Day 136

Day 136

October 3rd

24 miles

PCT mile 2654

As Sanford would say, "I'm over it!" That's what I said 16 miles into the day. I was looking at the trail that descended into a deep crater-like valley, only to climb back out on the other side to Woody's Pass. Seriously!!! We couldn't just take the easy way around and cut into the steep cliff side to the left? Granted it looked like rock slide haven, but in my mind the shortest way seemed the most logical at this point. Nonetheless I continued down and then up, and up, and up. In all reality it probably wasn't that bad of a climb, but my body, legs and feet were so beat up it felt like the worst of them all...knowing this was the last pass of the entire trail didn't even help my "negative" mind frame, instead I just bitched about it...sometimes you just got to let it out. Of course with every climb you are greatly awarded with fantastic views. The crew had stopped at the top to regroup and take in the last of what the PCT had to offer us. 

Coming over Woody's Pass

Though my negativity was still there I told everyone "I quit the PCT, I'm over it." It was my body, not my mind doing the talking. I was so fatigued anything over 18 mile days had me beat down. Truthfully, in all the days on the trail I had, I loved every single one of them, the thought of quitting never crossed my mind. I was the happiest I could be out here in the wilderness, this was my place.  And quitting today meant the easiest and fast way out was 20 miles north... Manning Park, BC, Canada. The end of the PCT.

We had 4 more miles to Hopkins Lake where we all agreed to camp, for our last night on the trail. It was dusk and though I hurried as I really wasn't wanting to hike too much of it in the dark, I stopped to take in the last sunset on the trail and do a bit of reflecting.

The last sunset

As it grew dark and I needed my headlamp to finish the last mile or so, Stomper had stopped to wait for me. He knew my headlamp battery was dying and night hiking on this rocky terrian was not easy for me. I was grateful for his thoughtfulness and kindness as we slowly made it into camp.

Ten of us again at camp, squeezed into a small grove of dead trees. Somehow in my fatigue...I choose a nice flat spot, but under two dead trees leaning at a 60 degree angle right over my tent, not to be noticed until I was already set up. Do I move? Are the trees going to fall on me? No, I'm sure I'll be fine. As I continued on to gather water and make some dinner.

The night was much warmer then the previous two nights and we were all able to eat our dinners around a bonfire and enjoy the last night on the trail.