Day 140, My Only Friend, The End...

Part 5, Washington, Day 140

My Only Friend, The End...

Miles: 0

Total Miles: 2390.6

I'm off trail and my hike is over.

Sorry to keep you all hanging, but it's hard to end this blog in such a way; this blog, along with all of you reading it, has been my companion for the last 5 months, and it's tough to say goodbye. It's been very difficult being off trail. I'm writing this last entry while hiking on a trail back home. I'll write a bit then move on and write some more.

Why did I end my hike with only 250 miles until Canada? I still don't really know. If you followed this blog, you'll know a few reasons, but for the most part, I was done hiking. I was mentally over it. My decision to finish at Snoqualmie Pass was probably too hasty and emotionally dictated, but here I am. I keep telling myself that what's important is the journey, not the destination. I still feel a bit empty. I just miss the trail. 

Hiking 2,400 miles this summer on the PCT was one of the best and hardest things I've ever done, yet it was so simple. Wake up each day and walk North. I've never experienced so much beauty before. The hardships I experienced, and overcoming them, was the most beautiful experience of all. 

I really don't see this is the end of anything though. This is only the start of a brand new day. 

I had the time of my life this summer and I'll never forget it. We should all be comforted by the fact the real adventure still exists in this day and age. If you choose to take the first step, you'll find that you're capable of things you never thought possible. 

I'd like to thank each and every one of you readers who went with me on this adventure. I was never truly alone thanks to your interest and comments. Stay tuned for gear reviews and a review of the whole hike. Until my next long distance hike (Continental Divide Trail?) later gators!

We certainly do live in a beautiful world...

Days 138-139, This will destroy you

Part 5, Washington, Days 138-139

This will destroy you

Miles: 0

Total Miles: 2390.6

It hasn't stopped raining on 4 days and it won't stop for another 5 days. There are several other hikers holed up here at the Summit Inn, and many others have bailed to Seattle to try and wait out the storms. Others have decided to finish some other year. This was a record rainfall for late August on WA, and the wind and low temps create a hypothermia danger for hikers. The forecast calls for sub 40 degree temps and snow above 5,000 feet. My next section has 19,000 feet of elevation gain and I frequently hover above 6,000 feet. I'm dreading this hike to say the least. I'm not even sure why I'm going out. I'll be hiking out tomorrow. 

I've been relaxing in my room organizing my gear and food. I have few pictures since it's pouring outside. There's only a small gas station market to resupply from, so I got some food: 

The lobby is a popular hang out for hikers, anxiously gossiping about the storm. 

I got a calzone from the pizza place yesterday, and it filled me up for the day! This pizza place is one of the best spots on the trail. 

The next day I did the same routine. I hung out at the pizza place with Shepherd and Crunchmaster. There is a general air of uncertainty amongst the hikers here. 

There's not much to do around here but eat food. I visited the Ardvark Food Truck; a popular hiker spot.

They gave me a free beer and the burger was tasty. It had cream cheese, bacon, and a fried egg on it. 

Some hikers were avoiding the rain under the tents here. 

I spent the rest of the night chatting with Crumchmaster and Liability. It won't stop raining. I don't mind hiking in the rain, but camping is a different story. My tent door is broken and water splashes inside. The ground here is saturated with water and flooded, so the nights will be wet. With very cold temps and wind, this weather is dangerous. 

I guess we'll see what happens. I'll try my best to take pics in the rain and get some good blog posts up. Until next time, friends! 

Update 8/31

The weather is horrible here. It's been raining non stop and the ground is flooded. It's supposed to rain for the next week and the temps are dropping tomorrow to freezing levels above 5,000 feet. Many hikers here have bailed and are waiting for another time to hike.

I'm not sure what I'm going to. I'll wait another day here in Snoqualmie Pass and see what happens. I have little interest in hiking in this weather. I can't see any point to doing so. The mountains are invisible outside in the thick fog. Between the weather and the fires, which, unfortunately, don't seem to be affected by this storm, I may have to be content with hiking about 2,400 miles. 

I'll update again tomorrow. 

Day 137, All We Want

Part 5, Washington, Day 137

All We Want

Miles: 9.6

Total Miles: 2390.6

***days 133-137 are up. To continue where I left off, go to day 133.

Things got pretty dicey last night and I barely slept. There was a steady rain and wind, and I was so tired when I set up my tent last night that I set up in a low spot. The rain water pooled under my tent and started to soak through the floor. It was a wet night. I was up at 5am and started packing up. I hiked out around 6am.

The sky was dark this morning, and I could feel a storm brewing. The forest was so dark that it felt like nighttime. I was in all of my rain gear. 

Luckily for me, I only had to hike 9 miles into Snoqualmie Pass where I'm taking a much needed zero. My head was aching so bad from fatigue and no sleep that I had to take some ibuprofen. 

I took a few pics while it was still lightly raining, but I had to put the camera away for a bit when the sky opened up and started pouring rain. 

The trail flooded after 30 minutes of heavy rain. I just kept moving to stay warm. Myself and all my gear was completely soaked. I put my sleeping bag and sleeping clothes into dry sacks, so I can always keep those crucial items dry. My rain gear did keep me warm though, as long as I kept moving.

I shuddered to think how it would be if I were days away from civilization in this weather, since it's supposed to rain for 5 days. Sustained and pouring rain with wind can be scary out here. 

Here's me soaked through. 

I met a guy who was unloading wood onto a dirt road. He warned me that 50 mph winds were coming. It's almost unbelievable how unlucky the weather has been lately. If it's not fires and smoke, it's thunderstorms and rain. Nature is punishing PCT hikers this year. Maybe it's revenge for allowing "Wild" to be published. 

I have no idea why this sign is here.

Here's nature devouring a trail sign:

I could see Interstate 90 below me. For a busy freeway, it looked like a pretty nice road. 

The rain would stop and start up again every few minutes. This is some tropical front that's battering lower Washington and upper Oregon. Unfortunately, it's barely affecting the fires up north. 

I climbed up the mountain and saw ski lifts.

Then I saw my destination. It was like seeing a mirage. Finally, a place to rest up and dry out.

The area was stunning.

I followed the road and came to the Chevron. There's only a few businesses here, but there's enough for hikers. I picked up my resupply box from Chevron, then went to the inn.

The Summit Inn is perfect. There's even a diner attached to it.

The food is like Denny's, I imagine, but a step below.

I finally found out where the hikers are. They're here at the Summit Inn hiding from the rain. Some have already stayed here too long and have to head out into the rain. I went next door to a small market and ate pizza with Bumble and Bonus Miles:

I'm back in my room and I plan to rest and do nothing all day. Stay tuned for a post about me zeroing and possibly double zeroing to wait out the rain as long as I can. I'm also waiting for news about the fires. Until then, later gators!