Hikerfaceplant - Pacific Crest Trail Journal - 2015

Day 73.

End of the journey. After another miserable night of mosquitoes have got
off trail.

Have looked in the guidebook and EVERY map for the remaining 10 weeks shows
forest on it. The vast majority is National Forest meaning it has less tree
felling - or to my mind is denser, so will be more oppressive and will have
more horrible insects.
The book says you will be going through an area of big volcanoes to
Oregon...."but you can't see them because you are hidden in the trees". The
book also notes the mosquitoes of Oregon (coming up shortly) have a
fearsome reputation.
So no prospect of any improvement in the insect/forest situation for the
foreseeable future.

Have tried my best. I lasted a week in the forest but have concluded I
can't do another 10 weeks of being chewed by the insect life.

Can come up with excuses of injuries (I do have some), but the reality is I
just couldn't cope with the insects.

Overall got halfway (1300 miles) in 72 days, through the desert and high
mountains. An average of 18 miles a day, with a pack weighing between 30lbs
and 60lbs.
The terrain was getting easier, so 20+ mile days were becoming the norm.
Physically I think I was on top (having lost 30lbs in those 72 days).
But I failed to cope with the forest and specifically the horrendous
insects which give no respite. And there is no hope of any improvement over
several weeks.

Thanks to all who sent messages of encouragement. Sorry I wasn't up to
completing the task.

Entry 35 of 35
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