Category: Pacific Crest Trail

It’s been just a bit over a month since I finished the PCT and I’ve been reflecting on my journey a lot. It’s hard to believe that it’s now almost exactly a year since I started the Te Araroa and I have a whole additional thru-hike to think back on. I covered over 4500 miles in one year and over 5000 miles in the last year and a half. I would have never guessed that I’d be where I am today before starting all this. If I could use one word to describe my PCT hike, it would be PERFECT. There is not one thing that went terribly wrong in 4 months or that I would do differently. I threaded[…]

October 28th, 2018 Mm 18 to The End, mm 0 Distance: 18 miles 0600 – 1200 I was on the trail early to ensure that I finished around mid-day. My friend Jon (same that dropped me off at Harts Pass) was driving all the way from Phoenix, AZ to pick me up. He had made the offer a few weeks ago and I thought it would be pretty cool to be greeted by the same friend that had seen me off at the start, almost 4 months ago. Stellar and I would also be finishing together. We had been hiking buddies much of the way since just before Tuolumne Meadows, a stretch of nearly 1,000 miles. That is the farthest[…]

October 27th, 2018 Mt Laguna mm 42 to mm 18 Distance: 24 miles 1030 – 2000 Sleeping in felt oh-so-good. I slept until 6 am! Then I had TWO coffees and chatted with Zappy and Gail. Zappy, looking like he has commandeered my backpack and tent. We’re twinsies. Gail with his toys Then Stellar arrived and he and Zappy went for breakfast. I was slow to pack up but made it to the PO just as it opened. I bought a few things at the store, which had a good selection, but I no longer needed much. Stellar and I left town together and looked forward to an easy day. We chatted as the miles passed easily. Honestly, I remember[…]

October 26th, 2018 Mm 75.5 to Mt Laguna mm 42 Distance: 33.5 miles 0550 – 1800 I needed an early start today. For one, it’s just better to get in as many miles while it’s still cool. And two, my headlamp batteries were dying, so I wanted to make it to Mt Laguna before dark in the evening. In the early morning, I had the benefit of the moonlight and didn’t need my headlamp. Worst case, I could rob the batteries out of my Spot device. I passed by Zappy’s tent early on and began my way up into the Laguna mountains. This was the last big climb that would take me from about 2300′ up over 6000′. These hills[…]

October 25th, 2018 Warner Springs Community Center mm 109.5 to mm 75.5 Distance: 34 miles 0800 – 2000 My tent was mostly dry in the morning, despite the sprinklers. It was such a nice area that I took my time packing up. I regretted dragging my feet later in the day but at the time felt no rush. Stellar and Snowman had to wait on the post office to open for their packages and Zappy left just after me. I was in a very good mood starting out on my own and enjoyed hiking up a river valley and then through open plains on a beautiful morning. I came to eagle rock, a series of boulders that have a pretty[…]

October 24th, 2018 Muirwood mm 145.5 to Warner Springs Community Center mm 109.5 Distance: 36 miles 0630 – 2030 What a long, hot, and happening day! First, it was a new record for longest distance hiked in a single day. I am inching my way towards 40 miles but I’m not sure its going to happen in the short time I have left. I know that I could do it but with the limited daylight hours, it’s hard. As it was, I walked for a couple hours in the dark on this night. My goal was to get to Warner Springs so that I could camp at the community center, where there are bathrooms, outlets, and picnic tables. I started[…]