PCT Day 154, Mile 2515 to 2541

· by · in PCT. ·

Day 154

Mile 2515 to 2541, 26 miles

  • Miles to monument: 109
  • Miles to Manning Park, Canada: 118

Cost: Camped, free

Up 6943 feet. Down 9411 feet. 

Elkwalker was up early and gone by 6am. It was still dark, cold and windy so I didn’t make it out until 8am. The sky was grey and gloomy but I left my pack rain cover off hoping it wouldn’t rain. 

I had 1.5 miles up, 5 miles down, 6 miles up, 9 miles down… Then another long ascent. 

The first climb was cool and windy and provided views of glaciers and the beautiful Mica lake. I would’ve loved to have camped at the lake last night but I’m so glad I didn’t hike in the dark to get here! Then down and across streams, over, under and around fallen down logs, steep detours around landslides, then a nice little 2600 foot climb doing the same thing but with overgrown bushes slapping me in the face and providing lots of opportunities to trip on tree routes that I couldn’t see because I couldn’t see my feet through the bushes. Beautiful scenery but it was tough going. 

   
    
  

Mica lake

  
    
    
   
 

Slide down here instead

  
    
    
    
    
    

Filtering water, brrrr!

  

Cheese, salami and crackers tortilla

  
    

Oh switchbacks how I won’t miss you!

 
I had lunch on top by a stream but couldn’t stay long because the wind was chilling me to the bone. Again the views were stunning. The 9 miles of down really tried to break me and I had a few angry and frustrated moments. I kept tripping on tree routes (in the overgrown bushy areas), I had to climb over, under and around heaps more huge fallen down trees and I’m so thankful to have survived each one as it definitely could’ve ended with broken limbs and then I finally did fall on loose rock and before I knew  it, I came crashing down on my right side, once again landing on my phone but this time also my right arm and leg… Ouch! I had to sit for a minute and make sure no limbs were bent or crooked, then I got up, brushed myself down and cursed even more at myself for falling down. Today was starting to suck really bad. 

   

Crawling under a tree

   
The last 2 miles of this descent the ground levelled out, the trail became wider and obstacle-free and I had to check if I was still on the PCT. I was, but this was obviously a very well used trail and then I looked around and realised I was walking through an ancient tree grove with the biggest trees I’ve ever seen (the 2 miles before the trail crosses the Suiattle river on the lovely long bridge). 

                
So the trail was heaven to walk along the last 2 miles before the bridge and until my campsite here, 2.6 miles after the bridge… I wonder if it will be like this all the way to Stehekin now? 🙂

I found a campsite around 7:20pm and there was one other tent set up with someone in it. There was a fire ring which I carried my food over to and when I started to cook dinner, the man from the tent came out and introduced himself as Icy Hot, he’s walked about half of the trail this year in different sections. We chatted while I ate and it was again lovely to have the company at camp. 

Today got me thinking about the last 5 months on the PCT. Even though I came alone and was generally walking “alone,” I’ve been with a group of people almost all the way. In the desert I only camped alone a couple of times and it was usually impossible to camp alone because there were so many people. In the Sierras I became a group of 7 and even if we didn’t hike together during the day, we knew where we were camping at the end of each day to meet up. And then I hiked with KC for just over 900 miles. I guess I came here to see if I could get over my fear of everything and maybe I haven’t because I’ve always had a support group around me… Maybe this is why I have to do this last (ridiculously hard and dangerous) part by myself?? … Maybe I will realise that I’m strong enough, or maybe the opposite will happen and it will send me over the edge and straight to the loony bin… All I know right now is that if I survive to Stehekin I’m going straight to a bar and celebrating life with a glass of champagne (or beer, whatever they have), because Stevens Pass to Stehekin has been the toughest section of the entire PCT for me and I’ve done it alone. 

21 responses to “PCT Day 154, Mile 2515 to 2541”

  1. Following your journey every day for months now has been a great inspiration. You are awesome! You have almost come to the end of the journey and I imagine you will have similar feelings as when you finished at temple 88 in Shikoku. It is the journey and not the destination and what a journey you have had! Peace.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. I’ve been following your blog for years now. But Kat, this is absolutely fabulous! You are such an inspiration to me. I found your blog when I had decided to walk the Camino Francés in 2012 and have followed and read every entry of yours since then.
    I am currently walking the AZT as a section hiker with a friend, it will probably take us years to complete as she does not have the luxury of thru hiking and I’m scared to go it alone.
    Kat, I raise a glass to you and your courage every evening – Cheers to you!
    Arlène

    Liked by 2 people

  10. You will do this!! 99% of success in life is just showing up everyday,facing your fears and walking through them. When in doubt, don’t look at the mud, take a moment and look up, the view is always amazing as I think you are!!

    Liked by 1 person

  11. What an amazing day full of beauty and opportunities to prove to yourself that you CAN do it. That’s probably why you find yourself alone. It’s time you need to contemplate your journey. You have also inspired me. Bravo.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. As ever your photos hit the spot! Those autumn colours are magical. H tells me you arrived safe and sound at the end of the trail:-) An amazing feat. Hope you are not too battered and bruised. Hoping you are making the most of sleeping in a comfy bed! Jx

    Like

  13. Wow, this day sounds super tough. I really hope to do the PCT some day, but everything I read about Washington sounds super tough so far. I guess by this point in the trail, the PCT hiker IS super tough. Kudos to you for conquering your fears. Stay safe!

    Like

Comments or questions? Go for it!