PCT Day 164

Bushcamp to Bushcamp

36.5 miles

Sobo mile 1103.0

Total mileage 3755.6

When my alarm woke me at 4am I was surprised to find myself feeling rather good. The illness that had plagued me the previous day seemed gone, so I packed up and started walking.

Shortly after crossing paths with this millipede, I looked up to see two large eyes staring back at me in the darkness. Thinking it must be a bear or mountain lion, I yelled at the creature to go away. When it turned to run I saw that it was just a deer…

I reached a ridge line just as the sun began peaking over the mountains and through the clouds, so I decided to stop and watch it. Over the next five minutes I enjoyed a dramatic sunrise.

Pushing on, I entered into the Trinity Alps Wilderness.

As the morning progressed smoke began to fill the air.

The smoke was coming from a new fire that had Castella and Dunsmuir evacuated, and the I-5 closed. It had 55 miles of trail closed from Gumboot Trailhead to Ash Camp.

This meant that my original plan of resupplying in Castella wouldn’t work. Luckily, I contacted a trail angel named Tony who’d pick me up tomorrow at Gumboot Trailhead and take me into Shasta.

Around 2 I passed a hiking couple who were waiting for a hitch at Highway 3. They were the first and last people I’d see. I did see a cool lizard right after though.

The last few hours flew by as I listened to “Call of the Wild”, an audiobook Paige had sent me. The story of Buck’s epic journey got me all the way to camp.

As I pitched my tent I reflected on how much better I’d felt today than the previous two weeks. I don’t want to jinx it, but maybe I’m getting better?

Cheers!

9 thoughts on “PCT Day 164”

  1. Reading this from Reykjavik Iceland. If you want another hiking adventure your Gram thinks she had found the place. All’s well with us and hope your issues are over.
    Take care and be safe. Lv u G

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  3. Truly hope you are kicking the stomach bug, but I second everyone else. You can never be too safe.!
    The real reason I wanted to contact you again, was to ask what other books/podcasts/music do you listen to while two stepping? I have a habit of listening to fiction, but would love to hear some of your favorites/recommendations.

    Cheers, and happy hiking 🍪🍧🍺🛏️

    • Hi Chris, I’ve been feeling better the last few days! I usually listen to music, but when I want to change it up its either a sci fi audiobook, or the Joe Rogan, Hardcore History or Trail Show podcasts.

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