August 8, 2013
28 miles today
Mile 1877 on the PCT

Cars busying up the nearby highway prevented a sleep in. Thanked the rain gods for passing on night terror and considered my options for the day. Decided hiking would be best and set out. Still eight miles to water, but I had a half liter, so I left the water in the cache to others.

At six miles, rounded a corner to find Orbit smiling and looking upward. Two danger signs. The object of her affection: Mount Thielson, a 9162 foot peak. Thielson is craggy and sharp, with a pinnacle that looks like it was drawn by a Disney animator. To me it looked hairy. “It’s only about (another danger word) a mile up.” “Why not?” My unconsidered reply. Veggie and Slack appeared. “Yep.” “Yep.” I downed as much food as I could during their deep reply and we were up.

We started by walking, which flowed into slide shuffling as the pitch sharpened, which transitioned into four point simian movement as the scree turned nasty. Finally after an hour we reached the actual rock pinnacle and began climbing. Fairly technical and bordering on needing a rope, but with good holds, quite doable. The challenge was not letting the 100 foot fall become a thief who would steal your self-confidence. Past a tricky part and to a cozy crows nest summit. All were smiles at the world falling away around. And as always it was worth the effort. On top was a logbook. In it a young Jason wrote “I pooped myself on the rock part, but I’m happy I’m here.” Well covered, Jason.

Stormclouds gathered for their afternoon assault as we started down. I thought of Jason as I slowly made my way down the rockface. I made sure to hold tight in two ways. Then the fun scramble surf down to a fast lunch without water. Still trying to swallow when I hit icy Thielson Creek 2 miles later. Should I drink or should I delay gratification and treat. I’ll take parasites any day. They were delicious.

The thunder had started but didn’t seem overly enthusiastic. The day itself was getting on so I did also. It was 16 miles to the next water which was where I would camp. Sahara Oregon has been surprisingly dry so far so water has been determining night homes, Rather than mileage desires. Walked with Orbit for a while. An interesting conversation was interrupted by my observation of a blue peanut M&M on the trail. I turned around to dare her to eat it. But she was already chewing and smiling.

Walked through a hot pink sunset and arrived in Canada just as it’s last lingers bled away. Rudely, the mother of nature had placed the spring four tenths of a mile down the mountain slope. Perhaps I grumbled at cartographers as I hiked ever downward chasing a four tenths that forever raced ahead and down. The thought that each step needed a repeat danced poorly and miserably in my brain. But one must do what needs to be done. A quiet dinner and perhaps seven lines of war before the eyelids slammed shut.

Steve Halteman
On the Pacific Crest Trail
Hiking the PCT for the Kids of Escuela Verde

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