaining, but if i see any sort of snack cracker mix when i get home i may vomit spontaneously. Speaking of food, we had a wonderful dinner this evening at the lodge restaurant. I had beef medallions in a mushroom demi-glaze. I couldn't finish it. I think my body is starting to finally adapt to this way of life. While the hunger is still there, once i start eating the appetite sometimes fails me. I've even gained some weight back; per the Dinsmores scale i am around 152lbs now. We celebrated Lorenzo's birthday at dinner and afterward in a lounge area with cake, champagne and wine. I think a great time was had by all. It hit me at the time that this was a "last" something as well. Although i will miss these folks and the trail lifestyle i really can't wait to have this trip under my belt and accomplished. I won't have to wait long, 5 more days -ish. Thought of the day; opportunities are always there. Song of the day; i do not recall. Craving of the day; an "orange twist" pastry that i saw but didn't get today at the bakery, hopefully tomorrow.


JWC on the PCT

Blowdown City

Day 141, Mile 2562---Sat on a saddle in the middle of the wilderness with friends and watched the sunrise over the mountains. Great way to start my day. That however, was about it for enjoyable things today. The rest of the day was filled with fighting my way through branches, stepping, climbing, and vaulting over fallen trees, and tripping. Lots and lots of tripping. My feet have started to mutiny at this point and i trip at least 10 times a day, sometimes to the point of falling on my face. After working our way through Blowdown City we arrived at the Swiattle River and the site of the infamous log crossing. It turned out to be nothing like we heard. The log was thin not wide, the water was 5ft below it not 8 and the crossing was not certain death if you fell in. Nonetheless it was challenging because although certain death was not foreseeable, you still wouldn't have a very good day if you did in fact take the plunge. We did one last 2000ft+ climb following the river crossing and then a descent to Hemlock Camp where we are presently. If it's labeled as a camp in both guidebooks you can assume there will be mice, and there are. It's just lovely. I hung my pack on a tree so hopefully they won't keep me up all night scurrying around it. Early start tomorrow to get to the 12:15 bus to Stehekin on time. It's crazy that tomorrow i will arrive at my last town stop on the entire trail. I cannot wait for this bakery, the hype better be more accurate than the log crossing's. Thought of the day; i walk and therefore i am - going somewhere. Song of the day; donnnnt speeek, i knooow whut yerrr thinkinnnn, dohhhhnt tell me cuz it hurrrrts - No Doubt? Craving of the day; Thai food.


JWC on the PCT

Going North feels like I'm climbing the earth

Day 140, Mile 2539.4---Up, dowwwwn, up, down, uuuup. Two 2000ft climbs, one 1000ft climb, one 500ft climb. A fairly brutal day. Saw two more bears today, not close but that was a good thing because you could actually sit and watch them for awhile. The clouds burned off by the afternoon and so far so good. We all keep expecting rain, in fact as i type this i am imagining waking to the sound of drops in the morning. Tomorrow starts the section of trail that is un-maintained. We passed a few southbounders who said it was pretty terrible but only lasted for about 2 miles. This section of trail has been closed for the past 5 years and was just recently opened back up even though its not been entirely re-done. Anyway all that to explain it's going to be tough. I have had a couple of times the last few days where my body says no mas and my mind has almost agreed. I have had other awe-some times like last nights sunset and this evenings moonrise as well. Times where you just pause and go wow, i am extremely lucky to be out here. It will all be over in a matter of days now, definitely bitter sweet, but more sweet. Tonight i am camped with Hoffa, Landshark & Caterpillar. Hawkeye, Danger-Prone and Lorenzo are just 0.7 miles ahead. I should mention Lorenzo, he is an incredible man. A soon to be 59 year old Italian, he came to the U.S. to hike the trail knowing hardly any English. His boots are big, his pack is large, a giant Nikon D80 SLR hangs from his neck. He shaved with an electric tri-foil razor at the top of Fire Creek Pass today. Whenever you talk to him you cannot help mimicking the cadence with which he speaks. Although he wants his trail name to be Walker Wolf, everyone calls him Uncle Lorenzo. One of the great people and characters of the trail. It's late. Thought of the day; i wonder if my parents will meet me in baggage claim or at the gate with a welcome home sign. Song of the day; daaammm this traffic jammm how i hayt to be layyt, hurts my mowter to go soooo slowwww! - some jazz group. Craving of the day; bonzai burger from Red Robin with the all you can eat fries.


JWC on the PCT

Bears Number 8,9 &10

Day 139, Mile 2517ish---I'll start where i left off. We hiked well past dark last night. It was myself, Landshark & Caterpillar, Hawkeye & Danger-Prone. I walked point and decided i did not need a headlamp given the relatively bright moon. That was until i fell for the second time all the way to the ground with my immense pack pinning me. The rest of the folks thought it was hilarious and i laughed pretty hard myself. I had gone too long without food and i was getting a little careless in my application of foot to ground in my attempt at forward motion. When we got into camp we were informed that some non thru-hikers were already asleep. There was only room enough left to cowboy and i didn't want to use my headlamp as it might bother some of those also cowboying and trying to sleep; hence the moonlight writing. Also I didn't cook since it was so late and luckily after only a bagel and some water i slept through the night without feeling like i was starving. Today went well but short and late. Oddly enough we (me, L&C) only made 23ish miles and we got in well after dark. Managed to get dinner this time though, very satisfying. Oh as i am falling asleep and about to end this i realize i should speak to the title of this post. This leg of the trail is crawling with both bears and deer hunters. Season opened yesterday i think. Anyway i saw 3 bears, 2 up close. OK sleep is winning the battle. Thought of the day; i am really looking forward to flying on a plane. Song of the day; lehhhts goooo flyyyy a kiyeeeet up tooo the higheeeest hiyeeet - Mary Poppins. Craving of the day; butter cookies and the bakery products in Stehekin - gotta get there.


JWC on the PCT