I’m still alive. Send pizza.

The mountains between the Canadian border and Rainy Pass are the most incredible mountains I’ve ever been lucky enough to see. My feet hurt so badly for most of that section, but the views kept me going. I can’t believe this is only the beginning!

Before beginning this adventure, I worried that I’d miss lazy weekends of doing nothing. But this wake up, eat, pack camp, walk a lot, eat more, walk more, eat even more, set up a camp, eat more again, go to sleep, and do it again the next day routine is feeling pretty normal at this point. Although I wish my sore feet would stop being little assholes and settle into this routine as well as the rest of me has.

Also: file “the northern terminus of the PCT” under “places you don’t expect to run into someone you know”. On the third afternoon of our hike, Evan and I set up camp just south of the Northern Terminus. We hiked those last few miles, navigating our way around blowdowns and overgrown trail. There were a couple of other hikers on the trail who we kept leapfrogging with and said “hi” to in passing. Once we arrived at the terminus, we got a good look at the other two hikers who’d beat us there. One of them was my roommate in Oakland 5 years ago!!!

After having spent 8 days on trail, Evan and I are now in the North Cascades Lodge in Stehekin partaking in showers, laundry, and a dinner that won’t be cooked over a camp stove. Luxurious! Tomorrow we will head out for a 6 day stretch which will end in a much deserved rest day.

112 miles down, 2,570 to go.

Trail tips:

• Trucker hats make great blinders when you don’t want to see how much further uphill the trail goes.
• Mac n cheese sandwiches are delicious.
• Tent stakes double as mosquito bite scratchers.
• Never underestimate the value of dry pants.