PCT Day 68-76 Part 2

Part 2

It's Dad!! After many flight issues and post office issues, my dad was finally able to join me on trail. He joined me at Echo Lake near South Lake Tahoe and we hiked 30 miles up to Barker pass, finishing at Tahoe city. Not only was I able to spend time with my father hiking, but he happened to be here on my birthday so that made it even more special.

Being able to share my life for the past 2.5 months with my father was one of my favorite experiences on trail. When I was growing up my dad got me involved in Cub Scouts and later Boy Scouts. We went on many camping trips together. I experienced my first 8 day long distance backpacking trip with him in New Mexico.

This is when it all started for me. Being able to look back to that first backpacking trip makes me realize just how much he was involved in starting me on the path to eventually hike the PCT.

The section that we hiked was absolutely perfect. Blue skies every day. Not TOO many mosquitoes. And no bears. The first day we were able to cowboy camp under the stars at Aloha lake. The sunset we had was stunning.

Day 2 was filled with a proper mountain pass and my dad crushed it! I was even breathing heavy trying to keep up with him. We were rewarded with a refreshing dip in an alpine lake.

On day 3 we finally arrived to Barker Pass. We got a ride from the trailhead to the highway and then needed to get a hitch to Tahoe City. Within 5 minutes we were in a car and my dad was experiencing his first hitch!

While in town we did all the things thru-hikers do on their zero days. We went to the laundry-mat, had some cold drinks, ate A LOT and relaxed. It was great being right on Lake Tahoe and having a view of the water and the mountains. We were even lucky enough to catch some live bluegrass while we were in town.

With all the fun we had it definitely made getting back on trail the hardest yet, but I knew that once I was hiking again I would enjoy many more experiences that I would be able to share with him after I finished the trail. Till next time!

-Pickle