129 Rain

Day 129

September 26

16.5 miles

PCT mile 2509.5

It started raining shortly after getting in my tent last night. When I woke up this morning it was still raining. I snoozed a bit and delayed my morning start, hoping for the rain to let up, but it didn't. So I packed up in the rain, keeping optimistic that the sun would come out in a few hours, it never did, it rained all day. It was a very wet slow-moving day. It seemed it took almost all day to go 10 miles. I hardly stopped to take a break because you'd just get cold if you stopped too long. Fifteen miles into my day, I met up with Testament, Gypsy, No Mayo, and Stomper, we were all on the same boat, as we had all camped together last night... at least I wasn't the only one going at what felt like a snail's pace it appeared we all were. At this point I had decided to go just over a mile to the next trail junction and call it a day, it was starting to get cold and I didn't want to continue on, having to set up camp in the dark.

The last mile was downhill, it was like a slip and slide of mud. It reminded me of the race I had done previously this year in Nicaragua, but for some reason I was not having fun like I had then. Shortly, before the trail junction I smelled fire! "I bet you that's Hornsby," I explained to Stomper. Once I sighted the smoke a short distance off the trail, I told Stomper, "let's go see if this is someone we know." Gypsy, No Mayo, and Testament had the same idea and were already there. It wasn't Hornsby, but some section hikers. About the same time we reached the fire the rain started to lighten and it eventually stopped. The section hikers welcomed us into the camp and shared their fire, we all immediately started drying items of clothing around the fire. "I'm staying here, " I proclaimed, as that was already my previous plan and the fire sealed the deal. Some of the others were planning to go on, but eventually everyone made the decision to camp here tonight. Not a hour later Hornsby showed up too, I thought he may had gotten in front of me last night as we didn't camp together, but that was not the case.

We set up a clothes line over the fire and hung all of our wet stuff to dry, and huddled around the fire to stay warm, until it was time for bed. It's amazing what a fire can do as a moral booster. 

This rain and the slow miles has me a bit worried. "If things continue this way, I may have to get off in Stehekin," I told No Mayo and Gypsy, worried that the weather would delay my anticipated finish day and I would have to call it quits sooner than I would ever like, in order to make my brothers wedding.

They tried to assure me I'd be fine and not to be so silly as to say something as ridiculous as that. I'm hoping and praying that weather will turn in our favor or at least the miles will be hiked despite the weather.

The highlight of the day...and the only picture taken today.

Day 128

Day 128

September 26

17 miles

PCT mile 2493

Time to get back on the trail and make this thing happen. I stopped at the cafe for breakfast:

Hikers scramble

There were 9 of us at the cafe that Jim, a local that shuttles thru-hikers back and forth from the trail, gave a ride back to the trail this morning. I was in the second group and was back at the trail by 12:30.

Pepa and Eeyore at the trailhead

I'm ready for this rain!

I was super happy with the 17 miles I did today with the midday start. It rained until about 5:30pm and cleared a bit, even for some blue sky to peek out.

Day 127 Hiker Haven

Day 127

September 24

0 miles 

The Dinsmore's Hiker Haven, Baring, WA

A true rest day! By the end of the day yesterday there were about 15 of us thru-hikers packed into the Hiker Haven. The Dinmore's turned part of their large garage into a hiker hangout, complete with bunk beds and a lounge area to watch movies, also there is a separate outbuilding with a shower and laundry area. We watched movies until 11pm last night and then lights out. I slept amazingly...there were 12 others spread out on the bunks and the floor, but not a peep was to be heard from any of the others, just the soothing sound of the rain pattering on the roof.

Andrea came and woke us up after 8am..."We're all going to breakfast, time to get up." Baring has a cute little cafe/store/post office across the street from the Hiker Haven, where most of us went for breakfast this morning.

Baring Cafe

Hikers at breakfast

My huge omelette 

I spent the rest of the day going through my packages and repacking. I had a surprise package from Mark and Cami, friends back in San Diego, with some great snacks and my favorite: split pea soup.

My mom's package was the best, several things bringing tears and smiles to my face. I had about 10 handwritten cards, from friends of my mom's, most who I've never met, with words of encouragement and congratulations to get me to Canada. And then there were these:

"Waiting to bring you home"

From my baby...Izzy (my dog-I miss her so much and can't wait to see her) I'm carrying this just in case I get caught in a storm and have to hunker down...something to keep me busy. 

The "Princess" wand. Once or twice I've been known to be called a princess by the boys of the Caboose Crew. And I owned it too, telling them my name means Princess. It lights up, and yes I will be carrying this into Canada!

And one last fabulous treat to carry those happy feet to Canada

New nail polish and a pedicure kit...keeping those feet happy!

Even the finger nails get painted for the last hoorah!  

Those of you following my blog I've been told that from here on out there is no cell service or Wi-Fi, so there may not be any more uploads until I get to Canada. I will still blog everyday but you all my have to wait in suspense. I should be done in 9-10 days!

Day 126 "I don't know what to do"

Day 126

September 23

7.5 miles

PCT mile 2476 Hiker Haven via Steven's Pass

My determination and frustration from yesterday's slow day had me up early, packing up camp, and hiking by 7am. I even sacrificed my morning coffee to get an early start. I had 7.5 miles to Steven's Pass, where I was picking up a resupply package. I figured get there by 10am, take a several hour break to rest, get some coffee, get my package to repack and reorganize for the next 104 miles, then get back on the trail for another 10 miles or so, by late afternoon.

I got to Steven's Pass right at 10, which was perfect. It turned out the ski lodge didn't open until 10am anyways, so had I done more miles yesterday it wouldn't have mattered much, as I couldn't have gotten my package before they opened.

Then I looked at the weather and got caught up in some hiker drama. It was going to start raining this afternoon with a 100% chance of rain all day tomorrow. Everyone that I was hiking with and around was going into town from Steven's Pass to Hiker Haven in Baring, WA. Hiker Haven is the trail angels' home of Jerry and Andrea Dinsmore, a well known stop for thru-hikers. This is the last hosted spot for hikers to stay before the last 184 miles to Canada. 

To back track a little, my brother, Adam, is getting married October 11th in Wisconsin. My goal/deadline to finish the trail was no later than October 4th. That gives me one week to get to the wedding from Canada. Once I get to the border, I have an additional 8 miles to hike into Manning Park, British Columbia. From Manning Park I need to take a bus to Vancouver, and from Vancouver I will take a second bus to the Seattle Airport where I will fly standby to my parents' home in Minnesota. I still need to get fitted for the dress, as I am a bridesmaid in the wedding. Lucky for me, my mother will be doing the alterations for me last minute.

So back to the drama...I got caught up in the weather forecast, fearing the worst, starting this next section (which is known for its difficult terrian) wet, cold, and tired. I didn't know what to do, I didn't feel like I had the luxury of time to go to the Dinsmore's as the other hikers were doing, I was on the verge of tears. So what do I do? Call Mom in tears, "I don't know what to do" I said, trying to fight back tears, explaining my current situation to her. She quickly assured me not to worry, "So take tomorrow off, it's OK. You are going to finish and you will get to the wedding. So what if you finish a day or two later than you planned. I may be altering your dress in the car on the way to the wedding, but we'll figure it all out." We both agreed a day of rest may help me finish stronger, then trying to push on today through the rain and fatigue. I took a deep breath and took her advice, accepting the fact that I deserve and need to take the day off tomorrow. I am not going to feel guilty about it or wish I was out there pushing on through the rain.

Acceptance is a wonderful thing and the weight was lifted, happy to enjoy some R&R with my fellow hikers, before our last push to Canada. My body truly needs the rest too, besides feeling overall fatigue my ankles and feet are pretty beat up from the last section of difficult rocky terrain.

Day 125 Slow Forward Progress

Day 125

September 22

19.5 miles

PCT mile 2468.5

It started raining at 4:30am, which had me awake and quickly throwing my rain fly over my tent to prevent any of my stuff getting wet. I crawled back into the warmth of my sleeping bag and fell back asleep. 

I got a little later start due to the early morning rain. I waited until it had let up to pack up my stuff. Not even a mile into the day, it started to rain again, heavy enough to make me stop and get out my rain pants and poncho. That only lasted for less than two miles, the sky started to clear and I was getting too hot in my rain gear, so I stopped again to take off the rain gear. Off...on...off...on...off, I can't keep up with the rain and find the right combination of clothing to keep me dry, warm and cool all at the same time.

The rest of the day continued without any rain, the miles seemed to be going by slowly, painfully slow as the day turned into evening and the daylight turned to night. 8pm and I got to camp at Wig Lake...not even 20 miles for the day. I was frustrated by the days slow progress, I would have preferred and been much happier with even three more miles, but hiking on seemed nonproductive at this time considering my two mile-per-hour pace. Rest, food, and sleep is what a needed and I conceded for the day.

Day 124 The Four Month Mark

Day 124

September 21

21.5 miles

PCT mile 2449

Four months ago today, I left the California-Mexico border by foot. I looked north on that day and took it all in with a big breath and a mind full of excitement, awe, and wonderment. I knew then I could never imagine or predict the experiences that would unfold in front of me. 

I no longer have months or even weeks ahead of me, merely days. As every day comes to an end, it is hard to wrap my mind around the fact that this journey is almost over. It brings sadness to me that my days are numbered. The wilderness and trail have become my home. It is where I feel peace and comfort on a daily basis. I have learned to carry only the essentials I need to live this simple life. There is very little I miss from the civilized world, because I don't need it out here. The wilderness has become a part of me, my soul and passion, or perhaps it always has been a part of me, I just didn't know it. 

I am eternally grateful for every mile of this journey, the memories, the people, the views, the sites, the weather, the towns, and everyone back home cheering me on and supporting me...keep it coming, just over a week, this is where it all counts and comes together for a grand ending!!!

Day 123

Day 123

September 20th

22 miles

PCT mile 2427.5

A beautiful day with lots of climbing, 7000 ft, in 22 miles. Reminded me a lot of the Sierras as the terrian was pretty rocky too. Got another glimpse of Mt. Rainier:

Had some interesting things happen to  today. One that I'll share. This afternoon I was walking along and unbeknownst to myself I walked through a yellow jacket nest. Before I even had time to comprehend what was happening I began yelling obscenities, all I could feel was sudden and extreme pain in both my lower legs. I look down and see the culprits. I got stung five times, three on my right leg and ankle and two on my left calf. All through my compression sleeves and socks. This is the third time I've gotten stung on the trail, the other two were single stings on two separate occassions, both on my calves and both through my compression sleeves. They come out of no where, every time I've gotten stung I have no idea there's even yellow jackets around, until I feel the piercing pain in my legs. It catches me off guard every time as I'm usually off in another world daydreaming or deep in thought about one thing or another. Needless to say I am fine, just have a bit of stinging sensation in my legs, that will most likely turn to itchy sensations tomorrow, as that's what's happened in the past.