Tuesday, July 17th: Todays miles = 19. Total PCT miles = 1,007.
Today was a strong day for me. I think it was the poptart (450 calories) that Wolverine gave me that did it! The first 10 miles of the day flew by and I actually had to stop myself from hiking on to take a break for lunch. Just two miles after my lunch spot (by a beautiful mountain lake) was the 1,000 mile mark of the PCT. Typo and Wolverine were there eating lunch when I got there and we all had a little celebration. I remember very vividly the day I crossed mile 1,000 on the AT last year. I was hiking with Hollywood. We spent the night at the Blackburn Center eating spaghetti and brownies. It was the day I met Baboon! It feels a little strange to now be out here on the PCT experiencing 1,000 miles. Some days you don't feel like your getting anywhere and then all of the sudden your 1,000 miles in. Before I know it I'll be done with California, Oregon, Washington, and the whole trail. It's a reminder to truly live for each day out here. Sooner than I can imagine I will be off the trail and wishing I was back out here only 1,000 miles in.
During dinner and camp fire I learned that Typo does not know what a s'more is! In New Zealand they apparently roast marshmallows over the fire but they do not make s'mores. I later found out it was because he also didn't know what a graham cracker was! So, I told him we would remedy this and while in Bridgeport tomorrow pick up the makings for s'mores. Tomorrow night is going to be a s'mores party with hungry thru hikers. How many s'mores can a hungry thru hiker eat? Updates will be reported following the s'mores party...
Tomorrow is Bridgeport. Its a very special day because after tomorrow and Sonora Pass I no longer am required to lug around a bear canister! I am more excited about ditching this bulky, heavy, and annoying piece of plastic than I am about going into town for any other reason. Food options are not too great in Bridgeport. Hotels are expensive there so I won't be staying in one. The grocery store is suppose to be small and inadequate. Although, there is a laundromat. I'm not sure doing my laundry is essential when I'm most likely not going to be able to shower there. This stretch will be from Mammoth to Tahoe without a shower. Thats 200 miles without being able to properly bath myself. The shower in Tahoe just may be the second best shower of my life. Number one goes to the shower in Millinocket Maine after having come down from Katahdin hours prior with hypothermia! That was a beautiful shower.
I'm camped with Baboon, Typo, and Wolverine again...by water...11 miles from the road to Bridgeport. Only two mountains lay between me and town.
Shiiieett ... another thousand miles and you'll be in Eugene territory. If you're at Willamette Pass, McKenzie Pass or Santiam Pass before September 3 or after September 20, I'll be here and hopefully able to run some trail magic/bring you and other hikers down into the valley. Those passes are all about equidistant, driving-wise, from Eugene. I'm out of town between those dates, though.
ReplyDeleteProps on keeping your blog updated so consistently. I've really enjoyed reading the whole thing. Hopefully you like Bridgeport--I barely remember it, but I know I spent the 4th of July there the summer after 11th grade and they had a serious fireworks show.
- Scrub