Episode 68: Day 162-164

Day 162:

Started at 8am and the first hour or so was great.

Until the knee pain set it. I think its an IT band issue. Honestly, I’m not sure exactly what that means, but I know a lot of hikers had that last year, and I have the same symptoms: 1) outer knee pain 2) especially going downhill.  All I can do is hike at a reasonable pace, rest often, and take ibuprofen.

Met a bunch of SOBOs today, one of which was named Slug – who also had a ukulele. We chatted about music, exchanged Instagram handles and hiked on.

On one of my knee breaks another NOBO caught up with me. His name is Sweep, he also finished his 2016 PCT hike at Cascade Locks and is here to finish it up, and just FYI – I’m certain he is at least 60 years old (#respect). Also, his base weight is 15 lbs and he is hiking 24 miles today. Yeah, Im impressed.

Thankfully there were beautiful views today that distracted me from my knee pain. When I couldn’t handle it anymore (the pain, not the views), I looked for a campsite and eventually found one with several spots, one of which Sweep had taken.

I plopped down and just sat there appreciating the feeling of not being in pain. After a while, I mustered up the effort to set up my tent and cook dinner. I thought maybe some human interaction would boost my mood, so I asked Sweep if he wanted to have dinner together. I went over to his camp and we talked about life. What a guy. I definitely want to be doing this when I’m 60+.

Goodnight.

15 miles today (I guess thats decent with a bum knee).

Oh yeah:

Mosquito Proof:

Wide View:

Mt Adams:

Wildflowers:

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Day 163:

Another 8 am start. Feels natural to me.

Knee was hurting so I took an Ibuprofen every four hours to keep me going today. Especially with these climbs, I needed the help.

BUT, with climbs come views. And today was a day filled with so much of both. Im going through Goat Rocks Wilderness people, one of the legendarily aesthetic sections of trail.

Met a SOBO who advised that I take the alternate trail over knifes edge because the main trail was covered in snow/ice, so I decided to play it safe and take his advice. Little did I know that meant an extra climb/descent of 300 feet of elevation. NEVER AGAIN. Especially since I ran into Pockets and Sweep later that day who both said the regular route was fine. My new mantra is “Safety Third.”

Oh yeah, I met Pockets going SOBO today! He said someone offered him a ride home from Trout Lake, so he decided to turn around.

Spoke to Sweep for a minute when I passed his camp and kept going.

2.5 miles later I set up camp.

16 miles today.

GOAT ROCKS VIEWS:

Waterfall:

Snow shoes:

Happy Hiker:

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Day 164:

At first, the knee was manageable today, but by 10am, I had to take some meds.

I was able to make it the 10 miles to the road at White Pass, and walked along it to the Kracker Barrel Gas Station. Picked up my boxes and hung out with Flex and Waker as I packed my bag.

Went back inside and ran into Sweep! And he did a little trail angeling by letting me throw my laundry in with his. Yay – clean socks here I come!

Hiked out at 7pm and eventually set up camp at Sand Lake.

13 miles today (with a resupply).

Green:

The path can get a little rocky:

I see where this is going:

New PCT sign:

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Video: