PCT Day 56

Bushcamp to Mammoth

47.4 miles (6.5 off trail miles)

Mile 903.4

I woke up later than I’d meant, to find water had found its way into my tent during the night. Great…

I packed up my wet gear and frozen tent before setting off into the dark after Spikes around 5am. The fresh layer of snow made navigation tough, as it hid any footprints that might have guided my way.

Before long I’d caught up with Spikes, and we set out together to finish the few miles left until Seldon Pass.

We worked our way slowly up the pass, trying our best to navigate the powder covered trailess mountain.

When we reached the top of the Pass, I snapped a few pics before beginning the descent. It was too cold and my feet were too wet to justify lingering on the exposed mountain.

The trek down was easy enough, but made painful from the constant post holing.

We were anxious to get down to a lower elevation so we could dry our soaked gear out in the sun. When we found a solid rocky spot to explode our packs we hung out for a hour or so, enjoying the warmer weather while eating a massive lunch.

Around 11am we packed up and picked a campsite 18 miles up the trail to meet at that night before setting out once again.

Feeling prime, I jammed quickly up the trail, trying to make it over Silver Pass before dark.

I passed a few river crossings and epic waterfalls along the way.

As I began my final ascent towards Silver Pass I noticed some angry clouds heading my way, so again I picked up my pace.

The snowy plain before the summit was gorgeous, but the lack of trail, footprints and post holing made navigation tough.

It was just about 6pm when I reached the top of the Pass. I stopped only briefly before hauling ass down the other side as dark clouds crept slowly towards me.

The descent wasn’t bad. I was lucky to have a pair a footprints to guide my way down the mountain, around the frozen lakes and into the valley below

Just past 7pm I reached the location that Spikes and I had planned on meeting to camp that night. I’d already hiked 26 miles and climbed two passes, but I felt amazing and had an intense desire to get into town. After consulting my map I made the decision to bang out the 20 some miles left that night. I quickly jotted a note for Spikes before setting off into the night.

She’d be able to text me with her InReach unit, so I’d know she made it once I got into town. I stopped at this bridge to slam the remaining food I had.

By 8pm I was moving again. I had a few tumor sized mountains I’d need to climb, but nothing that looked too arduous. Most the miles I had left we’re lower in elevation, so I was hopping that the snow wouldn’t be to bad. Unfortunately, it was bad…real bad.

As I hiked through the night I kept my head torch on its lowest setting, beaming just enough light to follow the barely visible footsteps laid out in the crunchy snow. I didn’t have extra batteries on me, so I prayed that I’d have enough juice in my lamp to get me through the night.

Fueled by Starbucks Via coffee packets and Jolly Ranchers, I hiked without pausing. It was kinda spooky being alone in the dark, but my sharp axe gave me some level of comfort. At one point I thought for sure I’d seen a head lamp bobbing in the distance…but it turned out to just be a silly star.

I reached the 900 mile marker around 1am, where a snapped a photo before banging out the final 3.4 miles to the trail junction that would take me over Mammoth Pass and into town.

There were a few river crossings that made me extra nervous due to my delirious state.

When I reached the trail junction a bit after 2am, I meant to sit briefly against the sign post to jot Spikes another message, but accidentally passed out. I woke still sitting with my pack on around 5am confused and exhausted. After gaining my bearings, I chugged another coffee before heading down the side trail to make my way into town.

Mammoth Pass was easy elevation wise, but completely covered in snow. My sluggish pace was hindered further by my frequent navigational errors. I needed sleep…food…and more sleep.

Finally I emerged from the forest into a small parking lot near Lake Mary around 9am. I saw a dude heading towards the trailhead, so I called out in hopes he could direct me towards town.

He was a friendly guy named Boaty who offered up some directions, as well as a beer and meal on his tab at Mammoth Brewery where he worked. I thanked him before heading off down the road.

It was about a 3 mile walk down the closed road to where it opened up to traffic. On my way I ran into an older gentleman named Fred who offered to drive me into town. I thankfully accepted, and hopped into his truck. He ended up giving me a full tour of Mammoth before dropping me off in front of the Motel 6.

It was just past 11 when I finally entered my room. After an amazing warm shower I jumped into bed, asleep before my head hit the pillow.

What an epic day! Awake for over 30 hours, 23 of which I was hiking. I walked more than 47 miles and crossed three mountain passes, Seldon, Silver and Mammoth. Never have I been more pleased to be in town. Having pushed my body to its limits, I’m looking forwards to some R&R in this awesome mountain town.

Mammoth madness got me good, but I made it. Heck yeah!!!

Cheers!

P.s. and here’s my toe…