Neon's PCT Adventure

Mile 2664(ish)- The Canadian Border....and beyond!

2010-09-30T09:06:00.000-07:00

I completed my thru-hike of the PCT at 8am on September 21st- almost exactly 2 years after I completed my AT thru-hike. Sorry it's taken me so long to do this final posting, but I was in Vancouver with some other hiker trash(that's what we like to call ourselves) for a few days, then went down to Seattle and am officially back in Colorado job-hunting now. I made a list of people I need to thank for trail magic/trail angeling/giving me a hitch in Vancouver and it's 2 pages long! I won't be able to thank you all here, but you know who you are and I know I couldn't have done this hike without you guys- THANK YOU!

Water was not scarce in Washington

This used to be a bridge....

Found another hiker near cathedral peak drying his stuff out

Had to get photographic evidence of Max Chill and I in our shorts for the first time in about a week

another beautiful view near White Pass- Elk season had just begun, so we saw quite a few hunters in this area of Glacier Peaks Wilderness

hiking down the glaciated valley

This area(Glacier Peaks Wilderness) has alot of blow-downs. Thankfully, the PCTA just spent alot of time, money and manpower clearing most of them off the trail- I only had to climb over/under/around about 60 as opposed to the 400+ people have had to deal with in past years

One of the passes on a nice weather day

Crossing the mighty Sueattle River- if you look down at the water too long you get dizzy because it's moving so fast and the log you're crossing isn't

As close to the 'I have less than 100 miles to go' mark as I could figure

me with one of the giant cedar trees in Glacier peaks wilderness

A fresh cinnamon roll at the Stehekin Bakery!

A PCT burger at Stehekin landing- 2-1/2 lb patties, ham, bacon, cheese, an egg, and some toppings- almost everyone who got it ate it all of course

After getting rained on all morning, the view opened up when we hit this pass

The fall colors coming out- they were so beautiful

We ate dinner in the pit toilet because it was the only dry spot at Hart's Pass- best food I've ever eaten in the bathroom!

Tamarack Trees are changing color for fall

Epic hiking into the mist

Not enjoying getting snowed on after being rained/sleeted on all morning

Coming up to Woody Pass- last pass on the PCT!

Our last morning on the trail- a picture of everyone taking pictures of the clearcut which marks the Canadian/US border. Also- notice the snow line on the mountains

Shades and Epic having a moment at the Canadian Border

Max Chill finishing the last of the Stehekin Bakery's cinnamon rolls he packed out

ME! at the Canadian Border sign

The group I finished with- Max Chill, Pat, Epic in his balaclava, Daredevil, Little Engine on top, me, Plain Slice, and Shades

Mile 2400ish- Snoqualmie Pass

2010-09-09T07:52:00.000-07:00

The weather's starting to become more cold and wet as fall is quickly approaching. When you can see, the views are beautiful. I've stopped doing big mile days, 25 miles a day is enough for me, especially with the terrain becoming a bit more difficult. 250 more miles!

Crossing the Bridge of the Gods into Washington!

Going around Mt. Adams

Going across Packwood Glacier

Looking towards Mt. Rainier from Goat Rocks

North of Chinook Pass

One of the few views I've had in the past few days because of the perpetual mist

Mile 2155.2- Cascade Locks, Or

2010-09-01T08:12:00.000-07:00

I made it from Ashland to Cascade Locks(most of Oregon) in 13 days. I did my first(and probably last) 40-plus mile days as well- 4 in all. The scenery was beautiful, but fall is most definitely on the horizon. I also got to see many people that I got ahead of and meet new people who have been behind me the whole time- Fuzzy Monkey, Train, Bear, Sparkles, Pony, Nonstop, Maybelline, Barrak, Noga, Green Mile, Cloudbuster, The older Kiwis, Guthook, Tangent... I have about 500 miles to go to finish this trail, and figure I can do it in about 3 weeks- which is good, because with colder weather approaching, I'm not sure I'd like to be out longer than that. Still enjoying every minute!
Walking across lava fields= not very fun Crater Lake! Bear, Cloudbuster and Green Mile making dinner with Mt. Thielson in the background- before the clouds rolled in and obscured the view. The Oregon/Washington High Point on the Trail- a whopping 7,000-something ft. Beautiful lake we took a swim break at north of Willamette Pass- it was COLD! Me as close to the 2,000 mile mark as I could figure a beautiful morning shot north of 3-Finger Jack in the 3 Sisters Wilderness Mount Jefferson and I There was a Fire Closure they were shuttling us around- 15 miles Notice the horse poo on that trail- that's nothing new... Crater Lake
Walking through 3 Sisters Wilderness

Red's Meadow south to Kiersarge Pass- aka making up the section I skipped

2010-08-16T18:59:00.000-07:00

One of the beautiful Lakes On top of Selden Pass 1/2 Ounce crossing Evolution Creek Another Beautiful Lake The switchbacks going up Mather Pass 1/2 Ounce standing to the side of the trail to let a pack train go past ANOTHER beautiful lake! I took a bus with Half Ounce back down to finish the section we both missed. The Sierra Nevada Mountains were beautiful, a little buggy, and SUPER populated! We saw so many people hiking the John Muir Trail, but passed them quickly because we were doing high 20 mile days as opposed to mid- to low-teens. Enjoy the pictures and videos!
Top of Silver Pass
Top of Selden Pass
Top of Muir Pass
Top of Pinchot Pass
Top of Glen Pass

Mile 1730ish- Ashland, Oregon!

2010-08-08T14:33:00.000-07:00

First town in Oregon, and I'm loving it! Ashland is a wonderful town, with a little downtown area that has a lot of different restaurants and a Shakespeare Festival. The hike from Etna has been nice as well, without too many ups and downs, and with wonderful people:) We got into Seiad Valley(which is apparently the heart of the state of Jefferson- if you don't know, look it up), and the cafe was closed, so we didn't do the 5 pound pancake challenge. I also happened to pick up some poison oak along the way, but it's not too itchy, so I haven't been too bothered by it.

Marble Mountains!

The berries are starting to ripen, I got about half a gatorade bottle full- SO tasty!

New shoes in Seiad Valley after wearing the ones in the middle for about 900 miles- they had NO tread left

It was hot in Seiad Valley- The Graduate and Max Chill hanging out at the RV Park

Thru- hiker Non-Essentials

Made it to Oregon! August 6 at about 930am

Thru-hiker Essentials?

You can still see Mt.Shasta coming out of the mist!

Mile 1610- Etna, Ca

2010-08-02T13:18:00.000-07:00

Yes, I'm still in California! Almost to the border of Oregon, though- only 90 more miles! Here are some pictures from the beauty of northern California, I don't understand at all how people get bored through this area. Also, thank you to Max Chill's parents as well as the Muppets who thru-hiked last year, and their lovely Owl researching friends for the trail magic!

We've had good views of Mt. Shasta for a good week, it's been lovely to see it from every angle at different times of the day

Max Chill going down into Subway Cave, near Old Station

Hikers don't listen very well....especially when the construction workers aren't around...

Mt Shasta! behind some other mountains...

Sunrise at Bull Lake

Little Engine and Plain Slice hiking down the trail in the Trinity Alps

View down toward one of the lakes we walked around- this is right near Etna Summit

Max Chill walking over snow on August 1!

Mile 1382ish- Old Station, Ca

2010-07-23T12:34:00.000-07:00

We've reached the end of the land of the Trail Angels here at Old Station. I'll give you the rundown of angels I've enjoyed over the past couple weeks: In Truckee, there's Pooh Corner, 2 days later you get to Sierra City and have the Red Moose, 2 and a hlaf days later, you've got the Williams' at Bucks Lake, another day and you've got the Braatens at Belden, another day and a half gets you to Piper's mom in Chester right after passing the half way point on the trail, another day of hiking gets you to Drakesbad guest ranch(you have to pay for the food, but not the hot springs!), and finally another day gets you here to the Heitmans! It's been a wonderful couple weeks, but I think it'll be nice to start getting bigger miles in- maybe I'll do my first 35 miler in the next week! If it's not too hot, that is. Yes, this is how a true thru-hiker cooks dinner. Notice how Hasty is straddling his stove while eating a pre-dinner snack. Also notice how- even though the flames are about to get her- Motor only leans back, instead of getting up. Little Engine, Shroomer, Mrs. Williams, Max Chill and Smiles hanging out on the Williams' AMAZING deck at Buck's Lake First view of Mt. Lassen in the distance. Don't worry, it hasn't erupted for about 100 years.
Apparently the moss on these trees starts at snowline.
another helpful sign... Yes, this is one of the credible water sources on the PCT Half way! and I still have almost all my toenails.... Bear butt! I watched this bear tear apart a couple of logs for about ten minutes, it was amazing to see him grab the bugs inside First Volcanic 'lake' in Lassen National Park Smiles and Shroomer riding the 'pony' at Drakesbad

Hasty playing his harmonica as we're passing under I-80 at Donner Pass

Mile ?- Donner Pass/ Truckee, Ca

2010-07-13T06:34:00.000-07:00

I made it back to Mammoth after my family reunion and decided to go north from there, then come back to the high Sierrra in early August- when the streams aren't running fast and high. There have been a few interesting stream crossings and the mosquitos have begun to hatch, but as of right now, I've made it to the wonderful hospitality of Poohbear(AT '96) and his wife who share their home and food with hikers!

Boston, Half Ounce and Cubby looking out from the last 'big' pass- Donahue

Oh, Yosemite....

Thankfully, there was a bridge over this stream/river

The mosquitos have officially hatched- 1/2 Ounce during a break

1/2 Ounce fording one of the slower moving streams

The stream crossing where I lost a trekking pole- it was about waist deep

A snowfield going up the last 10,000ft peak before Sanora Pass

One of the beautiful lakes we passed around Lake
TahoeAn afternoon storm rolling in right before I got to Carson Pass

Me with Lake Tahoe in the background

Attempt to hike north from Sanora Pass- miles 1020ish to 1053ish

2010-06-28T18:05:00.000-07:00

Before heading to my family reunion in Colorado, I jumped a bit north on the trail to attempt to make mileage before getting off-trail for 5 days. I wound up being the first through that area by myself. After 3 days of making first tracks through the massive amounts of snow using my map and compass, having to refind the few pieces of un-snow-covered trail every morning (and whenever I lost it throughout the day), I made it 33 miles from Sanora Pass to Ebbit's Pass, where I luckily ran into a couple wonderful backcountry skiers/snowboarders. Chance and Dave-O gave me a ride into Tahoe, made me some dinner, let me use their shower, AND crash on their couch for the night. Such needed trail magic! I then proceeded to call a friend of a friend in Reno- Jeremy- and he let me crash at his place until my flight left 2 days later. I definitely owe some people after this week!

I came down this right after Sanora Pass

One of the few trail markers I was estatic to find after a couple hours of being lost

One of the few sections of trail I came across

Following Dave-O's tele tracks to Ebbit's Pass

Mile 790ish- Kiersarge Pass

2010-06-17T18:17:00.000-07:00

I don't think anything I say right now will do justice to the beauty I've been hiking through, so I'll just post these pictures and a couple videos for you to enjoy! Trail Magic! Brian makes camp ovens, and he hiked in food to promote it- he made us pizza and banana nut bread! A view right after we hit the snow I made it to the top! The view from Mt. Whitney Looking across the snowfield at Forrester Pass- It's the one in the middle Me at the top of Forrester Pass

First big creek crossing!

Glissading down Forrester Pass!

Mile 703ish- Kennedy Meadows aka the jump-off(to the Sierras)

2010-06-11T12:21:00.000-07:00

Mile 500!(ish)

Everyone hanging out in the only shade in the middle of the Mojave Desert

One of the burn areas along the trail

A bunch of hikers getting water out of the only on-trail water source in the middle of a 30 mile dry stretch

One of my Cowgirl camping setups

A view after hiking up out of Walker Pass

I'm just happy to be at KM

Kennedy Meadows General Store

We made it 700 miles, and we are semi-officially out of the desert! Yes, I've technically been in the desert for the past 6 weeks, even though it's just started getting above 75*. We're moving onto the Sierra Nevadas, and I'm going to attempt to make it into Mammoth Lakes by June 23 so I can catch a bus upto Reno to go back to Colorado for a family Reunion. Our Group of 7(Princess, Lip Service, Avo, GQ, Captain Obvious, Blaze, and I) will be going up Mt. Whitney in the next couple of days(the highest mtn in the continental US) and hitting the highest point on the PCT- Forrester Pass(at around 13,000ft) right after that. It's going to be an adventure, I'm definitely very excited for this section of trail!

Mile 558ish- Tehachapi, Ca

2010-06-01T12:43:00.000-07:00

I left my camera on the other side of town, so unfortunately there will be no pictures this post. We've walked for about 4 days from the Andersons to here, and it's finally gotten warm! Highs have been in the 80s instead of the 50s and 60s, and I've been sweating! This may not seem like big and exciting news to most of you out there, but with the Sierra Nevadas coming up fast,(about a week away) the hot weather is definitely to be enjoyed because it means we won't hit the snowpack until 11,000ft. instead of 10,000! It also means the snow'll only be 8ft. deep instead of 10, who wouldn't be excited for that?
I did my first night-hike out of Hiker Town(which is at the edge of the Mojave Desert) after talking with the eccentric gentleman who owns the HT property- quite an interesting guy. We hiked along the L.A. Aquaduct through the Desert from 8pm to 11pm, then got up at 5am and hiked to the only shade by 10am- a bridge/water source.
Worldwide, Seamus, GQ, Fuzzy Monkey, Blaze, Fully Loaded, Princess, Lip Service, Shani, Noga, and I hung out until about 6pm, then right as we were leaving got trail magic from a couple- Law and Order- who usually do magic in the now burnt-out section of the trail. Watermelon and Orange soda never tasted so good.
Pictures will hopefully be uploaded next week while I'm in Kennedy Meadows!

Mile ?- The Anderson's house in Green Valley, Ca

2010-05-26T16:51:00.000-07:00

We headed out of Wrightwood the morning the Tour de California came through. This is the beginning of the massive roadwalk

We made it to the Sauffleys in Agua Dulce! This is what their yard looks like during hiker season

I finally found a pinecone as big as my head!

Emilee and Avo doing their best to get a hitch into the Andersons after a 24-mile day from Agua Dulce

Since Wrightwood, we've walked about 60 miles on road because of a fire detour, and about 25 miles on trail. I don't have many pictures because road walking is tiresome and monotonous aka freaking boring! The group I'm with is really great, and Dagney got a trail name- Princess! We've decided we're in no hurry to get to Kennedy Meadows(the last stop before the Sierras) because it's still really snowy through the Sierras- they got another 2 ft the other day! So we zeroed at the Sauffleys in Agua Dulce and are zeroing again here at the Andersons. Good times have been had by all!

Mile 363.6 ish- Wrightwood, Ca.

2010-05-20T12:54:00.000-07:00

Hasty and I's clothes dryer in Idylwild One of the Rattlesnakes I almost stepped on along Mission Creek Finding the re-route after Hwy 15 Emily and Dots doing Yoga and a drying party Avo, Emily and Dagney hiking the road re-route
I've been doing good mileage since Big Bear Lake- I did my first 25 mile day, with an hour stop to enjoy a natural hot spring that was right next to the trail. Onto Agua Dulce!

Hasty and I crossing some of the first of much snow in the San Jocintos

Mile 165ish - Big Bear Lake from Hiway 18

2010-05-13T10:54:00.001-07:00

So wow, snow already. After leaving Warner Springs, I hiked a few 20ish mile days through desert to palms-to-pines hiway. Everyone on trail had been talking about the San Jocinto Mountains being possibly snow-ridden from palms-to-pines hiway to Fuller Ridge Campground. I decided to try it anyway, and met up with Hasty, who was going to try to go through as well. We didn't hit snow until about 2 or 3 miles before Devil's Slide trail, which we were planning on taking into Idylwild. We couldn't find the trail for a while, but thankfully Hasty had a compass and we used our compass and map- reading skills to find our way across the valley to the saddle that the devil's slide trail is in.
The next day, after filling our bellies and food bags in Idylwild, Hasty and I went back up into the mountains to attempt Fuller Ridge. After walking for about 12 hours, most of which was not on-trail but sinking/traipsing/bushwhacking through snow, rocks, and bushes, we made it 14ish trail miles to Fuller Ridge campground. It was the first time on the trail thusfar that I'd truly been relieved to be in camp for the night. I was told after the Fuller Ridge section that going through that area has better prepared me for the Sierras though!
The next day, going from an elevation of about 8,500 ft down to I-10 in the Gobi Desert at around 2,000 ft was an adventure- switchbacking 15 miles down the mountain to the next water source (a water fountain) by about 2pm. We planned on going 23 miles to a windfarm, but got distracted by Jackalope and Eagle Eye's trail magic under I-10 - those grilled cheese sandwiches and watermelon really hit the spot!
We then proceeded to head back up the mountains(the San Gorgonios this time) to about 8,000ft. Thankfully, this part of the trail wasn't covered in snow in most parts, and had some beautiful views. I'm unable to post pictures here at Big Bear Lakes Hostel, so I'll have to post more next time I'm in town. There are a few fire closures coming up, so I'm sure the trail will look a lot differently than it has for the past week- I'm definitely looking forward to it though!

Mile 111-ish: Warner Springs, Ca

2010-05-02T17:07:00.000-07:00

Before the Head-shaving: Bones, Low and I

After

Everyone I started with on Friday

An over view of ADZLMPCTKO(kick-off)

It's been great so far getting back into the swing of hiking everyday, though my feet are taking a bit longer to get used to it than my mind. The first few days my knees were hurting so much on the downhills, I wasn't sure I'd be able to go on. Thankfully, that cleared up though they still ache a bit- it's amazing what stretching and Glucosamine will do. The best part of the trip so far other than the people is most definitely the views- so amazing. Since it's been such a wet spring, everything's green and blooming- one of the streams along the trail that's been dry for 5 years is running this year!
I'll be heading into the San Josentos mountains this week, which was impassable last week because of snow. There's (according to a person who walked through it Thurs) 'still enough snow to make it interesting'
Highest Mileage Day: about 23 miles
Lowest Mileage Day(other than zero Miles): 10 miles into Warner Springs
New friends: Guthook, Kerry, Ishmael, Furniture, Wolf Taffy, Seamus, Paladine, Annika, Burny, Chance, Cloudbuster, Not a Chance, The Croatian Sensation
Thanks for the Trail Magic: Wayne and the Julian Outfitter, Doug and Marilyn Streed, Louie, & Wally and Ginny Winkler, Hamburger Helper

Planning- 1 day prior

2010-04-22T10:27:00.000-07:00

my sister's freezer full of dehydrated meals
All my gear laid out on my bed
All my gear packed up!

I've planned, I've prepped, and soon the moment of truth is to be had.... We'll see how it goes! Also- for those of you who are curious- my base pack weight (without food and water) is around 15 lbs

Planning- About 1 month til starting the PCT

2010-03-24T09:03:00.000-07:00

So right now, at 1 month and counting down until my start date, I have about a million things I'm trying to figure out. So far, I've gotten a new camera (Olympus Stylus Tough 8000), a new long-sleeve light weight shirt to protect me from the desert sun, a one-way plane ticket to San Diego, a place to stay in SD (with some friends), a new backpack, I'm getting loaned a bear canister for the Sierras (thanks again for doing that program, Jim!), my thru-hiker permit, my passage into Canada permit, about a months worth of dehydrated meals.
I haven't yet gotten new poles (mine come apart at the wrong place), shoes for the trek, a sleeping bag(though I think it's on the way), a more complete resupply plan, a way to get to the trailhead at the mexico border (though I do have some leads on that), a puffy jacket (they're lighter and more stuff-able than fleece), and you can never have enough dehydrated meals!

It may look as though I have a lot done, but I am trying to get everything ready before I head into Denver on April 4th to begin a 14-day sleep study that I've qualified for. This study keeps me in a room for 14 days, feeds me, and lets me have 5 or 8 hours of sleep. They are studying the relationship between sleep deprivation and obesity/diabetes. They are also paying me $2500- this is obviously the main reason for me to do this sleep study- money for the trail!

I've already put my two-weeks notice in at the place I'm working now, so I'll be done with that March 31st, just in time to celebrate my sister's birthday! Now all I have to do in these next couple of weeks is try to not forget the small stuff- first aid stuff, socks, water purification, guidebooks, camera card/extra battery/wire, figuring out resupply points,etc. Oh, yea- does anyone have book/movie suggestions for me to check out for my sleep study?

Planning- about 2 months until the PCT

2010-02-24T11:14:00.000-08:00

Update- I got a pack! My friend who I hiked most of the AT with, CC, works at a gear shop in Ohio and got me a Osprey Talon 44. It's lighter than the Aura and has support, unlike ML designs packs. He's also going to send me a new sleeping bag, and I'm definitely looking forward to testing it out on my porch here.

A lot has been going on here in Colorado. I went snowshoeing for the first time- I highly recommend it! We did about 6 miles on Feb 14 near Bailey, what a way to spend a Sunday. Just remember to refuel along the way- I almost passed out because by the time I realized I was hungry, my clif bar was frozen. Ah, the early stages of hypothermia...
I've also been dehydrating a lot of food with my new dehydrator. It's been interesting- some items dehydrate so well (garbanzo beans), some not so well (larger chunks of foods) All will taste delicious on the trail, I'm sure.

Planning- 100 days until the PCT

2010-01-13T15:19:00.000-08:00

Well, here I sit on my sister's couch, trying with all my might to not let the excitement of an upcoming thru-hike get the better of me. I have not yet gotten a new backpack for this trip, though I am looking at the Mountain Laurel Designs' Exodus or the Osprey Aura 35. The question is: Frame or no frame?
Also, I just ordered a food dehydrator so I can start making/dehydrating my meals. I've heard from past PCT thru-hikers that food resupplies/availability is mostly gas stations and places in the middle of nowhere that feel they have the right to charge exorbitant prices for a candy bar. Also- I would like to eat more fruit and veggies than I did on my AT thru-hike.
That's all for now, don't forget to enjoy yourself!