PCT Day 160

by

Callahan’s Lodge to Bushcamp

39.9 miles

Sobo mile 973.3

Total mileage 3625.9

A bit after 5am I was walking down the street to where I’d left the trail a few days earlier. I had Paige drop me off at Callahan’s Lodge the night before, since it offered camping with quick access to the trail.

Back on trail, I spent the morning ascending rolling hills of woodlands and meadows.

Around 9 I stumbled upon some trail magic consisting of two coolers loaded with sodas. Whoever maintains this cache must refill it often, as it looked the same as it did two months earlier when I passed it heading north.

After enjoying a lime soda, I pushed on towards the Oregon California border.

My stomach began acting up around noon, making things less fun…

I reached the border at 2. Only one more state to go!

The remainder of my afternoon was spent dodging cows as made my way uphill. I was surprised by how brown everything had turned since I’d been there. What had been green meadows and rolling hills were now dry and dead.

I topped off my water at Alex Hole Spring, before banging out the final 4 miles to camp.

I ate a massive dinner of peanut butter and naan inside my tent while watching some Netflix before crashing.

P.s. I visited an urgent care while in Bend to have my stomach checked out. I was shocked to find my weight down to 150lbs…that’s about 30lbs down from when I started.

The doctor diagnosed the discomfort I’ve been experiencing as a swollen gallbladder. He gave me a shot in the butt to reduce the swelling, took blood and gave my gallbladder an ultrasound to search for stones.

Today I received the results of the ultrasound and blood panel, both came back normal, so I’m right back where I started…pretty frustrating.

Cheers!

14 thoughts on “PCT Day 160”

  1. How heavy is your pack right now? Going to plan on carrying/eating more food to offset the weight loss?

    • I’m not really sure, but it’s base weight must be below 10 lbs. I’ve been carrying enough food, I just haven’t been eating it because of my stomach pain.

  2. 40 mpd is elite territory. If you have a chance, shoot me your planned schedule. I’m heading up for one last trip before 9/21, but I think I’m going to miss you. (Backdoor from Cottonwood to Whitney to fish a few remote lakes.)

    We’re off to Oktoberfest and a little Alps road trip, but will be back mid-Oct. If you want, I can meet you @ a cross-roads with some (cooked) food, beer and a send-off to the border.

    • Hard to say where I’ll be around 9/21, but hopefully somewhere near Tahoe. It would be great to meet up in October. Enjoy your eurotrip and we’ll see where I’m at when you’re back. Cheers!

  4. I hope your stomach issues come to an end soon. Can you change your diet up on the trail? Do you have Tums, they help me. Seems like you are making excellent time going SOBO. I can’t believe you are in California already. Do you plan on cutting back on your MPD ? Take care. I’m praying for you.

    • Thanks Debi! I’ve been feeling better these last few days, so I’m hoping that’s the last of my stomach issues. I’ve had to slow down my pace a bit due to the increased elevation, but I’m still trying to do high 30’s

  5. We are in the North Atlantic on our way to the Faroe Islands almost Artic Circle country. Do take care Austin. Seems you are pushing awfully hard and we can’t always get your blogs. Folks seem to drink a good amount of beer here supposedly an old Viking brew 🙃
    You take care. Lv u G

  6. Wow! You are moving fast! Sorry to hear about stomach pains, not fun😂 Praying for you to pace yourself hiking and eating🙏😘 Vaya con Dios👍❤️ Love you Grammy

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