PCT Day 117

by

White Pass to Bushcamp

31.2 miles

Mile 2325.7

I woke up with a major sugar hangover. Perhaps I should have eaten something besides candy and ice cream yesterday…anyways, by 5 Spikes and I were on our way down Highway 12 to rejoin the PCT.

The morning went by quickly as we weaved through a rich forest draped in fog and speckled with clear ponds.

At one point I realized we had taken a wrong turn at some point, taking us quite a bit off trail. Fortunately, we were able to rejoin the PCT without having to backtrack, but the side trip had added about a mile to our day.

Around 11 we entered into William O. Douglas Wilderness, named after an early 2000th century Supreme Court Justice and avid hiker who did much to protect the outdoors.

Our relaxed morning ended abruptly with a rather lengthy climb, but the effort paid ample dividends in vistas.

After a brief foray into Mt Rainer National Park, I passed the pristine Dewy Lake as I neared Chinook Pass.

When crossing Highway 410 at the pass, I swung by the rest area to dump some garbage before banging out the last few miles to Sheep Lake, our campsite for the evening.

I reached the lake a bit before 5, and was sad to find the good campgrounds taken by weekenders. Unperturbed, I found a descent spot on the far side of the lake to call home.

Shortly after, Spikes arrived and we enjoyed our dinners telling each other of our days adventure.

Cheers!

9 thoughts on “PCT Day 117”

  2. You could do an entire book with your photos of the changing of trail paths – I’ve enjoyed throughout your journey the way you’ve captured their differences. Sometimes looking so groomed and knowing the grooming has been solely from the steps of hikers.

    Again thanks for sharing with us

  3. Hey Austin – I hope you’re keeping one step ahead of those skeeters.

    I expect your yo-yo is extremely rare. Do you know how many completed the yo-yo? Are you aware of anyone else doing that this year? You will be a trail legend.

    In looking at your last IG post you appear to have lost more weight. Do you think you need to increase your intake of Complete Cookies? haha

    Keep moving.

    p.s. I hope Spikes leg is better.

    • Howdy Roger,

      The skeeters haven’t been nearly as bad in WA. I’m hoping they aren’t too bad on my way back south.

      I’ve no idea how many people have done it, but I certainly won’t be the first. There’s a joker named Airborne a day or two behind me that is also attempting the yo-yo…we plan to hike together, he’s a cool dude. Not sure if there’s anyone else.

      My weight has pretty much reached an equilibrium. It seems like my metabolism has finally caught up, as I haven’t been as hungry lately. Mmm I always eat at least one of those cookies per day!

      Cheers!

  4. Hi Austin and Paige,
    Glad you made it. I had not heard from you in a while and getting concerned. We are all living the adventure through you.
    I hope your leg is better Paige, I hear you have 2 days of rest before your job life starts in SoCal. Oh! to be young again.
    I am unclear how you reconnected from the doctors to the PCT, maybe I will wait for the movie version.

    Hang in there, Canada coming up.

    John

    • Howdy John!

      Paige is feeling solid. I’m glad she recovered so quickly. We’re making our final push to the border…less than 200 miles to go! Cheers!

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