September 13, 2022 Campsite at mile 2558.1 to Stehekin 14.8 miles It’s not as damp as I expect it to be when I wake up. It’s still cloudy, but I don’t think it rained last night. I hear Jumbo rummaging around and, although I’m not ready to actually move yet, I rouse myself enough to …
September 12, 2022 Mile 2538.5 to campsite at mile 2558.1 19.6 miles It’s raining when we wake this morning. Usually, the sun wakes us up naturally, but today, we have to motivate ourselves a little harder than usual. This is what Washington is supposed to feel like, I think: cool, misty, mysterious. Once we’re packed …
September 11, 2022 Mile 2519.7 to mile 2538.5 18.8 miles Jumbo is still quiet this morning, which means he’s still hurting just as much as he was last night. I understand the feeling. Even though we’ve been getting really decent nights of sleep recently, our bodies are just simply done. We slowly start moving. It’s …
Continue reading PCT Day 146: Blowdown City and the Marmot King
September 10, 2022 Reflection Pond at mile 2501.2 to mile 2519.7 18.5 miles Packing up this morning is not fun. The wind didn’t stop for a single second last night, and it’s still going now. I procrastinate as much as I can, but I eventually have to face reality and get out of my quilt. …
Continue reading PCT Day 145: I Would Like to Speak to the Manager of the PCT
September 9, 2022 Campsite at mile 2481.2 to Reflection Pond at mile 2501.2 20 miles It’s smoky when we wake up, even smokier than it was last night. We can barely make out the outlines of trees in the distance, and if there are other mountain ranges out there, we can’t see them. It’s just …
September 8, 2022 Leavenworth to Stevens Pass to campsite at mile 2481.2 16 miles I do not want to leave this amazing bed. No, no, no. I’m more tired than I’ve ever been. I hobble when I start moving. I am one with this mattress, these pillows. Movement? No thanks. But then it’s 6:50, and …
September 7, 2022 Mig Lake at mile 2457.7 to Leavenworth via Stevens Pass 7.5 miles Last night I fell asleep right at 9:00, and this morning I wake up at 5:00 on the dot. I lie there for a while, thinking about things, watching the stars blink out and the daylight switch on. It hits …
September 6, 2022 Campsite at mile 2438.8 to Mig Lake at mile 2457.7 19 miles I wake up grudgingly. I’m not looking forward to today after how painful yesterday was. I hear Jumbo moving around but ignore it for as long as I can until the peer pressure incites me to start moving. Ugh. I’m …
September 5, 2022 Campsite at mile 2418.7 to campsite at mile 2438.8 20.1 miles “Are you getting up?” “I mean, yeah. I have to pee.” Jumbo makes his eyebrows do that thing that’s simultaneously sad and entreating and endearing. I sigh. “Yes, I’ll get your food bag.” “YAYE!” I’m pretty sure he’s learned this pronunciation, …
Continue reading PCT Day 140: Everything Hurts And I’m Dying
September 4, 2022 Campsite at mile 2397.8 to campsite at mile 2418.7 21 miles This morning is beautiful, but I’m not thrilled about finishing this climb. Jumbo and I pack up lethargically and then start moving slowly up the slope like two old, broken-down machines. We warm up around the time we see Tribute chilling …
Passport Somewhere 