Day 171:
Started at 8am and I’m feeling really motivated – since if I get to town I get to sleep in a bed tonight.
Along the way, I met a few other hikers who told me there are fire everywhere! The smoke is coming from fires in Oregon, Washington, and Canada. It’s getting pretty bad.
As I got closer to town, I got some cell signal so I was able to touch base with family and friends. But it was not all fun and games, a text from mom informed me that the ETA on my resupply box was Monday, and its only Thursday! I cant wait that long. Doing my best not to freak out right now.
Once I arrived, I booked a room at Snoqualmie Summit Inn sand started to strategize my food situation. There was something that resembled a grocery store next dorr, so I went in and bought rice, tortillas, peanut butter, tuna, and nuts. It will have to do. Mom then called UPS and had the box rerouted to my next stop.
Shower time!
When I got ready for bed, I plugged my iPhone into the wall to charge… but its not working – the cord is faulty. This is a frustrating day.
20 Miles today.
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Day 172:
Ideally I would have hiked out first thing, but my phone is pretty important, so I am going to hang around and charge it. So I bought an iPhone cord from the gas station as soon as it opened at 8:45am.
Hanging out in the lobby of the inn was actually amazing. I met so many hikers – I helped a guy called Spot, an older gentleman, navigate the PCTA website and submit his “entry into Canada” permit. Soon after that, in walks Wild Child who I met her last year on the PCT! She was also back to finish the rest of her hike. We took a selfie and sent it to Superstar, one of our friends we both hiked with in 2016.
I’m so glad I ran into her, because she pretty much diagnosed my knee issue and prescribed treatment. For sure it was an IT band issue, which can really only be solved with rest, BUT a knee sleeve and ibuprofen will help. I went to the grocery store and bought a knee sleeve – I’m so lucky they were selling them.
Time flew by in conversation and I didn’t leave the hotel until 2:30pm. The trail welcomed me back with a steep 7 mile climb…
Found a nice shady campsite by Ridge Lake and set everything up.
My first meal with my improvised resupply wasn’t the greatest success. Made way too much rice since I don’t have everything pre-measured like I’m used to. Ill learn.
Goodnight.
7 miles today.
Wild Child:
Worth the climb:
Smiles:
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Day 173:
Rest day.
Read The Guns Of Hanging Lake which I pulled from the hiker-box at the inn. Very exciting western murder mystery.
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Day 174:
Lazy morning. Didn’t start hiking until 8:30am.
Early on, I met a hiker named Blaze, a NOBO who started in Campo but had to skip 300 miles of the Sierra due to snow conditions. Also met an Israeli guy who is hiking SOBO, I easily recognized the accent.
Long rest before the climb, eating a snack and hanging out with Trailblazer who I met at the Inn. He is doing the climb in the morning. But I cant call it a day at 14 miles.
Not the steepest, but definitely a challenging 4 miles to get to the next flat spot where I could camp.
18 miles today.
The view:
Sunset:
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Video:
maxontrack 