September 3, 2013 28 miles mile 2660+8
Awoke at the end of a half century. Tried to come up with some deep thoughts but my constitution interfered. Rolled out and headed for Woody Pass online apotheke kamagra kaufen. Steadily up and then a sharp drop through the crumblings of overhead peaks. Switchbacks and then a long traverse to Woody Pass. Here were the landslides that had been warned of the previous 30 miles. “Stock not to pass. Hikers use extreme caution. 15 mile alternate trail available.” As is often the case they were anticlimactic. Some nimble maneuvering and they were part of history.
Can’t get enough of these inversions
Cloud sneak
Didn’t break stride heading up Woody Pass.
Moving up toward Woody Pass
The traverse to Woody Pass
Took a break at the top and let the view soak into my pores. Also continued my food weight reduction plan. Then on to a 7,000 foot summit nicknamed playfully “The Summit.” Worked the camera and was off just as Orbit showed. Last chance to hike together. All downhill to the border. In high spirits, as we were both ready to be done. But more than that, a plan hatched long ago was about to be realized. Credit to Orbit for that.
Border marker
Canadian border security
Ran into a number of northbounders bouncing back to Hart’s Pass after touching the border. For whatever reason not heading on to Canada. No envy there. The last miles slowed. Whenever you really want something it tends to walk away. And then it was there. You knew it from the voices. A group of through hikers was already gathered. Fellows of ours, but also strangers. A beer was put in my hand. I smiled and tried to make a celebration out of an anti-climax. I sat back and started eating as usual. Three wood posts, a metal marker and a straight borderline sliced through the forest marked the end.
Birthday boy
Campo’s distant twin
Orbit arrived. We high-fived and hugged. The crowd filtered off. We sat alone trying to figure it all out. This was a random point in a forest. Not a fitting climax like the big Mount Katahdin climb at the end of the AT. Finally we came to this. The PCT had given all she had to give. Incredible beauty 90% of the way. She had nothing left. She was worn out at the end like us. And that made it all alright. Orbit crossed into Canada for the 8 miles to the trailhead in Manning Park. I hung back and performed some private abdulations as I had promised. Then I stepped into Canada. Officially a through hiker. Yeah baby once again.
Follow the border
Ultralight
The last eight miles into Canada were utterly forgettable. Comparable to going for a jog after an ultra marathon. The trail was plain. The clouds broke and dumped. I was done, but Canada had some instruction about done. Definitely the worst part of the entire PCT. I stumbled on, for crappy miles still must be hiked, regardless of motivation. Finally left the trail and went into my head. Into the joy of having just walked 2,660 miles. The eight ground by.
Orbit on the Summit
Caught up with a staggering Orbit right at the end. “That was horrible,” her only comment. Another mile on the carless road. Mecca. The lodge. Two women coming the opposite direction. “You hiker trash just finish the PCT?” “Yep.” “Here take our beers, you need them more than we do.” Welcome to Canada. Checked into the lodge for rehab. Took care of details. Dreams shattered with a broken hot tub. Okay, then dinner. “Sorry we’re closed.” ” My friend, I’m 50 today and we just walked from Mexico.” “For that we reopen the kitchen and free beers.”
Birthday dinner on Orbit. Carry out to the room. Dinner on beds, mesmerized by a horrible Tom Hanks movie. Storytelling already out of fashion. Then to bed with thoughts. What will the second half-century be like? Two things for sure. It will involve a certain CDT and another known as the AT.
Steve Halteman
On the Pacific Crest Trail
Hiking the PCT for the Kids of Escuela Verde
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