Me 
An early morning start had me stumbling towards Wind Creek, 13 miles away, before 11am. It was here beside the big bridge I saw a bikini, the first I’ve seen in a loooong time. All I could manage was “morning” to the cute blonde as she looked up from her book. If I wasn’t shy enough before, five months in the woods certainly helped matters. It’s not as if I could hold a decent […]
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I’m in Washington, the final state of the PCT. According to the data book there are only 500.3 miles of trail once you cross The Bridge Of The Gods at Cascade Locks and that’s what I did this morning. Galen, Riddle’s unfeasibly tall brother, dropped me off on his way to Portland. After I crossed the bridge, taking photos and video during gaps in the traffic […]
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The Ballingers of Oregon, parents to Riddle and uncle/aunt to Stretch, have given me the run of their house today and I’ve used the rest day well I think. I posted off my tent after first checking I was indeed able to erect the one Blue Sky has lent me. Also gone is my bounce box and it’s probably a pound lighter than it was now that I am carrying my cold weather gear.
Along with a new tent I have new shoes and socks, even new (ish) trousers and shirts.
After […]
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How quickly things can go wrong and ruin a day. One false move and it’s all shot. I made three bad moves this morning.
Ah yes, the Pacific Northwest. I’ve heard of thee and now we meet.
At some horrible hour of the morning, when the light drizzle began to get heavier Monty and I both moved into the hanta-virus shelter. Strangely this prompted Monty to make a cup of coffee. I however was quite prepared to go back to sleep for a few hours.
At about 4:45am I woke to see two headlamps coming off the trail and searching for the spring I was camped near. If I had known who it was (and been dressed) I’d have snuck over in the darkness and surprised them. Probably just appearing on the log next to them when they sat down after filling their bottles. Instead I turned on my light and tried asking them if they needed help. I […]
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After yesterday’s stunning alpine-esque scenery today’s pancake walk was pretty dull. But I made good use of it and did my longest day yet at almost 34 miles. The Noodlesheads did even more and people coming southbound reported they were last seen 4 miles north, I expect they did at least 40.
The trail was in good condition and very flat but even so I’ve pounded my feet too much and had I continued I’d […]
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From today’s high point, a tough 2,700ft above last night’s camp, I could see Mount St. Helens in Washington. Also in view were Mount Adams, Mount Hood and behind us was Mount Jefferson.
The first thing we had to do was cross Milk Creek. The water itself was easy to get across but after a major washout last year the tricky bit is getting down to the […]
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I continue to wake many times during the night, and last night each time brought a different sky. The stars would be there in all their dazzling brilliance on one turn and then next they’d be obscured by rolling fog.
The rain has gone, for the moment anyway. Under cold blue skies I took down my soaking wet tent and filled my bottles from the freezing spring nearby. I set off quite late from camp to give my stuff a chance to dry. While pacing around I discovered we’d camped right beneath one of the Three Sisters. This section is one of the highlights of Oregon so I’m glad I got to see a […]
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