Monday, 27 August 2018
Salem, OR: 0 miles
We went to REI in the morning, I got a new hat and some different shorts. Hopefully that will help with more ventilation and less chafe. So now I’m part of the shorty shorts crew. đ
PCT Day 51: Bailout
Sunday, 26 August 2018
Breitenbush Lake Camp (613.2) – Salem, OR: 0 miles / 527 total miles walked
I hardly slept all night. Partly because it was freezing cold, although my quilt is deliciously cozy, and partly because my whole left leg hurt, from my hip down to my ankle. The moon was also very bright again.
By the time 5:30 rolled around I was awake and unless I snuggled way down in my quilt, I was shivering.
PCT Day 50: Olallie Olé
Saturday, 25 August 2018
Dirt Road (591.3) – Breitenbush Lake Camp (613.2): 21.9 miles / 527 total miles walked
It was still pretty cold in the morning, but the sun coming up gave the whole day a totally different tone. It’s so much easier to brave the cold in sunshine than in clouds. So we packed up and headed out. It also helped that we had decided to sleep in until 6 am.
PCT Day 49: Dirt roads
Friday, 24 August 2018
Timothy Lake (574.8) – Dirt Road (591.3): 16.5 miles / 505.1 total miles walked
How is it that one day you feel invincible and strong and badass and the next day you feel like poop, sluggish, slow and totally inadequate? I guess the trail has this way of bringing me back down a notch and showing me that I’m just a tiny creature, ambling about in this vast open space.
PCT Day 48: And karma whispered….leave it behind, all that weighs you down
Thursday, 23 August 2018
Timberline Lodge (555.7) – Timothy Lake (574.8): 19.1 miles / 488.6 total miles walked
I felt oddly detached this morning, but also more at peace than I have in a long time. Because I realized something last night. I don’t need to chase people anymore. If someone wants to be a part of my life, I will welcome them with open arms, but I can’t be the only one reaching out anymore.
“Loneliness is the human condition. Don’t attach yourself to everyone who shows you the least bit of attention.” –White Oleander
But there’s a difference between being lonely and being alone….I’d been both for a long time. And somehow, slowly I feel like I might be enough. The trail is doing its magic.
We said goodbye to Mark and made our way back to the trail, meeting NoMan at the trailhead, who had just gotten in.
The trail led us downhill, first in deep sand, and then on beautiful forest paths. I was flying today, averaging 3 mph at times, a new best for me.
We took a break at a trailhead with a pit toilet, such luxury. And trash cans, too. I made a Mountain House dinner I found in the hiker box. Delicious and filling. And I was able to dispose of the packaging right there. đ
Time went by quickly, I started a new audio book (Railway Man) and before I knew it I made it to the junction for Little Crater Lake.
I waited for Sink, who showed up about 15 minutes later and together we took the little detour to check out this 45ft deep lake that is fed by a 34°F underground spring. So beautiful, the pictures really don’t do it justice.
Only about a mile further we found our home for the night at the shore of Timothy Lake.
I made Pasta Stroganof for dinner and had some sour gummy worms for dessert. Tomorrow we’ll try to beat our mileage record.
Keeping you posted…
PCT Day 47: In the bubble
Wednesday, 22 August 2018
Ramona Falls (545.8) – Timberline Lodge (555.7): 9.9 miles / 469.7 total miles walked
I woke up a few times, and pretty much just dozed from the moment Odie started stirring at 4 am. I tried bandaging my chafe with gorilla tape…..which honestly, did nothing. It was more uncomfortable trying to walk with that than it was just toughing it out and hoping for the best. When my alarm went off at 5 am I packed up and when I went to get water, who shows up but Odie?
PCT Day 46: A blast from the past
Tuesday, 21 August 2018
Wahtum Lake (522) – Ramona Falls (545.8): 23.8 miles / 459.8 total miles walked
As I woke up by the lake, I somehow knew it was going to be a slightly different kind of day.
Today was the day I would again walk the path I had already walked in 2014. Same tread, same earth, but such different circumstances.
PCT Day 45: Stranded by a lake
Monday, 20 August 2018
Tentsite (514) – Wahtum Lake (522): 8 miles / 436 total miles walked
Everything was covered in dust and ash when I woke up, and I smelled the charcoal remains of the dead trees around me. It was still dark when I packed up (no more hiking out in the first light at 4:30 now), and we walked the first half mile with our headlamps.
PCT Day 44: Let’s try and do this thing called hiking
Sunday, 19 August 2018
Cascade Locks (506) – Tentsite (514): 8 miles / 428 total miles walked
I woke up early, as usual and a bunch of feelings happened….anxiety, helplessness, hope, defiance. Is it a wise choice to start hiking again after only a week of rest? Can my ankle handle it? Am I strong enough? Is this possibly IT? Am I going to have to quit?
Continue reading “PCT Day 44: Let’s try and do this thing called hiking”
PCT Day 38-43: Hiatus
Monday, 12 August – Saturday 18 August 2018
Cascade Locks: 0 miles / 420 total miles walked
It has been a strange week. Filled with more anxiety, but also more laughs than I can remember in a long time.
Sink took wonderful care of me, especially in the first two days when I really couldn’t do much except for elevating my ankle and medicating.
Our stay at the hotel was way too short lived, but filled with many movies, ice packs and fun.
We moved to a local Trail Angel’s house on Tuesday, where I commandeered the couch, and we were able to do some laundry.
OnePiece made it to town on Wednesday and we hung out and watched the Boondock Saints about three times. NoMan, one of Sink’s NOBO pals also showed up and we had fun hanging out together.
Thursday brought with it an attempt at walking and maybe even going to Portland for the day. That was abandoned quickly when the bus we wanted to take never showed up. So back to the house, for more conversations and together fun.
Friday was the beginning of Trail Days, an annual event held in Cascade Locks, with vendors and activities. Many many hikers showed up and the town looked like it had been overrun with Hobos for three days.
I did manage to get my faulty water bag fixed, picked up an adapter for my Sawyer filter (for easier cleaning) and I also bought a new backpack. đ No more giant ball on my back. I went down in size from a 55l to a 38l and I still managed to fit all my stuff. I guess I really have been packing too much fear. And the color is amazing.
One more crazy encounter happened on Friday, no actually two. The first happened during dinner with OnePiece, when suddenly the whole staff showed up at the table next to us, asking for a picture. It turns out that the actor who plays Vizzini in The Princess Bride sat next to us the whole time. Inconceivable! đ
And later that night I encountered StrangeBird. Oh my god, I was so happy to see him. I first met him in 2014 at Mike’s Place in the desert, going on a crazy van ride on dirt roads. Funny how the trail turns back time.
On Saturday we said goodbye to OnePiece after breakfast…..so sad that she’s moving on already while I was still stuck with uncertainty on whether I would even be able to hike at all.
Hopper, NoMan, Sink and I went to the event area for a while and just hung out. So many people there. Hopper and I skipped out briefly for ice cream (Thank you Hopper đ) before I went back to the event area to meet up with Corey.
Corey is a Physical Therapist and posted on Facebook that he would attend the event and would be happy to help with any issues hikers might have.
So he looked at my ankle, poked and prodded and shifted things. His opinion is that what’s causing the pain is either a burst bursa (painful, but minor) or I may have cracked my fibula (painful and major).
He said if the pain continues I should get an X-ray just to be sure. Well……
Corey also taped my ankle and then showed me some exercises.
Thank you so much!
In the evening we met up with some other hikers and had a good time at the brewery. A shortcut to the town leads you over some train tracks. Kinda dangerous for drunk people I dare say. đ
I am still anxious about whether to hike or not……so I guess I’ll see how I feel in the morning.
Keeping you posted…