I knew it was too good to be true! Blogspot offers free blogging and picture upload, packages it in an attractive website and doesn't clutter it up with ads. CATCH: If you want to post more than a few hundred photos, better dig the change out of your couch.
So rather than paying a measly $2.50 a month, I'm taking my story to WordPress, a slightly-more-complex website with unlimited pictures.
So, if you want to keep up with the breathtaking, thrilling tales of Grolar Bear on the PCT, click here: http://anotherflatfootedadventure.wordpress.com/
Sunday, December 2, 2012
August 14, 2012 - Yellowjackets, Skeeters and Leeches, Oh My!
Day 59
Trapper Creek Campground
On PCT detour trail
Willamette National Forest
Miles: 27
Trip: 1055
(In the interest of efficiency and maximizing sleep hours, tonight's journal interest will be in bullet point form)
Trail Mix
The mosquitoes struck back this morning with a vengeance. It seems that hundreds were waiting for us to get up and out of our tent. I didn't deal with them for long, reached for the deet in no time. Snausage was out of camp early and we left shortly after. Its honestly hard to enjoy camp with hundreds of mosquitoes buzzing around your face.
Made great time to Windego Pass, where I met Just Bill. Hotshot showed up as well. We then had to decide weather to take the Crescent Lake alternate or not. Snausage did a really good job convincing us to take the alternate, promising less mosquitoes, easier trail, more water, and 7 less miles. We were sold. Today I really enjoyed hiking with Snausage, Just Bill, and of course Grolar Bear.
The alternate was alright. Flat for the most part, very easy miles. But the dust was horrendous. These trails are used by horses a bunch, I think they tear up the trail pretty good. But we had plenty of water and very few mosquitoes.
I was exhausted all day today. I woke up last night needing to pee, eat, and drink water. Of course I waited for over an hour before doing any of that, so lost a lot of sleep.
These days seem to fly by. I often get completely lost in thought while hiking by myself. I no longer think about the motion of walking, it mostly just happens. The miles fly by and I feel great.
We made it to a campground around 7 pm. I think we hiked nearly 29 miles today. This campground along Trapper Creek has huckleberries everywhere. Groaler Bear, Snausage, and myself are paying $15 for this campsite. I would have hesitated but I was exhausted and the huckleberries are amazing. This is the most I have ever seen, and I will certainly eat my $5 worth of berries tomorrow morning.
We have 77 miles to Bend. Plan to get there on Friday. If we do make it, we will have hiked over 325 miles in just 12 days. That will be a new record for me, and is amazing for Lauren too. Time for some much needed rest.
Trapper Creek Campground
On PCT detour trail
Willamette National Forest
Miles: 27
Trip: 1055
(In the interest of efficiency and maximizing sleep hours, tonight's journal interest will be in bullet point form)
Trail Mix
- Insect invasion of tent. Yellowjacket attack!
- Mosquitoes revenge: worst since Northern Yosemite. DEET was applied without hesitation. Upside: mosquitoes are excellent motivation for fast hiking.
- Took an alternate route off of PCT (aka shortcut). Flatter, wetter, fewer miles. No shame, only gain.
- Snausage swayed older hiker named Just Bill to take alternate route. I think he hoped for company. He wasn't disappointed - invited Just Bill to join us for lunch.
- Lunched with leeches at lake. No swim for me, thanks. Leeches looked like tiny eels, almost six inches long! Mosquitoes got enough blood from me, leeches get none.
- Enjoyed talking with Just Bill. Animated, enthusiastic, active - hope to be that way at 70! No lack of respect for senior citizen thru-hiking gentlemen. Just wish I saw more Golden Girls!
- Campground feels like luxury hotel: cold tap water, outhouse, picnic table...and OCEANS of huckleberries. Never seen bushes so dense and heavy with berries. Can't wait to harvest breakfast!
- Still feelin' speedy. Hope not to burn out before Bend. So far no 30-miler, but there are still three days of hiking left!
The mosquitoes struck back this morning with a vengeance. It seems that hundreds were waiting for us to get up and out of our tent. I didn't deal with them for long, reached for the deet in no time. Snausage was out of camp early and we left shortly after. Its honestly hard to enjoy camp with hundreds of mosquitoes buzzing around your face.
Made great time to Windego Pass, where I met Just Bill. Hotshot showed up as well. We then had to decide weather to take the Crescent Lake alternate or not. Snausage did a really good job convincing us to take the alternate, promising less mosquitoes, easier trail, more water, and 7 less miles. We were sold. Today I really enjoyed hiking with Snausage, Just Bill, and of course Grolar Bear.
The alternate was alright. Flat for the most part, very easy miles. But the dust was horrendous. These trails are used by horses a bunch, I think they tear up the trail pretty good. But we had plenty of water and very few mosquitoes.
I was exhausted all day today. I woke up last night needing to pee, eat, and drink water. Of course I waited for over an hour before doing any of that, so lost a lot of sleep.
These days seem to fly by. I often get completely lost in thought while hiking by myself. I no longer think about the motion of walking, it mostly just happens. The miles fly by and I feel great.
We made it to a campground around 7 pm. I think we hiked nearly 29 miles today. This campground along Trapper Creek has huckleberries everywhere. Groaler Bear, Snausage, and myself are paying $15 for this campsite. I would have hesitated but I was exhausted and the huckleberries are amazing. This is the most I have ever seen, and I will certainly eat my $5 worth of berries tomorrow morning.
We have 77 miles to Bend. Plan to get there on Friday. If we do make it, we will have hiked over 325 miles in just 12 days. That will be a new record for me, and is amazing for Lauren too. Time for some much needed rest.
Monday, November 26, 2012
August 13, 2012 - Music Spinach and Let-Down BBQ
Day 58
Above Six Horses Springs
Miles: 25
Trip: 1028
I stayed up tonight, socializing with Hotshot, Snausage and Shaggy so this entry will be short. I want to get hiking by 7am tomorrow, hopefully regain the strong rhythm I had pumping today. For a full 22 miles, I felt like the trail was a competition on my home track, and the race was mine. From 8am on, my pace was around three miles an hour - very speedy for me. I hate to give technology so much credit (since a well-rested, well-fed body did all the physical work), but my mental state was all music-enhanced. Listening to my iPod transformed a stop-and-go, inconsistent pace into a steady steam engine stride. Music may just be my spinach.
We also got the treat of Thielsen Peak and Creek, both reminiscent of bygone Sierra days. The terrain after that was more vanilla, but still pretty and very smooth hiking. Even a little snow on the trail for variety!
We hit the Oregon/Washington PCT highpoint (not nearly Forrester caliber, but still a respectable 7,560 feet) and tried calling Andrew's friends d=rt and Tree. Andrew hiked with these crazy cats in 2007, and shared an apartment with d=rt for a year in Helena (yes, d=rt is his trail name. It is the physics equation for distance = rate x time). We'll be staying with them when we get to Bend and wanted to give them our ETA. Strangely, both their phones were out of service range...
We found out why in a few hours, with one of the deepest disappointments of our trip so far. In the middle of a trail intersection, a note under a rock from Tree said we'd just missed them - and a BBQ!? APparently they were on the PCT only two hours before we passed, although the BBQ part is still a mystery. BBQ chicken? Pulled pork? The speculation tortured us for the last five miles, along with the agonizing questions of why we hadn't known they'd be here!
Well, all will be revealed when we get to Bend. Hopefully, taking this alternate route tomorrow will mean Bend happens sooner than we'd planned. Then d=rt and Tree have some 'splainin to do!
"It is only in adventure that some people succeed in knowing themselves - in finding themselves"
Shaggy says:
The day was great. We hiked 25 miles and Lauren said it was the first time she felt good doing that many miles. She flew today too. I honestly had trouble keeping up with her.
We hiked the first 8 miles by ourselves. It felt good to hike at my own pace and in such an amazing place. Tielson Creek was beautiful. Crystal clear freezing cold runoff coming right off of Mt. Tielson. Its amazing how a little thing like good tasting water can really make a hikers day great.
The day seemed to fly by. We spent a lot of time dreaming of the food, beer, and company we will have in Bend in a few days. Then, around 3 pm we found a note on the trail, it read... 8/13 12:45 PM, Shaggy and Grolar Bear- sorry you missed the bbq, we will see you in Bend in a few days... Tree, d=rt, and Sage. We missed them by 2 hours! Our minds raced as we tried to figure out when the bbq was, where it was, and how far we were from a road. We were also, of course, sad to miss Tree and d=rt. Would have loved to play with Tree's dog Sage too. We were both frustrated and excited to see them soon.
Now its 9 pm, time to sleep. I am really enjoying our new friends company, Snausage and Hot Shot. Glad we have gotten to know them and hope we will see them more in the future.
Above Six Horses Springs
Miles: 25
Trip: 1028
I stayed up tonight, socializing with Hotshot, Snausage and Shaggy so this entry will be short. I want to get hiking by 7am tomorrow, hopefully regain the strong rhythm I had pumping today. For a full 22 miles, I felt like the trail was a competition on my home track, and the race was mine. From 8am on, my pace was around three miles an hour - very speedy for me. I hate to give technology so much credit (since a well-rested, well-fed body did all the physical work), but my mental state was all music-enhanced. Listening to my iPod transformed a stop-and-go, inconsistent pace into a steady steam engine stride. Music may just be my spinach.
We also got the treat of Thielsen Peak and Creek, both reminiscent of bygone Sierra days. The terrain after that was more vanilla, but still pretty and very smooth hiking. Even a little snow on the trail for variety!
We hit the Oregon/Washington PCT highpoint (not nearly Forrester caliber, but still a respectable 7,560 feet) and tried calling Andrew's friends d=rt and Tree. Andrew hiked with these crazy cats in 2007, and shared an apartment with d=rt for a year in Helena (yes, d=rt is his trail name. It is the physics equation for distance = rate x time). We'll be staying with them when we get to Bend and wanted to give them our ETA. Strangely, both their phones were out of service range...
We found out why in a few hours, with one of the deepest disappointments of our trip so far. In the middle of a trail intersection, a note under a rock from Tree said we'd just missed them - and a BBQ!? APparently they were on the PCT only two hours before we passed, although the BBQ part is still a mystery. BBQ chicken? Pulled pork? The speculation tortured us for the last five miles, along with the agonizing questions of why we hadn't known they'd be here!
Well, all will be revealed when we get to Bend. Hopefully, taking this alternate route tomorrow will mean Bend happens sooner than we'd planned. Then d=rt and Tree have some 'splainin to do!
"It is only in adventure that some people succeed in knowing themselves - in finding themselves"
Shaggy says:
The day was great. We hiked 25 miles and Lauren said it was the first time she felt good doing that many miles. She flew today too. I honestly had trouble keeping up with her.
We hiked the first 8 miles by ourselves. It felt good to hike at my own pace and in such an amazing place. Tielson Creek was beautiful. Crystal clear freezing cold runoff coming right off of Mt. Tielson. Its amazing how a little thing like good tasting water can really make a hikers day great.
The day seemed to fly by. We spent a lot of time dreaming of the food, beer, and company we will have in Bend in a few days. Then, around 3 pm we found a note on the trail, it read... 8/13 12:45 PM, Shaggy and Grolar Bear- sorry you missed the bbq, we will see you in Bend in a few days... Tree, d=rt, and Sage. We missed them by 2 hours! Our minds raced as we tried to figure out when the bbq was, where it was, and how far we were from a road. We were also, of course, sad to miss Tree and d=rt. Would have loved to play with Tree's dog Sage too. We were both frustrated and excited to see them soon.
Now its 9 pm, time to sleep. I am really enjoying our new friends company, Snausage and Hot Shot. Glad we have gotten to know them and hope we will see them more in the future.
 |
| Thielsen Peak. Some hikers take a sidetrip to climb this big daddy but we didn't have that part of the guide...next time! |
Friday, November 23, 2012
August 12, 2012 - Pricey Gadgets, Free Water
Day 57
Small campsite off Hwy 138
Just outside Crater Lake National Park
Miles: 22
Trip: 1003
Spent the morning eating Mom's homemade monkey bread (warm from the Mazama store microwave, thank you technology) and escaping from/enjoying Crater Lake's unique brand of town vortex. The four-mile not-graded-for-stock trail up to Rim Village was an invigorating wake-up hike, but then we were trapped by the Rim's fully stocked store (with similar products as Mazama, all priced 50% higher) for a full hour.
I made a decidedly impulse buy of a $40 solar charger to fuel my iPod, shipped to me from home with love and a dead battery. I really believe having fresh music (rather than the same eight songs I've had cycling in my head for 1000 miles) will amp me up to a new level of hiking. Just the 30 minutes of bluegrass and showtunes I was able to wring out of the iPod today, helped me power up the hills. If this solar charger works, it could be my smartest purchase yet. If not...a very expensive pack ornament.
Getting a huge water yogi (a yogi is a favor or freebie given by a non-hiker, usually without the hiker making an out-right request) from Hotshot's friend was welcome. He drove something like 4 hours to drop off six 5-gallon jugs of water here at Hwy 138, and hang out with Hotshot. That's friendship - and great luck for us! It does feel slightly like cheating, but then I think: Who wrote down rules? We're all playing our own game out here.
"The unexpected and incredible belong in the world. Only then is life whole." - Carl Jung
Shaggy says:
Crater Lake was actually probably one of my favorite National Parks yet. I suppose I was not expecting much, a big over-hyped lake. But I found much more. We walked along the rim for 7 miles. It was very peaceful and relaxing. Also the tourist watching was endless.
We spent the morning leisurely, ate a big breakfast at the gift shop. Started hiking at 9. Got to Rim Village at 11. Left at one in the afternoon. 6 days of food and 7 liters of water. We are in a large, 26 mile waterless stretch. Luckily a young lady named Hot Shot had a friend who is bringing us water.
We are at highway 138 with Hot Shot and Snausage. Good times. I love this trail.
Small campsite off Hwy 138
Just outside Crater Lake National Park
Miles: 22
Trip: 1003
Spent the morning eating Mom's homemade monkey bread (warm from the Mazama store microwave, thank you technology) and escaping from/enjoying Crater Lake's unique brand of town vortex. The four-mile not-graded-for-stock trail up to Rim Village was an invigorating wake-up hike, but then we were trapped by the Rim's fully stocked store (with similar products as Mazama, all priced 50% higher) for a full hour.
I made a decidedly impulse buy of a $40 solar charger to fuel my iPod, shipped to me from home with love and a dead battery. I really believe having fresh music (rather than the same eight songs I've had cycling in my head for 1000 miles) will amp me up to a new level of hiking. Just the 30 minutes of bluegrass and showtunes I was able to wring out of the iPod today, helped me power up the hills. If this solar charger works, it could be my smartest purchase yet. If not...a very expensive pack ornament.
Getting a huge water yogi (a yogi is a favor or freebie given by a non-hiker, usually without the hiker making an out-right request) from Hotshot's friend was welcome. He drove something like 4 hours to drop off six 5-gallon jugs of water here at Hwy 138, and hang out with Hotshot. That's friendship - and great luck for us! It does feel slightly like cheating, but then I think: Who wrote down rules? We're all playing our own game out here.
"The unexpected and incredible belong in the world. Only then is life whole." - Carl Jung
Shaggy says:
Crater Lake was actually probably one of my favorite National Parks yet. I suppose I was not expecting much, a big over-hyped lake. But I found much more. We walked along the rim for 7 miles. It was very peaceful and relaxing. Also the tourist watching was endless.
We spent the morning leisurely, ate a big breakfast at the gift shop. Started hiking at 9. Got to Rim Village at 11. Left at one in the afternoon. 6 days of food and 7 liters of water. We are in a large, 26 mile waterless stretch. Luckily a young lady named Hot Shot had a friend who is bringing us water.
We are at highway 138 with Hot Shot and Snausage. Good times. I love this trail.
 |
| Rim of Crater Lake. |
 |
| Wizard Island - a volcano within a volcano! |
 |
| Another rim shot (buh-dum-bum) |
 |
| This snow was beautiful and tantalizing, with how dry the trail was. |
August 11, 2012 - What's in a Trail Name
Day 56
Mazama Village Campground
Crater Lake National Park
Miles: 23
Trip: 981
A very tiring and busy day; even the flat 23 miles seemed to drag on forever. And when I say flat, I mean football field flat - I can see the trail, level, for at least 100 yards. The forest is very pretty though, thick with fir and hemlock and pine, and carpeted with perfumed, silvery lupine. Even with all the lush scenery, by the last five miles I was ready to be out of the woods and in a restaurant eating a giant cheeseburger. Which I did, along with lots of other junk food from the Mazama Village store.
We also picked up our packages - tons more food there, including delicious birthday treats from home (Mom, your monkey bread is even better than Schatz) and almost enough food to get us all the way to Bend. I'm getting more excited about stretching out our leg to Bend - walking 160 miles without stopping for resupply. It could even force me to carry a more reasonable amount of food. If I feel under-supplied, that means I probably have just enough.
We've met so many hikers in the last two days, maybe more than we've met since Kennedy Meadows! Hotshot and Snausage (a forest fire-fighter and salami-making chef, respectively) seem like fun, laid-back people. The rest of the crew in Mazama are nice too, but if I don't see them again there's no way I'll remember that many names. Since trail names usually describe some quirk of a hiker's personality - although this doesn't mean trail names are unique - they are easier to remember than a parade of Johns, Staceys and Laurens. Still, this Grolar Bear is getting close to overload. Whatever our names, trail or birth, sitting around a campfire laughing with a bunch of goofy, sarcastic hikers makes me hope that some of them end up in our campsite more often.
(No pictures today...sorry)
Shaggy says:
The terrain today proved to be easy and we had over 23 miles in by 4 pm. We were motivated to get to the park and eat at the all you can eat pizza buffet. We walked with several other hikers today. In Mazama Village there are at least 13 hikers. Kind of a party on the PCT.
We ate, we drank, we resupplied our 6-7 days of food. Tomorrow we will hike on to Bend. I am exhausted!
Mazama Village Campground
Crater Lake National Park
Miles: 23
Trip: 981
A very tiring and busy day; even the flat 23 miles seemed to drag on forever. And when I say flat, I mean football field flat - I can see the trail, level, for at least 100 yards. The forest is very pretty though, thick with fir and hemlock and pine, and carpeted with perfumed, silvery lupine. Even with all the lush scenery, by the last five miles I was ready to be out of the woods and in a restaurant eating a giant cheeseburger. Which I did, along with lots of other junk food from the Mazama Village store.
We also picked up our packages - tons more food there, including delicious birthday treats from home (Mom, your monkey bread is even better than Schatz) and almost enough food to get us all the way to Bend. I'm getting more excited about stretching out our leg to Bend - walking 160 miles without stopping for resupply. It could even force me to carry a more reasonable amount of food. If I feel under-supplied, that means I probably have just enough.
We've met so many hikers in the last two days, maybe more than we've met since Kennedy Meadows! Hotshot and Snausage (a forest fire-fighter and salami-making chef, respectively) seem like fun, laid-back people. The rest of the crew in Mazama are nice too, but if I don't see them again there's no way I'll remember that many names. Since trail names usually describe some quirk of a hiker's personality - although this doesn't mean trail names are unique - they are easier to remember than a parade of Johns, Staceys and Laurens. Still, this Grolar Bear is getting close to overload. Whatever our names, trail or birth, sitting around a campfire laughing with a bunch of goofy, sarcastic hikers makes me hope that some of them end up in our campsite more often.
(No pictures today...sorry)
Shaggy says:
The terrain today proved to be easy and we had over 23 miles in by 4 pm. We were motivated to get to the park and eat at the all you can eat pizza buffet. We walked with several other hikers today. In Mazama Village there are at least 13 hikers. Kind of a party on the PCT.
We ate, we drank, we resupplied our 6-7 days of food. Tomorrow we will hike on to Bend. I am exhausted!
August 10, 2012 - Pancakes, Beer and other Relief
Day 55
Near Seven Lakes Basin
Sky Lakes Wilderness
Elev: 6900 ft
Miles: 26
Trip: 958
Today was full of relief. My ankle felt a lot better; not 100% but not as painful as yesterday. Another relief was the cold, pure springs we drank from, such a welcome change from the chlorine tablet-treated creek water and rusty-tasting well water we've been drinking (I know - complain, complain, complain. The people we met were a relief as well, after leaving behind so many hikers by jumping up to Seiad Valley. Carpenter and Creeper, a couple we met way back in Sierra City, camped near us last night and caught us later on the trail.
Shaggy was relieved to hear that Carpenter (along with many others) hadn't conquered the Pancake Challenge in Seiad Valley. The diner there challenges hikers (or anyone equally dumb and hungry) to eat five one-pound pancakes in one sitting. Champions receive their gluttonous breakfast free and get their picture on the diner's Wall of Fame. Shaggy had planned to challenge his stomach and win, until our giardia episode challenged our entire digestive system - and we lost. So, deprived of the chance to try, he feared running into someone who would brag about how easy the Pancake Challenge was. Luckily, we found only the defeated. Carpenter (who finished 2 pancakes) told us the pancakes weighed well over a pound each, and our new friend Hotshot said that even with several pancake-purging bathroom visits (allowable under the Challenge rules) she could only finish about 3 pancakes. I say something smells like a sweet scam...
The relief continues: the north side of this ridge reminded me of the Sierras, with bright, scrappy wildflowers and rock-strewn meadows. The spring-fed creek next to camp is something Sierra-like too. Then there's the best relief of all: finally being done with our Flagyl meds and getting to drink the birthday beers that Andrew has been carrying in his pack for 9 days. That's an extra 48 ounces for 140 miles - that's love.
"If you wait for the perfect moment when it is all safe and assured, the moment may never arrive. Mountains will never be climbed, races won, nor lasting happiness achieved."
Shaggy says:
Today was a lot of fun. It always goes well with a good night sleep. Last night I slept so well. We were close to a highway, but very close to aa raging creek. The white noise produced was perfect for sleeping.
We saw Creeper and Carpenter today, along with Hotshot and Snausage. It was great meeting some new people along the journey today.
The terrain was extremely mellow. It felt like a walk in the park. Very pretty though. Refreshing to be in a wilderness area again. Yesterday we crossed about 30 roads, some dirt, some paved. Today we crossed zero. Its very refreshing to find places without roads, cars, people, shopping malls.
We really enjoyed seeing Devil's mountain today, and walking the ridge around it. It was so beautiful as the sun was setting. We found snow on the north side of the ridge which was an excellent combination for our beers we carried for so very long. It was like another birthday celebration for Lauren. We ended up hiking 26 miles today, not bad.
We have 21 miles to Crater Lake tomorrow. I am very excited to see another park I have never seen before. Should be fun.
Near Seven Lakes Basin
Sky Lakes Wilderness
Elev: 6900 ft
Miles: 26
Trip: 958
Today was full of relief. My ankle felt a lot better; not 100% but not as painful as yesterday. Another relief was the cold, pure springs we drank from, such a welcome change from the chlorine tablet-treated creek water and rusty-tasting well water we've been drinking (I know - complain, complain, complain. The people we met were a relief as well, after leaving behind so many hikers by jumping up to Seiad Valley. Carpenter and Creeper, a couple we met way back in Sierra City, camped near us last night and caught us later on the trail.
Shaggy was relieved to hear that Carpenter (along with many others) hadn't conquered the Pancake Challenge in Seiad Valley. The diner there challenges hikers (or anyone equally dumb and hungry) to eat five one-pound pancakes in one sitting. Champions receive their gluttonous breakfast free and get their picture on the diner's Wall of Fame. Shaggy had planned to challenge his stomach and win, until our giardia episode challenged our entire digestive system - and we lost. So, deprived of the chance to try, he feared running into someone who would brag about how easy the Pancake Challenge was. Luckily, we found only the defeated. Carpenter (who finished 2 pancakes) told us the pancakes weighed well over a pound each, and our new friend Hotshot said that even with several pancake-purging bathroom visits (allowable under the Challenge rules) she could only finish about 3 pancakes. I say something smells like a sweet scam...
The relief continues: the north side of this ridge reminded me of the Sierras, with bright, scrappy wildflowers and rock-strewn meadows. The spring-fed creek next to camp is something Sierra-like too. Then there's the best relief of all: finally being done with our Flagyl meds and getting to drink the birthday beers that Andrew has been carrying in his pack for 9 days. That's an extra 48 ounces for 140 miles - that's love.
"If you wait for the perfect moment when it is all safe and assured, the moment may never arrive. Mountains will never be climbed, races won, nor lasting happiness achieved."
Shaggy says:
Today was a lot of fun. It always goes well with a good night sleep. Last night I slept so well. We were close to a highway, but very close to aa raging creek. The white noise produced was perfect for sleeping.
We saw Creeper and Carpenter today, along with Hotshot and Snausage. It was great meeting some new people along the journey today.
The terrain was extremely mellow. It felt like a walk in the park. Very pretty though. Refreshing to be in a wilderness area again. Yesterday we crossed about 30 roads, some dirt, some paved. Today we crossed zero. Its very refreshing to find places without roads, cars, people, shopping malls.
We really enjoyed seeing Devil's mountain today, and walking the ridge around it. It was so beautiful as the sun was setting. We found snow on the north side of the ridge which was an excellent combination for our beers we carried for so very long. It was like another birthday celebration for Lauren. We ended up hiking 26 miles today, not bad.
We have 21 miles to Crater Lake tomorrow. I am very excited to see another park I have never seen before. Should be fun.
 |
| We're getting closer! (Remember, Andrew and I didn't start in Mexico...but we're about at our halfway point!) |
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| This is very nice trail through lava. A not very nice trail through lava is...well, I didn't feel like taking pictures of those. |
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| I was smitten with these flowers. |
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| Straight out of a Dr. Seuss book! |
Thursday, November 22, 2012
August 9, 2012 - A Peek at the Good Life
Day 54
Just off Hwy 140, near Fish Lake Resort
Elev: 5200
Miles: 27
Trip: 932
A morning in the glamorous life of a Thru-Hiker...
5:45 am - Wake up under dawn sky. Sit up and look around blearily for 5-7 minutes. Still groggy from being jolted from sleep four hours earlier by giant ant chomping on my shoulder. Sleeping without tent is overrated.
5:55 am - Dress and pack as much as possible without emerging completely from sleeping bag. Comment to hiking partner on yet another amazing sunrise, inquire after quality of his sleep and offer thoughts on upcoming terrain. Pass copious and loud gas - no longer embarrassing, merely an amusing and smelly part of life. Sleeping without a tent does have some advantages.
6:15 am - Heave pack off of ground cloth, pack sleeping bag and evaluate possible bathroom sites. After making sure to choose a tree/bush far from the trail (no matter how early it is - dawn hikers can ruin a relaxing morning pee), get prepped for breakfast.
6:30 am - Pour into pot one trail baggie of granola, nuts and protein powder. Add instant coffee and enough water to moisten. Eat with relish (unless protein powder is of the strawberry variety - then eat with resignation). Rinse pot and drink rinse water. Brush teeth - swallow.
6:50 am - Remove excess layers of clothing, check that pockets contain day's supply of candy, maps and knife. Pack remaining gear and hoist pack on back, wondering how much of said gear I could live without for the sake of a lighter pack.
7:00 am - Hike on, adjusting pack straps for at least 45 minutes before settling into the hiking groove.
Shaggy says:
I don't think sleeping under the stars is for us. We tried again last night, but between the mosquitoes and ants, we did not sleep much. I was exhausted when it was time to get up, Lauren said the same.
The miles went by slowly and fast at the same time. We hiked over 27 miles somehow. Only saw 5 other hikers today.
My back was killing me at the end of the day, but Lauren gave me a back rub, how lucky am I?
I have carried 4 beers that I bought for Lauren's birthday, over 120 miles now. We have been taking medicine for the stomach bug though, and can't drink alcohol until the pills are gone. Tomorrow we will celebrate with a beer at the end of the day. We are both excited to see Crater Lake.
Wow, I am completely exhausted.
Just off Hwy 140, near Fish Lake Resort
Elev: 5200
Miles: 27
Trip: 932
A morning in the glamorous life of a Thru-Hiker...
5:45 am - Wake up under dawn sky. Sit up and look around blearily for 5-7 minutes. Still groggy from being jolted from sleep four hours earlier by giant ant chomping on my shoulder. Sleeping without tent is overrated.
5:55 am - Dress and pack as much as possible without emerging completely from sleeping bag. Comment to hiking partner on yet another amazing sunrise, inquire after quality of his sleep and offer thoughts on upcoming terrain. Pass copious and loud gas - no longer embarrassing, merely an amusing and smelly part of life. Sleeping without a tent does have some advantages.
6:15 am - Heave pack off of ground cloth, pack sleeping bag and evaluate possible bathroom sites. After making sure to choose a tree/bush far from the trail (no matter how early it is - dawn hikers can ruin a relaxing morning pee), get prepped for breakfast.
6:30 am - Pour into pot one trail baggie of granola, nuts and protein powder. Add instant coffee and enough water to moisten. Eat with relish (unless protein powder is of the strawberry variety - then eat with resignation). Rinse pot and drink rinse water. Brush teeth - swallow.
6:50 am - Remove excess layers of clothing, check that pockets contain day's supply of candy, maps and knife. Pack remaining gear and hoist pack on back, wondering how much of said gear I could live without for the sake of a lighter pack.
7:00 am - Hike on, adjusting pack straps for at least 45 minutes before settling into the hiking groove.
Shaggy says:
I don't think sleeping under the stars is for us. We tried again last night, but between the mosquitoes and ants, we did not sleep much. I was exhausted when it was time to get up, Lauren said the same.
The miles went by slowly and fast at the same time. We hiked over 27 miles somehow. Only saw 5 other hikers today.
My back was killing me at the end of the day, but Lauren gave me a back rub, how lucky am I?
I have carried 4 beers that I bought for Lauren's birthday, over 120 miles now. We have been taking medicine for the stomach bug though, and can't drink alcohol until the pills are gone. Tomorrow we will celebrate with a beer at the end of the day. We are both excited to see Crater Lake.
Wow, I am completely exhausted.
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