Off the Trail

Here's the short version: I'm off the trail for this year.

Here's the longer version. While I was still enjoying myself, I found it harder and harder to make the miles I used to make, and need to make to stay on schedule. I was simply out of gas. Previously, I would be on the trail by 6 or 6:30, and by 10 I would have made 9 or 10 miles. Now I found I was making 5 miles in that time, and I wasn't enjoying myself. This happened day after day after day - simply out of gas.

Central Oregon had been a great break from the trail. I spent two days (two rainy days!) with Dory, and then a third rainy day with an old climbing pal. He dropped me off on the trail, I walked a day and a half past the Three Sisters (10,000' + volcanic peaks where I used to climb and explore) amongst absolutely beautiful scenery, and was picked up by another old friend who lives in the town of Sisters. Together he and I slack packed (hiked without packs) from McKenzie Pass to Santiam Pass, with both evenings spent at his very comfortable house. I got plenty of rest in Central Oregon.

After I started hiking North from Santiam Pass I had a hard time keeping going. Conditions were fine, the trail was nice, but I had no energy for hiking. By the time I got beyond Jefferson Park, I was thinking about bailing out. At Highway 26 I managed to sweet talk my way into a ride into Portland.

I'm not sure what or why this happened. I have lost more than 30 pounds, and while I was in great physical shape I'm pretty sure I am not in good nutritional shape. Maybe nutrition played a bigger role for me than I had expected.

Over the course of 3 months I had walked just over 1400 miles. Due to snow I skipped ( and want to return and complete) the high Sierras. I skipped the 220 miles from Old Station to Etna (Hat Creek Rim and the area around Shasta) when I left to attend a wedding. I hiked most of Oregon, only missing the final 60+ miles to Bridge of the Gods. And of course, I've missed all of Washington.

I like the idea of becoming a section hiker, and am looking forward to spending 3 or 4 weeks in the coming few  years doing these missing sections. In a way, it's like being able to continue my relationship with the trail and the trail community a bit longer.

Three Finger Jack from the south

wildflower and rotting tree

Camp in Jefferson Park

Mt Jefferson from above Jeff Park

Wildflower

Mt Hood

Hot - and cold, July 10

The last section I completed, with Kit, was hot, and as I resumed hiking solo it remained hot. As in 85-100 deg F. That kind of heat really sapped my energy, and it wasn't easier with big miles I needed to clock. 

I made plans to meet dad at Willamette Pass on July 8, not figuring until later that this entailed 183 miles in 8 days. So I had to make 3 days with 27+ miles per day. This really sapped my energy and I found myself wondering why I was killing myself out here.  After Crater Lake I slowed down to 20 mpd, and this was better, but it's been a rough patch of trail for Papa Razi!

In crater lake I saw two girls I remembered  from earlier. They didn't recognize me until I said my trail name. 'You know Papa Razi?' They asked. 'I AM Papa Razi' I responded, and they hadn't recognized me at all. 

On July 10 I made the 20 miles into Elk Lake in 8 hours in pouring rain. Not pleasant. I'm recuperating in bend for a few days with her and thinking "why don't I just go home now?" But I have more of Oregon I need to see so I'll keep soldiering on. 

Trail south of McLoughlan

My Theilson

Rosary lakes

My camp 

Coffee in Bend during rain storm

Oregon border

June 28

Yesterday was another killer hot day, starting with a 3000' climb up the ridge. The view made up for the sweat, however, and there were tons of wild flowers along the trail.

We stopped at 17 miles where we ran into some botanists who gave us a few beers and some cherries.

Today started a bit rainy which kept the temperatures much more moderate. I maybe coming down with a cold, which is taking all my energy. After lunch I felt better and we enjoyed more wild flowers.  We also saw a yearling bear, with a beautiful golden coat. Tomorrow is the Oregon border!

Hot Hot Hot!

June 27 

The southern sections of the PCT are supposed to be hot - the Anzo Borrega desert, the Mojave - but I never anticipated that Northern California would be hot. 

As we hiked down into Seiad the temperature rose to 103 f. and it was brutal. Both Kit and I felt our energy drain away. Fortunately we had to take off boots to cross the river several times so we were able to cool off. At every small stream we stopped to splash water on our faces and drench our shirts. Even so, it was difficult. 

We reached Grider campground after 18 trail miles and swam in a pool in the river. The next 6 miles were a road walk with no traffic; we walked 3 miles before flagging down the first passing car. 

There were 5 other hikers at the RV Park where we camped.

Back on the Trail

The wedding was a most satisfactory affair, but it's time to get back on the trail. Monday we had a wonderful diner breakfast and by 2 pm Kit and I were on a plane headed for Sacramento. Tuesday we boarded a Greyhound bus for what was supposed to be a 6 hour ride to Weed. Unfortunately for us we were stuck in Redding for 3 hours without a driver! Eventually we made it to Weed where Emory, a local trail angel, picked us up and drove us to the trailhead.

We walked two miles and camped on a beautiful ridge. We are back in the mountains!

Wednesday morning we started hiking, stopping often to admire the view and the wild flowers. This day was pretty much always at around 6300 feet with spectacular views.

By 3:30 we were at mile 1622, a great spot with nice campsites and plenty of running water. We've walked 14 miles and the next spot with water is another 8 miles. Since it's our first day out we are taking it easy and spending the night here.

Wedding Break

It's been a while since I've posted. Our oldest son married a wonderful woman last Saturday and we had a great time. 

But now it's time to get back on the trail, and I'm really excited that our younger son Kit is joining me. We'll be getting on the trail at Etna and he's hiking as far as Ashland. It's possible this may be the last time I am in better shape than my kids!

Taking a break in Denver

Hiking the PCT has gone well, but it's time to focus on our eldest son's upcoming wedding. I reached Old Station, California (PCT mile 1377) and hitched into Redding, California, where I took an Amtrak train north to Oregon to visit my father and my brother. On Thursday June 11 I flew to Denver where I was happily reunited with Dory and both sons - the family is reunited!

I've enjoyed hiking this latest section, although there have been quite a few blow-downs which slowed me down considerably. One highlight was reaching Mt Lassen and the Drakesbad Guest Ranch. It was the last night before they opened for the season. I arrived as they were serving dinner in a final dress rehearsal. I was given a glass of wine and a wedge salad, followed by prime rib and caramel cake for desert, all gratis! The manager said he thinks their guests like being inspired by PCT hikers. We followed this by a hot shower and a swim in the thermally heated pool.

A beautiful section of trail.

a random note, very sweet

A meadow along the trail

South of Mt Lassen

Ukelele playing along the trail

Passing through a burned section from a previous forest fire.

Looking back on Mt Lassen