PCT Day 182

by

Bushcamp to Agnew Meadows

30.0 miles

Sobo mile 1737.7

Total mileage 4398.6

Once again I was on my way by 3:30am. I don’t mind the early starts, as I’d rather hike early than hike late, and it’s not too cold out yet. I knocked out 10 miles before the sun had risen thanks to the flat easy trail along Lyell Canyon.

Just before 7am I began my ascent of Donohue Pass. I made quick work of the switchbacks and granite stairs leading up to the pass, stopping only to snap pictures. This had been one of the more challenging passes on my way north through the snow, but now it was cake.

When I reached the top of the pass I stopped to chat with a Forest Service employee who was hanging out collecting visitor info. I was worried he’d bust me for not having a bear canister, but luck was on my side this time.

Pushing on, I descended the northern side of the pass before making the quick climb up Island Pass. This lump of a mountain can hardly be called a pass, but it did offer a dope view of Thousand Island Lake.

From there I had only 9 miles to go until Agnew Meadows, where my buddy FedEx would be waiting to drive me into Mammoth. The ridge walk to the trailhead was completely unfamiliar to me. I’ve said it before, but gosh dang this place looks different without snow!

Just before 3pm I rolled up to the parking lot at Agnew Meadows, where FedEx was waiting in his awesome converted camper van. He managed the hostel Paige and I had stayed in on our way north, and was happy to help me get into town. We went straight to Brother John’s for some grub.

I chowed down on a dozen wings, a cilantro lime chicken salad and a couple IPAs!

While eating we made plans for meeting up near Kearsarge Pass. He volunteered to hike in a resupply for me, turning my 200+ mile food carry from Agnew Meadows to Kennedy Meadows South into a 120 mile and a 80 mile carry…way better! Shout out to FedEx for coming in clutch!!!

Absolutely stuffed, I thanked FedEx before heading across the street to check in at the Motel 6. After a quick load of laundry I hopped in bed to catch some z’s.

P.s. The following day I took a shuttle from Mammoth up to Reno to catch a plane to Phoenix for my buddies wedding. I get to fatten up, spend time with Paige and see friends and family for the next four days, woot!

I’ll be back on trail Sunday night, so stay tuned and cross your fingers that I don’t miss my weather window to get through the Sierra snow free!

Cheers!

18 thoughts on “PCT Day 182”

  1. I’ve been following your blog with great interest, but I wish you’d comply with the regs and carry a bear can. They are to protect the bears, not you. Good job on beating the snow.

  5. Full strength! Glad to see those big miles day after day. I hopped on the PCT near The Bridge of the Gods. I only walked long enough to say I hiked on the PCT. haha

    Enjoy your time in PHX!

    Be well.

    • Haha… did that back in August in the Truckee area. Did the stretch between I-80 and Donner Pass (40), just to say I hiked on the PCT (at least a small part of it). Here’s hoping I get to knock out the other 2600+ miles at some point.

  6. Enjoy your wedding weekend. You may be overwhelmed by city life. Take it easy. Send pics of you and Paige………please🤗
    Lv u G

  7. Are your friends shocked at your weight loss? Are you still down 30lbs? That’s around 105,000 calories – over your BMR. That’s a lot of wedding cake and holiday treats. LOL

    Re Bears. Black bears are scavengers, much like pigeons and coyotes, so their food sources need to be limited. If apex predators like brown bears (Grizzlies) & wolves were still extant, then cans would be for your own safety. See: AK, MT, WY.

    Btw, Yosemite is ‘must carry’ throughout the park, so you did get a bit lucky. SEKI has more nuanced rules, where only Dusy (not on PCT), Rae & Rock creek are “must carry”. You can get around this by using boxes, with the remainder of the park subject to alternatives:

    https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/bear_bc.htm

  8. Wish I could be in Phoenix to see your u & meet Paige👍😘 Hope the wedding is fun with friends . Share pics and say Hi to Paige! She proud of you! Love Grammy😍

  10. As you know, you’re killing it dude! I was pulling 20’s from Mammoth to Tahoe in 2015 and I thought that was hard. You’re doing almost twice that. I’m impressed. I hope the weather holds a few more weeks for you to get through to KM.

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