Me 2007-08-14 Great Scott!
August 14th, 2007Just before hitting the PCT’s highest point in Oregon and Washington I saw a guy walking towards me. In short shorts, a casual t-shirt and with a pack so small I couldn’t see it behind him I assumed he was a day hiker. As he got closer I recognised the tall lanky fellow as none other than Scott Williamson, the only guy ever to yo-yo the PCT (Mexico-Canada-Mexico in one year). He stopped and talked for a little while and I took a photo so I can document someone crazier than me 
See Hiker Completes First Round-Trip of Pacific Crest Trail
The high point was an easy stroll compared to California’s 13,500ft Forester Pass but at 7,500ft there is still plenty of room for undulation between here and the border. Not much later I finally caught Angelhair and Rigatoni, last seen in South Lake Tahoe some 700+ miles ago. I was glad for the company and walked and talked with them for most of the day. I really wish I’d done the same with BlueSky, maybe she’d have stayed longer. They were both sporting the super-light hiking poles from Gossamer Gear. I had a go for a while and it felt like I was just swinging my arms, switching back to mine and I was lifting weights! It’s too late in the game to be worth $110 though.
At lunch I took another stab at making instant pudding, this time with fresh spring water and more milk powder. It worked wonderfully and I ate the lot.
Scott, Angelhair and Rigatoni do not treat or filter their water. I’d like to be that carefree and save the weight of the equipment, but two of those three have gotten sick and I don’t want a week off puking my guts out.
We parted ways at Windigo Pass. The Noodleheads taking the alternate route that is 7 miles shorter, flatter and passes more lakes. I’d like to have done so too but since I’m logging the trail I feel I need to be on the official path as much as I can.
Quotes of the day:
“You know you’re a thru-hiker when someone writes “wash me” in the dirt on your legs” ~Angelhair
“I’ve got a king-sized Snickers in the queue” ~Rigatoni (actually talking about snacks, I thought he was meaning something else)
More photos of this day’s journey can be found at Mt Thielsen to Bend
Distance today: 27.1 miles. Total distance: 1886.5 miles
August 18th, 2007 at 7:42 pm
I see why you’re enjoying the ridge-top campsites. Our earth is a wonder.
August 19th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
If being annoyed at heavy poles isnt motivation enough, you should calculate how many extra calories of energy you have to burn by lifting your poles, work out how much more food you’ll need to eat to provide that extra energy, put a dollar value on it and subtract that from the price of the poles
August 24th, 2007 at 12:49 am
Go craig you’re so far and the sights must be great
and it must be slightly scary to be so high