Monument 78, USA/CAN (Mile 2660)

It's been almost a week now since we've finished our thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail. Frequently, we get questions like "what's it like to be finished" and to be honest I don't think the whole experience has had time to set-in. What I can say is the experience was worth every joule of energy expended. It was nothing like hiking the Appalachian Trail with the exception that you have to hike most of the day. The trail angels and people we met along the way definitely have restored our faith in humanity and remind us there are still good people out there. We live in a country with astonishing natural beauty that needs to be protected and preserved for future generations. And it is indeed good to be getting exercise on a daily basis!

For many thru-hikers transitioning back into the real world can be a difficult process. There is this little insulative bubble around the trail corridor that fosters comradery, friendship, trust, and empowerment. We are lucky that we have another adventure to start-up and don't have to start looking for jobs and go back to the chaos of city life (although we will have to when we get back from South America). Our current agenda includes: getting our remaining vaccinations, completing some rough planning for where we would like to go, packing for visiting our families, considering climbing Aconcagua (the highest peak in the Americas), and tying up all the other loose ends.

I hope everyone has enjoyed my first attempt at maintaining a blog and we'll see you soon!

An organic sign that you'll only find in the hip PNW.

Christina, Peter and Kala (Crystal avalanche dog) came to join us!

Glacier Peak just starting to come into view. This stretch of trail is my favorite part of the whole trail.

Walking above tree line is the best. You have views for miles and miles (Sloan Peak is the snowy peak on the left).

I call these "Truffula Plants", because they look just like the Truffula trees from Dr. Seuss's The Lorax (still one of my favorite books).

A bee trying to get a little more pollen for honey making to help the colony survive over the cold winter.

In 2003 and 2006 enormous floods around Glacier Peak shut down roads, trails, etc.  for several years. Here is some of the remaining debris.  

Nature is amazing.

Fire Creek Pass, Glacier Peak Wilderness, WA.

The trail slowly wraps you around the west side of Glacier Peak and offers remarkable views. 

Looking north while Iceman and Pie try to pick out various peaks.

Pop, pop, pop....they just don't stop! 

The "Big Grove" had ginormous Douglas Fir, Stika Spruce, Western Hemlock, and some Western Red Cedar.  Prior to the area becoming a Wilderness Area, the Forest Service was going to extend the Suiattle River road so the trees could be logged.

Mossy Monster lurking on the trailside.

Morning light makes these two look alien.

The marking on this tree can be found along the PCT and are supposed to resemble a candle. The saying goes "may the candles light your way".

The storm from 10 years ago may have took out the human constructed bridge, but it built this all natural alternative.

Entering North Cascades National Park.

After making it to the ocean for 2-4 years, these Steelhead Salmon are returning to their home in the Stehekin River where they were born (easily several hundred miles upstream) to spawn. 

We've been dreaming of arriving at the Stehekin Bakery since Day 1 and it didn't disappoint!

There are only 3 ways to access the community of Stehekin. You can either take a ferry, float plane, or hike in. Stehekin is not connected by any roads (Lake Chelan in pictured on the left).

Local bus ride back to the trailhead.

Cutthroat Pass, WA. 

Golden Horn peak in the background and Tower Mountain front and center.

Hiked a little late this day, but we couldn't complain with the unbeatable scenery.

The colors were surreal.

Hiking towards Hart's Pass, which is the highest drivable pass in Washington at 6,182 ft.

Last night on the PCT!

Remember the big storm we went through back in Oregon? Well this is what happened in Washington during the same weather event. These washouts took a little longer to cross, but really demonstrated the power of Mother Nature.

One of the bigger ones. There were probably 6 that required you to drop-in and climb back out.

Success!

Iceman breaking into the monument to retrieve the logbook and sign us in. Also, you'll notice there is a clearcut running behind (and in front of) him which delineates the US/CAN boarder.  

Mexico to Canada! 

And still in love....

Stevens Pass, WA (Mile 2,476)

Yes, it feels good to be back in Washington and around familiar mountains! Our days are filled with trying to identify craggy peaks, reminiscing about our past climbing/skiing adventures, and planning our next mountaineering objectives. Being back in Washington has also meant we've been getting a lot of rain. And unusually we've been in the middle of some extreme thunderstorms. Nights have been filled with heavy rains, constant flashes of light (envision someone setting up a strobe-light outside of your tent), and the constant reverberation of lightning booms off granite slopes.  Cliff Mass, a local meteorologist, compiled some great data with rainfall totals (some areas had over 8 inches) and lightning strike locations (which he states there were "literally thousands of strikes throughout the Northwest"). We have managed to stay mostly dry and every morning we remark how well the tarpent is performing.

It's hard to believe we have just 10 days remaining until we will cross into Canada and have completed our 2,660 mile thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail. Feelings are mixed--on one hand we are ready for what's next, a long trip trekking/backpacking around South America, and on the other hand we love being on-trail. It's the simplicity of a thru-hike that really resonates with me. You wake up, hike, eat, hike some more, eat some more, and then set-up camp. Food, water, and shelter are your only true worries. No electronic devices to preoccupy your idle time, no media telling you the most recent political scandal,  no work stresses. To be honest, I can't think of any other environments that truly cultivate this type of "freedom".

With only 184 miles to go this will be our last on trail update. After we finish we will be travelling to Corvallis, OR to pick up our Corolla, then we'll be around Seattle, and on October 8th we start our travels to visit family in TX and NC. We hope to see you all during this time!!!

Also, Iceman was the "Featured Guide" in International Mountain Guides monthly newsletter. I thought I would link his blogpost here for those who haven't had an opportunity to read it.

Mount Hood in the background and its enormous moraines. Moraines form as glaciers push rock down the mountain and are only visible once the glacier has receded.

Tricky river crossing on the northwest side of Mount Hood. The water has a milky color, because it's flowing from glacier melt.

Excellent views of Washington volcanoes from northern Oregon (from the left Mount St. Helens, Mount Rainer, and Mount Hood).

Eagle Creek Tunnel Falls, OR

Yep, you walk behind the waterfall!

Bridge of the Gods and the first mile of Washington.

Our new hiking team (Cattywampus, Ler, Pie and Iceman).

The trees were enormous in Indian Heaven Wilderness. 

Can you identify these tracks? We were debating if they are cougar or bobcat...

It's huckleberry season on the trail! Yummy!

The tiniest frog on the trail!

Refreshed after our stop in Trout Lake, WA. "Marathon Mountain Momma" aka Jenni came and gave us a lift to town!

Just inside of Goat Rocks Wilderness and the first time the clouds lifted. Iceman=Happy

I went to pack up in the morning and this huge alien was on my bag. Pretty scary stuff. Anyone know what it is?

Still walking on snow.

Goat Rocks Wilderness is definitely a highlight of Washington. The trail drops of hundreds of feet on either side.

Absolutely stunning! Rainer is hiding in the clouds, but you can see her flanks with snow on them in the background.

The trail goes into Mount Rainer National Park for a few miles. This was the best view we got during that time. Iceman was happy to be hiking the PCT and not working ;)

We all met back-up at Chinook Pass after a great stay up at Crystal Mountain with our friend Zach. Ler had a knee injury and took some time off at White Pass.

Walking around Iceman's backcountry stomping grounds just southeast of Crystal Mountain.

The ski hill looks a lot different during the summer.

Labor Day Weekend Trail Magic pancakes at Government Meadows! What a great spot!!!

And there was more...Krispy Cream donuts and chocolate milk! Magic Man, the father of some of our hiking friends, had a booth set up and it was the 3rd time we've seen him during our journey! Thank you!!!

Mushroom madness!

Best campsite in Washington (Mount Rainer pictured in the background).

A whole family of mushrooms!

North of Snoqualmie Pass we had our second sighting of mountain goats of the day. We also saw tons of marmots, pikas, and a bald eagle!

Hiking on a beautiful traverse north of Snoqualmie Pass, WA.

I guess they call it the "Cascades" for a reason.

How many frogs can you count?

A beautiful day to be outside!

Hiking above the fog as we approach Stevens Pass.

Smiling above the clouds.

Mushrooms will grow on anything, in this case on the root of a tree.

Hiker Trash at Stevens Pass base area. Look at those turtle toes!!!

The clothes line was completely covered with our wet gear. Grateful to stay with the Snohomish Trail Angels!