Episode 62: Day 142-144

Day 142:

Todays itinerary: Wake up, pack up, shower, and get back to trail.

Checked out of my room at 11am, and walked to REI to buy some fuel for my stove and try for a hitch (the logic/hope/wish is that people shopping at REI might be driving to trail).

After nearly an hour of waiting, I looked online and found a company called X Cabs, a rugged cab company willing to go off road to pick you up/drop you off. Sounds good to me!

Rick picked me up and we immediately hit it off. He gets its.

He dropped me off and Elk Lake Resort and gave me his personal cell number in case I needed anything.

And so I walked. Along the way I met some birdwatchers and horseback riders who were also enjoying the day.

I watched the beautiful sunset as I hiked my final miles, and set up my tent in a meadow.

12 miles today.

My path:

Loving this day:

And this sunset:

—

Day 143:

Got started at 8am. Early on met a hiker named Eric who is doing the Oregon Section of the PCT (good choice!). We hiked together for a while, and both stopped for a break when we found cell phone service.

Met some SOBO flip floppers and chatted with them about what north of me. Im excited! (for everything but the cold and rain).

Stopped for an early dinner at 5:30pm, and filled up water since the next 12 miles are dry – and kept hiking.

At some point the trail terrain changed. At first it was gradual and then it seriously changed. Im pretty much hiking exclusively on lava rocks now – they are hard, they are sharp, and they roll. WHO BUILT THIS TRAIL?!

Finally found a minimally rocky spot to spend the night.

20 miles today.

Lava Land:

Trail Smiles:

View 1:

View 2:

View 3:

—

Day 144:

Woke up nice and moist. New rule, when hiking in September always, ALWAYS put up your tent’s rain fly.

Rocks on rocks on rocks. It seriously seems like i’m on another planet – this is pretty cool (once you accept that your feet feel like they are being shredded).

As I was walking through this black and grey lava field, something in my line of sight stood out to me and I approached it. It was a lone pine tree sapling growing amongst the rocks. I stopped and looked and appreciated the tree for what it was doing and what it was teaching me. Stay strong buddy.

Hiked on and decided to stop for a snack break when I met John, a 60 year old section hiker (#respect).

Kept going, FINALLY made it past the rocks, and arrived at Big Lake Youth camp for a resupply. Once again, my pack is heavy.

Met some hunters, had dinner at a pond, and called it a night.

14 miles today (not bad for a resupply day).

My inspiring friend: