Day 42 2015

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Tues Sept 29. Ended at 1498.7 for 17.7 miles today.

Well, I made it to Dunsmuir! The adventure is finished for this year. Total miles for this section 645.4. Total miles completed for the PCT is 2144.1. That leaves the state of Washington (514.8 miles) to complete the trail.

The trail today was pleasant, mostly downhill with views and beautiful weather. I didn't take many pictures, too focused on getting to town.

I made travel arrangements to get home, should get there Saturday Oct 3 in the evening. There are 4 flight legs from Medford, hope I make all the flights.

It's been a wonderful, challenging, awesome, and strenuous experience. Great memories.

But, I can't wait to get home!

Day 41 2015

Where I am

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Trail

On the trail!

Camp with Mt Shasta in background

Camp with Castle Crags in background

Monday Sept 28. Ended at 1516.4 for 25.3  miles today.

Today was great. I started exceptionally early and made good miles. Again, (sounds like a broken record) weather was perfect and the views were fantastic .

Tonight will be my last camp, and it is a good one. I have expansive views of mountains, Mt Shasta, and Castle Crags.

Tomorrow I have 17 more miles to get to my end point, and then try to find a ride to Dunsmuir where I will plan my way home.

Day 40 2015

Trail

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View, I took a break here

Camp

Sun Sept 27. Ended at 1541.7 for 24.6 miles today. ~600 miles this trip so far.

Wow, I made some miles today! Started an hour before dawn. Beautiful weather. Have to be careful about water, a lot of the sources are dry so I am carrying extra. Looks like ~40 miles left.

Had the perfect camp to watch the eclipse of the moon.

Day 39 2015

Morning. My favorite time of the day

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Where I am

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Sat Sept 26. Ended at 1566.3 for 17.3 miles today.

I felt better than yesterday, but did not feel like pushing for more miles. Looks like this last leg may add an extra night or two to my plan if I don't make more miles per day.

Again, beautiful scenery set against perfect weather. Did not see any other hikers today,  just a couple of hunters

Day 38 2015

Morning view

Another view

Burn area

Trail

Where I am

Camp

Friday Sept 25. Ended at 1583.6  for 13.7 miles today.

Was dropped off at the trailhead this morning and had an immediate 1000' climb. Looking ahead, the first 50 miles of this leg are relatively tough, but the last 50 miles are fairly easy.

While in town I weighed myself...dropped 25 lbs since starting.

Also when in town my body thought the hike was over, because when I started this morning my legs complained loudly! So, I stopped early and will hope for better tomorrow.

Walked through some burn areas. These were the fires that stopped me last year. Weather was perfect, some puffy clouds and nice temps. Great views throughout the day.

Day 35 2015

Early morning

Hikers I have seen several times

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Riding in the back of a pick-up

Tues Sept 22. Ended at 1597.3 for 18.7 miles today.

Beautiful day with a friendly trail. Started under headlamp with goal of making it to Etna. Made it to the hyway around 3:15.

And...as I was walking to a spot to hitchhike, a pickup came along and stopped! Did not even take 30 seconds to get a ride! I hopped in the truck bed and 15 min later was checking into the Etna motel

I plan to stay till either Thurs or Friday morning, probably Friday.

Day 34 2015

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Camp, just a few feet from a cliff

Monday Sept 21. Ended at 1616.0 for 18.2 miles today. 528 miles total trip-to-date. 120 miles to go!

Today was sunny and warm. Hard to get legs going after a tough day yesterday, but finally hit my stride.

Once I reached the top of the elevation the walking got better and the views spectacular.

I want to get an early start to make the 18+ miles to Etna tomorrow. The road to Etna is lightly travelled, and I will have to hitch. Talked to a couple of other hikers who told me they waited an hour before they even saw a car (but that car picked them up). We will see.

Day 33 2015

Only building in town. Post Office, store, cafe

Started with 6 mile road walk

Steam along trail

Camp. Not as level as I would like

Sun Sept 20. Ended at 1634.2 for 19.2 miles today.

Didn't get going until around 8 due to my breakfast stop.

The climb out of Seiad Valley was (and still is!) intense. Total elevation gain of 5400', of which I still have a little more than 1000 to do tomorrow morning.

I would be lying if I said I did anything but trudge the trail today looking at my feet and hoping to reach the top. Hardest day yet on this trip.

I'll post a few pics, but there wasn't much going on today except...well, trudging.

Day 32 2015

Morning view

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Trail

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Population 350

Camp

Sat Sept 19. Ended at 1653.4 for 19.3 miles today.

Today there was a smoke haze all day, but it did not detract (much) from the spectacular beauty of the day. Really, hard to explain how great the views are.

I ran into some hikers for the fifth time, getting to know them a little.

Stopped at Seiad Valley. There is a small store that I resupplied from. There is a tiny rv park that I was able to shower and do laundry at, and camp. Felt good!

Tomorrow is the long climb out, more details in Sunday's entry. But I know it's coming! But, the cafe opens at 7 and I plan on a good breakfast.

Day 31 2015

Yay! Oregon is finished!

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Pinecone. With a little tree sprouting

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Another view

Camp. Clear view of stars tonight

Fri Sept 18. Ended at 1672.7 for 19.1 miles today.

Today was a perfect weather day with spectacular views.

I took the day slower. More breaks, stopped earler. My camp had wonderful views of the star-filled sky.

Finished Oregon today! Saw a few other people and went by a hunting camp - rifle buck season starts tomorrow.