MK&JD - Pacific Crest Trail Journal - 2011

View: 1  2  3  4  5 
(Click image for full size)


Da Bear

Breaking in...

We are in Etna staying at the wonderful Alderbrook Manor (hiker hut) resting some weary feet. The trail from Ashland to here has been enjoyable. Except for one stretch of semi-difficult snow in the Marble Wilderness at approx. mile 1621, the trail is in great shape; we were able to "ski" down, however NOBOs have to hike up or find another way around this obstacle. MK had her first (and hopefully not last) bear encounter in the woods. We had just taped some video and were in the process of reveiwing it when not more than 20 feet away we heard a loud crash. MK thought it was a deer taking off through the woods, but it sounded too loud to be a deer. As we turned the corner our suspicion was confirmed, there were fresh bear tracks in the snow. JD restrained himself from running after the bear to take pictures (as he has done in the past) and suggested that we get a better view as the trail wrapped around the side of the mountain. Sure enough there it was lazily strolling through the valley below. It was definitely larger than any bear we have seen in our travels. View pictures if you bear (dare)!!

JD had a laugh at MK's expense when she slipped and lost her footing and slid down a snowy section of trail. The fall was more comical than scary, however MK did not find it amusing, especially when JD starting taking pictures of her fall. For some reason when we were in WA and traversing much more difficult sections MK had no problem, but take her ice axe and microspikes away and all of a sudden she has two left feet :).

We almost forgot to mention, about 13 miles south of Seiad at the last footbridge (first for NOBOs) there is an awesome swimming hole that took up close to 2 hours of our day. The heat has finally kicked in NOCAL and any relief is greatly needed. Luckily some of the snow is still around, so if we can't find a swimming hole, snow cones will be our next option. We made them on the CDT with gatorade and boy... were they a tasty treat!

Our daily trail mileage has been about 20, which we didn't think would happen for a few weeks. Aside from some sore feet and general aches and pains, life is grand. Once we get our "trail legs" we think that our mileage should increase while still enjoying the trail.

The decision to skip down to OR and hike south was by far the best choice for us. Our once defeated outlook brought on by the conditions in WA has been drastically changed by the incredible trail conditions and good cheer of those we have met.

If you are reading our journal updates and wonder who the h??? is writing this, we have decided to write it together. It is a team effort and some form of third person works best.

Tune in next time, same trail time, same trail channel.....

Entry 5 of 20
First  :: Previous  :: Next  :: Last