PCT Day 77-84

Detour, Shaggy, Tallboy, and I

After slowing down for a few days to hike with my father, I entered a whole new bubble of people on the PCT. On the PCT there are various groups of people that seem to always be within a week of each other. For the first 2 months of the trail I was constantly seeing the same people but that all changed after Tahoe. I was meeting tons of new people and made new friends. Pictured above are two new friends I made as well as Tallboy, who I started with from Mexico. Everyone here is very like minded meaning it is very hard to meet someone that you don't get along with.

After 80 days on trail the sunset still amazes me every time. The ritual of arriving to camp, setting up my tent and sleeping bag, collapsing and making dinner in front of a beautiful never gets old and I can't imagine going back to everyday life.

I hit 1,200 miles and it feels like each 100 miles go by faster than the previous. Time out here is both irrelevant and mysterious. Some days fly by and others drag on. We only keep track of the days of the week so we know when the post office is open.

One of the things I get asked alot by friends and family is where do I get water. The 3 main sources are springs, lakes, and streams. In the desert there were also water caches supplied as well by local trail angels. Since leaving the desert however, water has been plentiful. I have a small filter attached to a small water bladder. I fill it up and squeeze it straight into my water bottles or just drink from it!

Only 500 more miles until Oregon! However, to get there we must pass through the burn sections. While they will be exposed and hot, I have chosen to hike through since I think it is important to see the new reality we are living in. Stay tuned to see devastation...

-Pickle