Epilogue:
feet fall apart after it knows it can rest
transition back to “to do” list and keys
weird about four walls
thanks for the simple things like tap water and kleenex and getting re-aquainted with driving and using 3 pieces of cutlery
Phil “Nowhere Man” Hough
Deer grazing, snorting and stomping around all night near the tent. Everyone in camp was up early, full of excitement for the coming finish.
A cool frosty morning, which got even cooler as we descended into the valley just before the border. The 7 miles to the border seemed to go by very quickly, in anticipation of the end. Memories and moments from the last five months come flooding back / forward..
Colder at the border, had to don the fleece. We celebrated with Halftrack and Richard. Richard’s cigars and our Canadian Whiskey, dad arrived.
Ten years ago on this day I finished my first PCT hike, …
These parts of the north Cascades remind me of the high Sierras. Awesome peaks and deep valleys, heavily glaciated and wild. A rugged beauty. But in the Sierras the trail follows river valleys up to high passes, where here in the cascades the trail follows ridges high above the river valleys and often drops into passes. The long ridge walks offer great views, even if the mountains are a little more distant.
We needed to do an 18 mile day to set up for a 15 mile walk into Manning tomorrow, with few good camping options just shorter
lunch in sunshine
richard caught up
camp at hopkins lake, glacial bowl
The larch …
Heavy dew on the tent and the ground. And heavy thoughts filled the head through much of a restless night. As I was nodding off last night the realization that we only have three days and two night left to the trip set in. And a feeling that the end was coming on us too fast crept into my sleep. Especially with the nice weather it seems like it is ending too soon. A feeling that we are quite ready to finish is setting in. Without the rain the days are more carefree and that is a feeling we want to hold onto.
A …
Up early and it was cold as we got ready in the shady side of the pass. The morning light was brilliant on the peaks. A clear but cool day spoke of Indian summer, a glorious time in the Cascades. We finally had the scenery we have been expecting. Tall, jagged peaks of granite with snow pack and glaciers. Rugged and remote mountains.
Mostly a traverse to the next 2 passes and then we dropped into the Methow River valley. Work crew. Another owl. Fall colors. Climbed up the bushy creek side basin to Glacier pass. Camp. 16.3 miles Fire. Dad …