Episode 33: Day 59-61

Day 59:

I was right by a water source, had an amazing view, and a good book. Just the right ingredients for a perfect rest day.

The reading material, courtesy of a hiker box, was intense. John Howard Griffin, a white journalist who, through medication, darkened his skin to live as a black man for seven weeks in segregated Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama. His book, Black Like Me is the journal of his experience. Highly recommended. 

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Day 60:

My thermometer said it was 31 degrees this morning. Glad I put my water filter inside the sleeping bag last night. If there is any water left in the filter and it freezes, it can break.

As I neared the pass, two hikers, several switchbacks ahead of me yell back to warn me of some upcoming ice on the ridge. I recognized the accents, but could it be? Yes it was! Phil and Gosia! The couple I camped with my first night in trail, who I haven’t seen since mile 62 (and now we are well over 700). So glad to see them!

We decided to descend the pass in style, by glissanding (which is just a fancy term for sliding down the snow on your bottom). IT WAS EPIC. It was probably only a 15 second slide but it was exhilarating (and much faster than hiking). 

My food situation was starting to seriously worry me. I used Phil’s satellite phone to text my mom to see if my next box would be at the Muir Trail Ranch of Vermillion Vallet Resort, so that I could ration appropriately. She had received Sunday’s email too late, the box had already been sent to MTR. Even though I was slightly bummed knowing that I would have to pay $75 to pick it up, I was glad I wouldn’t have to stretch my food as far. 

I split up with Phil and Gosia, they took a side trail to Bishop and I kept hiking. As the sun was setting I summited Glenn Pass. A two pass day! 

Exhausted, I set up camp at the bottom, on the flattest boulder I could find.

(Fun fact:  Earlier in the day, I met two JMT hikers who through normal conversation ended up lecturing me on the historical significance of Beyoncé’s newest album, specifically to the civil rights movement. I gifted them Black Like Me. They were VERY impressed.)

16 miles today. 

Highest point on the PCT:

Phil and Gosia!!!:

The Mountains:

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Day 61:

“In the morning, when you feel unwilling to rise let this thought be present. I am rising to do the work of a human being. Why then am I dissatisfied, if I’m going to do the things for which I do exist and for which I was brought into the world. Or have been made for this? To lie in bed clothes and keep myself warm?”

That’s the motivational quote of the day, and of every cold day, courtesy of Marcus Aurelius. 

Met up with Ben again today. We had lunch together by an awesome river.

Lots of climbing to end the day. I EARNED Pinchot Pass.

Setup camp at 9pm after a 16 mile day.

Did I mention I reached 800 miles today?!

Resting at a lake:

800 Miles:

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No video, as my phone was nearly out of available memory.