Mile 2459.8 to 2464.0 — Today’s miles: 4.2 It rains off and on all night, but I’m snug and toasty, all wrapped up in my fleece and down and merino wool. It never sounds that bad, but in the morning there are mud splatters and pine needles all along the outside of my tent, where … More PCT WA Section J Day 9: Endings
Mile 2453.2 to 2459.8 — Today’s miles: 6.6 By the time I finish the last pages of An Untamed State — 9pm! so late! — the wind is almost completely gone, and the night air is quite cold. I wake just after 5am to its gusts again, though, and hear a very light precipitation on … More PCT WA Section J Day 8: Weather
Mile 2446.5 to 2453.2 — Today’s miles: 6.7 In the morning I can still hear fish jumping in the lake below, which is a very pleasant sound to wake to. The mosquitos are at the gates again. I suit up in my windpants and headnet to eat breakfast and pack everything up, stowing these protective … More PCT WA Section J Day 7: Surprise!
Mile 2439.8 to 2446.5 — Today’s miles: 6.7 I am glad for the magically flowing stream next to my tent, because some kids eventually camp on the other side, and the rushing water helps muffle their yelling games (I guess?) that last far past hiker bedtime. At 3am I wake to another backache, and have … More PCT WA Section J Day 6: The Many Forms of Deception
Mile 2428.6 to 2439.8 — Today’s miles: 11.2 It’s a warmish night — I don’t even need my fleece beanie — but I sleep like a rock in my little campsite by Spade Creek. It’s almost hard to get up, I’m so content there. But by 6am my brain’s ready for the next adventure. The … More PCT WA Section J Day 5: Water Magic
Mile 2422.6 to 2428.6 — Today’s miles: 6 In the morning I take my sleep hat off and scratch my scalp all over. Ah, three new mosquito bites on my neck. These will complement the collection on my legs very nicely. I eat breakfast under my headnet but get one more bite behind my knee … More PCT WA Section J Day 4: Easygoing
Mile 2411.2 to 2422.6 — Today’s miles: 11.4 [I am indebted to the awesome Lynda Barry for the title of this post, of course.] In the very early morning I awake to my back aching. I can’t get comfortable and finally have to stretch in child’s pose for a few minutes until I can fall … More PCT WA Section J Day 3: One! Hundred! Blowdowns!
