SEIAD VALLEY, Calif. — After seven summers on the Pacific Crest Trail, nothing surprises me anymore. An Israeli couple — trail-named Bugs and Bunny — hiking with speakers atop their backpacks, listening to rock music? Check. Yours truly, deep in … Continued
As a Pacific Crest Trail section hiker, I don’t deserve — nor would I want — to wash the sweat-soaked socks of the “thru hikers” who go 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada each year. They’re major leaguers; I’m the … Continued
To begin an interview with me on Eugene’s KLCC recently, host Eric Alan referred to the “book tour” I was, uh, launching. I mentally chuckled. Some listeners, I supposed, must have imagined me jet-setting from Boston to New York to … Continued
On August 20, 1905, Oregon wilderness wanderer John Waldo wrote a journal entry from the east slope of Mount Jefferson. In it, he quoted one of his two favorite authors, Ralph Waldo Emerson (the other being Thoreau): “In the woods, … Continued
After 26 days, 450-plus miles, snow, fire and far too much gorp, I reached the “Entering Washington” sign on the Bridge of the Gods at Cascade Locks this afternoon to complete backpacking the Oregon portion of the Pacific Crest Trail. … Continued
Monday Much has happened since Sunday morning’s report. First, having been told by the forest service that the Dollar Lake Fire had closed the Pacific Crest Trail and that a USFS and PCTA-approved alternative route would be at least a … Continued
Headlamps on, just a hint of pink to the east lightening an otherwise black sky, Glenn and I had just gotten on the PCT trail at a trip-record 5:31 a.m. Sunday when it happened. Glenn led us by a PCT … Continued
Sat blog Arrived, after a windy 2,500-foot climb punctuated with a sand storm, at Timberline Lodge at 10 a.m. Saturday. After six straight 20-plus mile days, brother-in-law Glenn Petersen and I are rewarding ourselves with rest, football on TV and … Continued
Finally got cell connection after two days without, so here are shots From last three days. The one of me in front of the wood stove at The Ollalie Lake store suggests we had a little change in the weather.
Friday Pct It’s 4:20 pm Friday and Mount Hood is stretched out in front of me like a well-melted ice cream cone that beckons a few licks. After 22 days on the trail — seven in our final phase — … Continued