Day 145: Trippy McTripface
Date: Sun 9/9
PCT Start Mile: 2598.1
PCT End Mile: 2622.0
PCT Mileage for Day: 23.9
Alternate Mileage for Day: 6.2
Total Mileage for Day: 30.1
Total PCT Mileage: NA*
The Highlights: Northern Cascades, slipping and tripping, Hart’s Pass, and Fire Alternate #3
Packing up and getting out of the tent this morning, it was cold, but the view was spectacular. I decided to take a picture as soon as I had brushed my teeth. This turned out to be a mistake and within a minute, fog had rolled in and completely obscured the beautiful mountain view. I should know by now, if you see a good shot, take it right away, you never know how long the scene will last. Seared only in the memory.
I swear there were beautiful mountains here a minute ago.
Hiking out it was really cold. I had on my down puffy, rain coat, and rain pants for warmth, all my hoods pulled up, buff over the lower part of my face and two sets of gloves. It took nearly an hour for my fingers to warm up.
Only a couple miles into the hike, we hit our last rock mile marker. 2600 miles! 50ish to go (actually a few more with the alternate route).
The trail hugged the mountainside for several miles, offering constant views of the slowly unfolding sea of craggy mountains surrounding us, appearing and vanishing in a constantly shifting veil of fog, before it eventually descended into the forest.
Most of the morning remained in the forest, with a number of small stream crossings, mostly involving a short hop or some rock jumping. At one particular steam we came to, the best/driest way across looked like balancing on a slick log where a small steam of water cascaded over to the rocks below. I moved very slowly across the log, not known for my balance or grace when hiking – or doing any other activity for that matter. Just toward the end of the log, a slow foot placement, and swooooooooosh, my feet flew out from under me, legs landing on the rocks below, belly over the log, and face slamming into the stream above the log. Considering that my head could have hit the log or a large rock right next to it, having my face splash into the water was probably the best possible option. The side of my foot had also jammed into the side of a sharp rock. As luck would have it, the fall gave me the perfect view of some large rocks I could have hopped across the stream on instead. I scrambled to get up quickly, as I was getting very wet, basically laying in the stream. Once Shawn had assessed that I was okay, the jokes could come. “Well, at least you were wearing your rain gear”, (insert laughs). “I would have really liked to have the video rolling for that one.” His final sentiment about the situation: “Let’s hurry up and get finished before you kill yourself”. No kidding.
Later in the day I would trip on a rock again, this time on a thin ledge along the mountainside, falling again to the ground while Shawn grabbed the back of my pack, lest I tumble over the mountainside. “I don’t think you’re cut out for hiking”. Me either. Shawn also thinks my trail name should have been Trippy McTripface. Extra cool points for anyone that knows this reference. 😆
Late morning, we started a five and a half mile climb through the mountains. It was actually a fairly gradual climb with lots of long switchbacks. Thanks, Washington! At the top, Shawn laid out our tent to dry, soaked in condensation from last night. I also laid out my sleeping bag. Man, I’m going to miss these lunch views.
Not long after lunch, just as Shawn was ducking into the woods to… send a fax, the skies opened up and it began raining. It had been sprinkling off and on, but now it rained a little harder. I had kept hiking while Shawn took care of his business, knowing he would catch up, but laughed a little at the thought that the rain would come just as he pulled his pants down to take a crap. LOLz. Life in the woods. I stopped quick to put the giant green shower cap on my pack.
The trail undulated along the mountainside before descending to Hart’s Pass, where we would take the third and final fire alternate of the trail. This alternate was to avoid the Holman Fire, which is actually burning on part of the PCT itself. Probably a good idea to take a detour.
We signed the trail register at the Hart’s Pass Guard Station, noticing the names of some other hikers we knew who had come through earlier in the day. It was so exciting to see everyone coming through, all so close to the finish! The detour started up a dirt road before climbing up a steep “shortcut” trail to where the alternate trails began.
Once up the shortcut portion, the trail descended into the Pasayten Wilderness. For a few brief miles, we had some beautiful evening views as we descended into a valley, before finally entering the forest.
We hiked a little over five miles through the alternate trails before finding a tentsite for the night. It had started raining not not too far back and now we hurried to set up the tent and get inside.
While we’d originally thought we’d finish Tuesday, since we’d hiked just over thirty miles today and it was forecast to continue raining all week, we decided it would make sense to finish the trail … tomorrow! The border is only 27 miles away, with another 8 miles to hike into Canada to reach Manning Park, the first town north of the border. And, it sounded far more appealing to hike a long day to finish than to stay out in the cold rain, setting up a tent that was already wet from last night.
Last trail dinner – mac n’ cheese with bacon.
So… this means… it’s PCT-Finish Eve!! I made my last trail mac n’ cheese in the tent vestibule and ate it by headlamp, listening to the rain drip on the tent. This wasn’t exactly how I’d envisioned our last night on the PCT. I’d hoped it’d end with a calm warm night at an epic tent site, overlooking the setting sun. But, you get what you get. And, in this phenomenal experience we’ve had many amazing tent sites, and many amazing sunsets. I can’t complain. The rain was a sign that it was time to boogie, to end our adventure. With rain forecast all week, Washington’s wet weather has arrived. It’s time to get to the border!
See you tomorrow, Canada! 🇨🇦
