The route will take us all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. We plan on crossing the Cascades via McKenzie Pass and the Rockies near Jackson Hole, Wyoming. We hope to cross the continental divide before snow makes the route impassable for bikes.
Friday, September 7, 2012
The route will take us all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. We plan on crossing the Cascades via McKenzie Pass and the Rockies near Jackson Hole, Wyoming. We hope to cross the continental divide before snow makes the route impassable for bikes.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Got to Canada!
I finished my hike- I walked every step of the way from California to Canada! I made it to the border late on the 31st of August. When I arrived, I was ecstatic! I took some pictures, found the trail register and set up my tent exactly on the border. I drank a celebratory Pinot and read every entry in the register before leaving my own. That night, I slept with my feet in Canada and the rest of me in the US.
The penultimate section of the trail, by Glacier Peak, had wonderful scenery but the hiking was challenging. I struggled to keep up my pace because of the rough trail and giant climbs and descents. The amazing vistas kept me going and I got to Stehekin, Washington successfully.
Stehekin is a small town in a valley on the north end of Lake Chelan. Formerly connected to Highway 2, the road into town was washed out by the Stehekin River and never repaired. The town is now only reachable by hiking through the mountains, flying in by plane, or arriving by boat. This isolation makes Stehekin mellow and unique.
After loading up on pastries at the bakery in town, I began my last leg- 80 miles to the border. I walked high mileage days- a twenty mile day followed by two thirty mile days to reach the border before September. This section was east of the divide so the climate was much drier- like Bend, Oregon.
The trip was one of the most daunting I have faced. From being lost in seemingly endless snowfields to accidentally ̶f̶̶a̶̶l̶̶l̶̶i̶̶n̶̶g̶ ̶i̶̶n̶ fording a river, I was challenged continuously. Over the seven-week trip, I walked 1000 miles and climbed over 170,000 feet- the equivalent of going from sea level to the top of Mt. Everest six times. I met lots of interesting people and got to see a neat part of the country.
I plan to stay active by pursuing another one of my dreams in the next chapter of my sabbatical- a transcontinental bicycle trip with my dad.
The penultimate section of the trail, by Glacier Peak, had wonderful scenery but the hiking was challenging. I struggled to keep up my pace because of the rough trail and giant climbs and descents. The amazing vistas kept me going and I got to Stehekin, Washington successfully.
Stehekin is a small town in a valley on the north end of Lake Chelan. Formerly connected to Highway 2, the road into town was washed out by the Stehekin River and never repaired. The town is now only reachable by hiking through the mountains, flying in by plane, or arriving by boat. This isolation makes Stehekin mellow and unique.
After loading up on pastries at the bakery in town, I began my last leg- 80 miles to the border. I walked high mileage days- a twenty mile day followed by two thirty mile days to reach the border before September. This section was east of the divide so the climate was much drier- like Bend, Oregon.
The trip was one of the most daunting I have faced. From being lost in seemingly endless snowfields to accidentally ̶f̶̶a̶̶l̶̶l̶̶i̶̶n̶̶g̶ ̶i̶̶n̶ fording a river, I was challenged continuously. Over the seven-week trip, I walked 1000 miles and climbed over 170,000 feet- the equivalent of going from sea level to the top of Mt. Everest six times. I met lots of interesting people and got to see a neat part of the country.
I plan to stay active by pursuing another one of my dreams in the next chapter of my sabbatical- a transcontinental bicycle trip with my dad.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
August 23
I am in Skykomish, Washington now. I completed this leg a day earlier than expected- I hope my pace stays high. The next section is supposed to be the most difficult in all Washington and Oregon. In the 1998-1999 winter, Mt. Baker (adjacent to the pct) got 1140 inches of snow- 95 FEET! I've been hearing that the section is passable, so perhaps the warm weather these last few weeks has been melting the snow like crazy.
Today was really cold- I didn't put on my sunglasses till after noon because I was in clouds all day.
Today was really cold- I didn't put on my sunglasses till after noon because I was in clouds all day.
Monday, August 20, 2012
August 20
I spent the last few days with Benny in Tacoma. He is training for a marathon so I went for an 8 mile run with him and kept up! It was good to see him and get some rest and good food.
I got to Snoqualmie Pass today! It's been a great last few days of hiking. I hiked out of Chinook Pass with Benny. We drank some beers and watched the stars, planets, satellites, and meteors.
The next day I headed up the PCT and Benny went back to civilization. I saw a good size marmot, and got some video of it on my camera too. I walked above Crystal Mountain ski area, which was weird because it's an unusual perspective of a recreation area. My phone's gps app also glitched and thought I was at 40,000 feet!
I only have 2 more towns to get through until I arrive in Canada- skykomish and stehekin. About 260 more miles of hiking!
I got to Snoqualmie Pass today! It's been a great last few days of hiking. I hiked out of Chinook Pass with Benny. We drank some beers and watched the stars, planets, satellites, and meteors.
The next day I headed up the PCT and Benny went back to civilization. I saw a good size marmot, and got some video of it on my camera too. I walked above Crystal Mountain ski area, which was weird because it's an unusual perspective of a recreation area. My phone's gps app also glitched and thought I was at 40,000 feet!
I only have 2 more towns to get through until I arrive in Canada- skykomish and stehekin. About 260 more miles of hiking!
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
One state down, one to go!
I made it to Cascade Locks on Oregon's border with Washigton! In the past 4 weeks I covered 500 miles. I plan to complete Washington in about 3 weeks. I am traveling longer mileages - in the last 4 days, I had two days with over 26 miles.
Coming the last leg from near Sisters, Oregon was pretty grueling. I crossed mount Washington, Three Fingered Jack, Mt Jefferson, and Mt Hood. It had been about 170 miles without a shower or laundry so Cascade Locks was especially rewarding!
Freshly clean and full of excellent food, I crossed Bridge of the Gods into Washington. I opted for the alternative route that cuts 21 miles from the PCT official route and goes past a couple breweries. Unfortunately the breweries were closed, but at least I am getting a nice look at a few Washington towns.
Coming the last leg from near Sisters, Oregon was pretty grueling. I crossed mount Washington, Three Fingered Jack, Mt Jefferson, and Mt Hood. It had been about 170 miles without a shower or laundry so Cascade Locks was especially rewarding!
Freshly clean and full of excellent food, I crossed Bridge of the Gods into Washington. I opted for the alternative route that cuts 21 miles from the PCT official route and goes past a couple breweries. Unfortunately the breweries were closed, but at least I am getting a nice look at a few Washington towns.
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Day 30
Finished the longest leg of my journey today- about 117 miles from highway 242 to Timberline Lodge! I walked past Belknap, Mt. Washington, Three Fingered Jack, and Mt Jefferson. Today I climbed two passes up to Mt. Hood's Timberline lodge. There were a few exciting parts: normally on the east side of Mt. Jefferson, there are three glacial creeks that need to be forded early in the morning (glacial creeks are less turbulent earlier in the day). I was getting to these fords in the evening, the worst possible time to cross. Luckily, there were snow bridges across each creek so I had no problems. I later met up with two equestrians and their 1200 pound horses had made it across these snow bridges safely!
A few other highlights: I crossed the 45th parallel: I am now closer to the north pole than I am to the equator. I also walked my longest distance in a day so far: 27 miles!
A few other highlights: I crossed the 45th parallel: I am now closer to the north pole than I am to the equator. I also walked my longest distance in a day so far: 27 miles!
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