There and Back Again...

"A man becomes a man when he reaches the ends of his means and manages to still live afterwards"

-Alex Hansen, a good friend

Folks, I'm Done. I'm back in Albuquerque, dry and warm.

I reached the Canadian border and northern terminus on the 28th of September, cold wet, exhausted and happy.

It was hard to find motivation to get back on the trail at Snoqualmie Pass, but after a couple days off and what looked to be a break in the weather Train and I hit the trail, ready to make one big final push to the end. The first day held no rain , but the clouds were heavy and dark. Each day in this section required us to gain 3,000 feet, lose it... regain it again and then lose it, making it the most notorious climbing on the entire trail. But what a spectacular landscape, nothing in my book quite compares to the Cascades. People ask me 'how was washington' and i simply put i tell them its 'best of times and the worst of times'... because just when the magic of the landscape can take you no higher, the precipitation starts... and it becomes a struggle not only to continue hiking but to keep yourself alive.

Its hard to really describe the following days because it was mostly keeping my head down and just banging out the miles to stay in motion and somewhat warm. As I described in the last blog entry the rain doesnt stop and eventually everything gets wet and all my awesome expensive gear basically loses all functionality and I basically become walking sack of wet laundry. When hypothermia begins to set in, thats when things get bad. On several occasions I lost function of my fingers and became very disoriented and Train said several times i wasnt saying things that made sense... but I could say the same for him. When things always seems to be in the worst possible place, the sun would come out for a few minutes an the rain would let up a bit.

One of the benefits of the cold rain is the non-stop moving and no breaks, knocking out alot of miles became easier and in the town of Skykohmish we were able to finally catch Trains original party, the MeGaTex at Rainy Pass, 60 miles before the border. It was one of the happiest moments on the trail because Axilla's father had 'trail magic' set up for them there at highway 20 so when we rolled up they had beer and pizza and all sorts of good food, and a car blasting Outkast, it was sort of the last celebration party before the end of the trail. We had a blast and it was pretty fun rolling 11 people deep to the border, it was by far the most people I've ever hiked with.

MeGaTex is a core of three guys who hiked the Appalachian Trail together in '08. Uncle Tom from Maine (ME), General Lee from Georgia (GA) and formally Richard Wizzard from Texas (TEX)... add it up MeGaTex. On this PCT adventure they added Train, Axilla, Duff, Wizz's younger brother The Mayor, Genius and more recently Pony and Bear who i've met several times. And the next few days to the finish were like summer camp with all these characters to hike around and with. The first day coming out of Rainy Pass was bright and sunny and awesome. I hiked mostly with D-Wizz and we had the most trail conversation that i've had since Brandon left. It was awesome. A unique aspect about the last bit of trail is that it bounces from pacific NW rainy forrest to dry desert mountains as we weaved in and out of the rain shadow that creates the deserts of eastern washington.

To keep it short, it rained off and on the last 3 days to the border and we all crossed within about and hour of each other. But unfortunately, thats not where Train, The Mayor and My journey ended. Since we didnt have our passports in order (Mine was Stolen in Prague in 06) we all had to hike back 35 miles on the trail to a forest service road where had arranged a pick up from Genius (the Mayor's girlfriend he met on the trail 4 months ago back in Agua Dulce). We said our goodbyes to the whole crew but the day we left the border coming back ended up being the worst day of wind and rain we had in the entire state, but somehow knowing it was the last day it didnt seem so bad. On the way back we passed several old friends making their way to the border including Fuzzy Monkey. Everybody had big smiles on their faces knowing they were so close. We made camp 6 miles before the road, and the next day there wasnt a cloud in the sky and it was the clearest day we had since 3 weeks before in Goat Rocks. What a day to end the trail.

The trip back to Seattle didnt go as planned, as Genius's car broke down along the service road before she got to us and long story short Train and I ended up riding in the back of an contractors work van for 3 hours from the tiny mountain town of Mazama all the way to just outside of the greater Seattle area, where Trains mom picked us up... Genius and the Mayor got a ride in the tow truck. I had a great weekend hangin out and partying it up with some friends from the trail and then my boys Luke and Clint from my Seattle days. Then I flew back and I'm here now. Alive and Happy.

In the next couple days after I have processed things, I'll write a "so long" blog entry and i guess explain what the adventure has meant to me and what i've learned about myself and life, maybe write something meaningful. who knows.

Ups and Downs and Up&Downs

First I would like to apologize for taking nearly a month to update the blog. Computers have been few and far between and its hard to find the motivation to do anything other than eat and pass out at the end of a long day so I havnt really written anything down.

I'm currently at Snoqualmie Pass at I-90, mile 2401. These are my old stomping grounds as we're just 45 minutes up the road from Seattle. Since I gloated and bragged about my speed and total domintion of the Oregon PCT, the trail quickly flipped on me and let me know who is in charge...

Upon returning from the "break" weekend in Portland and Casacde Locks, the pacific NW rains began to set in. And made for by far the most miserable week (to that point) of the trail. Miles of snow feilds and blistering desert heat dont compare to constant rain. Eventually everything gets wet, everything. The worst part was that we missed some of the best scenery OR and the trail had to offer; Three Sisters, Mt Washington, 3 Finger Jack, and Mt Jefferson. We basically had to keep our heads down and power through the 20 feet of visibilty for over a 100 miles.

Our luck did began to change when we arrived to Cascade Locks (this time hiking in) and spent a couple days drying out and hangin out with Brandon. The Eagle Creek trail coming into the town was one the coolest parts of the trail. You basically follow the creek down a gorge to the border. The trail offers plenty of waterfalls and bridges but the jewel of the trail is Tunnel Falls where the trail actually goes through a blasted tunnel behind the 150 foot falls.

After crossing the Bridge of the Gods into Washington a group of about 14 thru-hikers and I decided to take the "alternate" route through the towns of Stevnson and Carson, which saves about 15 miles and basically becomes the unofficial PCT Pub Crawl... long story short we raged it pretty hard in all 3 cities and celebrated properly for making to WA.

Our first week in Washington was easily the most scenic and rewarding week on the trail. I've been hiking steadily with Train and his childhood friend "Croation Sensation" and his girlfriend "Not a Chance" (both have thru-hiked the PCT before) and the one and only "AssFace". We all have a lot of fun together and its made for a very uplifting week. Hiking around the lower slopes of Mt Adams was incredible. Nothing so far has compared to the Goat Rocks Wilderness though. Its been awhile since we've been in high alpine country. But the vistas from the tops the Goat Rocks of Rainier, St Helens and Adams were in my opinion the best views of the entire trail. This wilderness also includeda couple glacier crossings and a 2 mile section called the "Knifes Edge" where the trail strattles a ridge that has shear drop-offs of 1000 feet down each side.

But once again the trail does what it wants, and while we got an extremly rare clear and sunny week in southern washington (most hikers rarely get to see the 3 stratovolcanoes from Goat Rocks) the gloom and doom of the NW rain came back with a fury and the 4 days of hiking since leaving White Pass have been extremly difficult and depressing to be honest. The rain here has been colder and harder than the Oregon section. And walking through the over-grown vegitation is like walking through a human car wash. My feet are taking a beating, Train has developed Trench Foot and mine arent doing much better. Even with proper rain gear (which i now have, I didnt in Oregon) everything gets soaked through eventually; my clothes, tent (inside and out) and my sleeping bag. Its been easily the most miserable week of my life. And every morning i wake up cold and wet, this trail tests my resolve to the fullest. Its hard to find motivation to keep going. We've taking a few days to dry things out and watch some football, but going forward continues to a difficult task.

I'm in limbo and need some sun. Fingers crossed that this weather breaks and I can continue a bit more happily. However the weather forcast looks liek rain the rest of the way. Just 10 days of hiking left and i've purchased my ticket back to Albuquerque for tuesday the 5th so there is a definitive end in sight. I just dont want to hit the finish line miserable and unhappy with the trail. Got to get back at it, this next section is one of the most difficult sections as far as climbing goes. We'll see.

Fording the River, the Oxen drowned, Brandon got Tuberulosis

Camping at Cascade Locks, you literally stare into Washington, separated only by this tiny little river known as the Columbia River. You know, the last river you have to ford in Oregon Trail to win the game. Oh you don't? You must've had a broken axle or ran out of food already.

Flying out to meet up with Caleb and Train, I realized this was going to be a different type of journey. Meeting up with them, I realized, they were, as its known in the movies "in it." 30 mile days, 4 mph walking pace, a beard that would make a Canadian blush, and a trail reputation to back up their exploits. It took us a few days to meet up, as it was dumping rain the first several days (it does that in the Pacific Northwest) and they were coming down from Mt. Hood, around yet another fire detour, and coming to their lowest point on the trail, seeing me again. Wait...

I was fortunate to get to spend some time in Portland with a good friend of mine, John. And, I take full credit for discovering that the only public transportation route from Portland to Cascade Locks. However, once the rain had resided, and as I was sitting at Cascade Locks after hiking the infamous Eagle Creek Trail, talking with thru hiker after thru hiker, tracking Caleb and Train only as a knowledgeable ex-thru hiker can, I realized to myself, I was no longer "in it." My drive, and motivation, had somehow vanished. I'm not sure if it melted with the rain, or if it was the lure of other adventures, but I realized that I would only stare at Washington, that Washington was saved as a crown jewel for those who had scraped through the entire state of California, and torched Oregon in their paths.

So, John graciously drove to Cascade Locks to pick me up so we could go into Portland and catch the Tennessee opening game. Approximately midway through the 3rd quarter, I could sense it, a creature resembling Harry and the Hendersons sat right next to me with a joyous "How ARE You?!". It was Caleb. My god, what a beard this man had grown. Caleb, Train, John, and I enjoyed a night out on the town in Portland. The next day, we made it to breakfast, and then the airport where I was given a fairly sweet deal on a rental car for the next several days. It was my full intention to hike Mt. St. Helens and drive down to Crater Lake, hiking around the rim, before I returned back to Tennessee. I've always dreamt of visiting both places. The destruction at Mt. St. Helens is absolutely humbling, and Crater Lake is something every man, woman, and beast should see in their lifetime.

So, in summary, if you were asking yourself the question "What is going on here?" This is what is going on. Brandon spent nearly two weeks self-exploring the Northwest, spent close to a week with Caleb, who can feel the end of trip. I would note, for those whom text with him, that cell phone coverage will be very spotty as his next stops are White Pass (rumor has it he is already there), Steven's Pass (Snoqualmie near Seattle), Skykomish, WA, and Stehekin, WA. And then? Well... that's it.

If I were betting, I'd bet he has 3 weeks left. If you pray, pray for good weather for Caleb. If you don't, cross your fingers for Caleb.

Blevins. Out.

Crater Lake and Oregon

"America is all about speed - hot, nasty bad-ass speed .~"Eleanor Roosevelt.

Well I've been flying through Oregon. All the rumors were true, this by far has been the fastest and flattest section of the trail. Train and I have been moving at about a 4 mph pace and doing 30+ mile days like no one's business. I'm not sure if its my ipod Julia sent me to Ashland, the new shoes or the terrain, or maybe just being a well built hiking machine at this point but I'm definitely killing the miles.

Currently I am in a very nice hotel in Portland. Train's parents drove down from Seattle and picked us up off the trail for a weekend of relaxation here and over in Cascade Locks. The Widmaiers have been wonderful to me, treating us to a nice dinner and putting us up in the hotel where the tvs and showers actually work. (We're used to staying in the cheapest motel we can find in towns)

Cascade Locks is the border-town between OR/WA on the mighty Colombia River, which the trail runs directly through. They are having a big celebration and all sorts of activities for thru-hikers called 'PCT Days' this weekend. We were about 150 miles short of making it via trail, so thats why they've picked us up so we can partake in all the fun. We'll actually make the town by trail in a week or so. It should be fun, the PCTA has purchased two kegs for us, so that oughta make for a good time.

While Oregon hasn't had many towns, we've run through many mountain and lake resorts where they treat us like folk heroes because we've hiked so far. Free ice cream, pizza, beer, showers and camping have been some of the few perks they've thrown at us. Its been awesome.

The highlight of not only Oregon but perhaps the whole trail has definitely been Crater Lake. I've always wanted to go there since i was a kid when I did a project on it for school. I've seen many incredible things in my life, but I dont think I've seen anything so breath-taking as this natural phenomenon. Much like the Grand Canyon, pictures will never do it justice, and its something you have to see with your own eyes. The water was the bluest blue I've ever seen. The trail ran along the rim for about 8 miles, and while it was the steepest and most difficult part of the trail so far, every climb was worth the effort to get a different perspective of the lake. If anyone ever has the oppurtunity to visit Crater Lake NP, please dont pass it up.

Brandon flies into tomorrow night to Portland and we'll get back on the trail Monday at the Three Sisters National Forest. Its gonna be good to have him back. We're still on target to finsih by the end of September. Already real world issues are starting to creep back in my head like "What am i going to do when i'm done?" But i'm still very much living in the moment.

For those of you who dont know, my mother has been in and out of the hospital with stomach,liver,glabladder issues for the last 2 weeks. Please keep her in your prayers, I wish i could be there for her. Its a good thing her plans to visit at this time didnt work out, i might had to perform emergency surgury with my swiss army knife.

Huge Picture Update

All,

Caleb sent in his picture card. Check out all the new pictures tracking his journey. He has many videos that need converting as well.

http://picasaweb.google.com/blevinschurch/CalebSPCT

If anyone out west wants to meet up with Caleb, he will be at PCT Days at Cascade Locks August 26-28th near Portland, OR. Stop by, support the Pacific Crest Trail, meet other hikers, and get Caleb's autograph!

I'll be rejoining Caleb following PCT days. I'm scared of the limelight.

Send him lots of good stuff, the trip has 4-5 weeks left!

Brandon

Man vs Food

Well, I made it out of California. I didn't get every mile done in the state that I wanted, but it feels good to make it to Oregon. Mentally, it feels downhill from here on. Oregon is the flattest section of the trail, so hopefully it'll only take 2.5-3 weeks to make it to Washington.

Coming out of Etna through the Marble Mountain Wilderness was a real treat. Large granite mountains and plenty of lakes made for some wonderful photos. From Etna it took only 2.5 days to make it to Seiad Valley, home of the Seid Valley Cafe's infamous 5lb pancake challenge. I took it on with a fury. Long story short, I hit the proverbial wall after about 2 of the 1lb cakes. But not wanting to go down with only 2 gone, I powered through and was able to get a 3rd and half of the 4th. The owner said it was the 2nd best showing she had seen in 2 years. Only 18 people have beat the challenge in 22 years, last in '06. She told me most only get 1-1.5 lbs down before they throw in the towel. Although I failed, I still gave a "world-class effort." Downside? It put me out of commission for about 3 hours. We ended up staying the night and made the last 5,000 foot climb of the PCT out of Seiad.

The following day we hit the border and continued onto Ashland, OR, home of the world's largest Shakespeare festival. Ashland is a wonderful little town with a very hippie-shiek feel. Train and I took a couple of zero days to explore all the micro-breweries. We also met back up with Sunseeker. We're hitting the trail today and are planning to really crank out big miles to get through the state. I'm very excited to knock Crater Lake off my bucket list which is only 100 miles away. The only town near the trail between Ashland and Washington border is Sisters, so if you want to send me anything awesome (which I highly encourage) then please do.

Hold for James Church

General Delivery

Sisters, OR 97759

DonahuePass

YouTube Account

One of my promises when I got off the trail was to get better, and upload our footage. Well, I've accomplished both I feel. Check out our new YouTube channel for our videos. Look for more in the not so distant future...

See y'all August 26th, my hat goes off to Caleb for, not only, keep on keeping on, but at an excellent pace.

BlevinsChurchPCT YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/BlevinsChurchPCT

Etna (a little earlier than expected)

Its been a while since the last update so i'll give y'all a quick run-down of where i've been and what i've been up to.

Train, Sunseeker and I made it across the waterless desert stretch of Hat Creek Rim, there was a solid water cache in the middle that broke it up nicely. Prior to that we also checked out Subway Cave, a 1/3 mile long lava tube near Old Station. The views looking across the valley from the rim at Mt Shasta and back towards Mt Lassen for a solid 30 miles were spectacular. We made it to Burney Falls, which were also very unique waterfalls where the water spilled over and out of hundreds of holes in the walls of the rock face.
Train and I wanted to step up the miles and Sunseeker decided to hitch ahead 80 miles so we parted ways at the falls. We pulled 3 big days(83 miles) to make it to Mount Shasta, which was a unique little town just below to mountain. Shasta is the 8th largest mountain in the world and is pretty magnificent.

After a solid zero day there, where i finally caught Inception (and loved), we continued northward. Whats funny though is that from Shasta we actually curve south for a few days before actually heading towards Oregon. The trail is gerrymandered around logging lands and miner claims. After 3 days of of ridge walking we dropped into to Etna 40 miles earlier than we should have because of some trail magic and a thunderhead rolling in. We're staying at the "Hiker Hut" at the only B&B in town which is a cool little side building with 5 bunk beds, a shower, TV and Internet. The owner only charges us 20 bucks a night. Etna constantly ranks as a favorite town among PCT hikers. They have a small world class brewery here and pretty much one intersection. Its tiny but nice and everyone is very friendly towards hikers.

We're tryin to get back on the trail in the morning and then it should be only 2-3 days to Seiad Valley were i will attempt the 5 lb pancake challenge and then just 2 days to the border where i can finally wave goodbye to California and its 1700 or so trail miles.

Brandon Update: He should be flying into Portland on the 26th of August and finish out this thing with me. I'm looking forward to having my hiking partner back.

I say it a lot, but thanks for keeping up with the blog. I appreciate it.

Hidin in the Hiker-Hidaway

This'll be a short a post, because not much has happened since i left the Williams at Honker Pass. I've still been hiking with Train and Sunseeker, and we survived the drop-in and climb-out of Belden, which is not really a town so much as a trailer park with a bar(with karaoke). On the positive side we did cruise through the half-way point for the whole trail the following day.

Since Honker Pass we've been in a bigger group of about 10 people always within a few hours of each other. Tuesday night we were all at Drakesbad Ranch, which is a hot springs and horse riding ranch in the Lassen Volcanic NP right on the trail. We were treated with halfprice food and free showers and laundry and use of the hot springs pool because the owner is very enthusiastic about the PCT. Last night we all made it in to Old Station where we're staying the Hietmans Hiker Hideaway, trail angels who fed us and housed us. Dennis H is a solid guy, he used to do sound for the Filmore theater in the 60s and 70s, so i talked to him at length about what it was like to work closely with the Allman Brothers, Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty, The Stones, Sly and the Fam, Grateful Dead ect. Just awesome.

We're staring at a 30 miles waterless desert stretch upon leaving here and i believe were gonna night hike it out this evening or afternoon to avoid the brutal sun. After this though should end the PCT desert experience. I'm several days ahead of schedule, because we've been moving at a good pace... but my left Achilles has began acting up over the last day or two, i'm hoping nothing comes of it... We'll see. I should be in Burney Falls state park by Saturday, which is supposed to be a hiker highlight.

Mail? Absolutely! ha
General Delivery
Hold for PCT Hiker James Church
Ashland, Oregon 97520

should be there in 2 weeks.

Oh Oh, Its Trail Magic, you know...

"Trail Magic" is a very broad term used out here on the trail that pretty much describes anything good that happens unexpectly out here. In more practical terms, most hikers refer to trail magic as free stuff at trail heads or major road crossings, i.e. rides/water/food/alcohol. Northern California is a more remote area of the trail but has a surprising amount of trail angels. Over the last few days its been raining trail magic for myself and my current hking partners Sunseeker and Train.

Upon arriving at the grocery store in Trukee, sunseeker and I met Train and an ATer called "Hollywood" who was just hangin out in Trukee on his days off (he works at a campground in the area). Well wouldnt you know , if he wasnt just so excited for us and our adventure, that he wanted to give us a ride back to the trailhead... but after he bought us lunch... and drinks... and a quick trip to *cough* Reno *cough*. Needless to say it turned into a night of free food and lodging and delayed day back on the trail. But he finally did get us back and we proceeded to knock out back to back 30s. The Red Moose the next day in Sierra City provided discounted meals and free showers to hikers. Two days ago we ran into a hiker named Fuzzy Monkey, and it just happened that his mom and aunt were visiting for the week and at a road crossing they had ice cold cokes, fresh fruit and homemade cookies, needless to say we made arrangements to cross paths with them yesterday as well.

Finally that brings me to where i'm at right now, The Williams in Bucks Lake. Little known trail angels, who had a sign posted on the trail two miles from where we had plan to make camp. So they picked up the 3 of us and brought us to their cabin 2 miles off trail and provided showers, laundry and internet. There are currently 9 of us here. Dinner last night included CHICKEN TETRAZINI!, beef stroganoff, afgan lamb, pork ribs and vingerette salad. This morning they have a breakfast buffet set up with all the classics. After this they're taking back to the trail head and we're gonan attempt another big day to make it into Belden.

So i'm fresh and so clean clean and have a full belly and ready for another solid day of hiking, but i'm not looking forward to the free fall into Belden which drops 4000 feet over 6 miles. My knees hate me on big downhills, and this is the biggest drop on the entire trail. fact.

Soylant Green is People!

Well I made it to Donner Pass (made my famous by the people-eating Donner Party) just north of Lake Tahoe. The 3 1/2 days from echo lakes was a gorgeous section minus the hoards of weekenders and day hikers. This section has the highest volume of non-thru hikers on the whole trail, due to the proximity of Lake Tahoe. The mosquitoes have been horrendous at times, but the views from the ridges have made it all worth it. I've been hiking still with Mule and a guy named Sunseeker, a good ol' boy from the the boonies outside of Pittsburgh. Hes been on a trail since last October, hiking south on the AT and then doing the 13oo miles Florida Trail before hoping over to the PCT. Another highlight of the past few days was meeting the most famous PCT hiker, Billygoat. Hes around 80 years old and has an awesome Rip Van Winkle look going on as well a resume that has boast over 50,000 trail miles all over the world under his belt.

Mule has jumped north to hike Oregon, so right now its just Sunseeker and I. We're staying with a trail angel in Trukee named Triple H, a thru-hiker from last year who has a little house on Donner Lake that reminds me much of the Bluth House, where I lived my two last glorious years in college. He shares the house with three other roommates who're all ski bums in the winter time. Tomorrow I can pick up my bounce box and a couple of packages at the post office, resupply at the grocery store and hopefully be back on the trail by noon.

I received a voice-mail from Nick and Chris, our two British hiking friends yesterday and they're unfortunately about two weeks behind me at this point so unless I slow down considerably or they speed up, it looks like i probably wont see them again on the trail.

I want to thank my Mom, Sister and Grandparents who all sent me mail at Echo Lakes. Its always a morale boost receiving mail of any sort, so I really appreciate it. Brandon should be starting his job tomorrow and if everything goes according to plan, hopefully will return to the trail by this time next month. I should be hitting the Oregon border around that time.

My Next two mail drop locations are Belden , CA and Old Station, CA. I should be getting into Belden by next Monday or Tuesday (26th, 27th) and then Old Station by the following Monday (August 2nd). Like I said, mail drops are always appreciated and anything high in calories and fat is good trail food. The only thing to keep in mind is total weight of the package. My parents sent me a great box, but the food weighed 7 lbs, which is a little hard to add the weight to my pack. Until next time, thanks for reading.

General Delivery
Hold for PCT Hiker James Church
Belden, CA 95915
or
Old Station, CA 96071

Back to Echo

75 miles in 3.5 days isn't a bad haul. Getting a hitch out of Bridgeport proved to be difficult. A hiker named "Mule" and I managed to get back tot he trail and have been hiking together for the past few days. He's 22 and goes to Michigan. Hes fun to hike with but hes jumping north next week to hike Oregon before he has to return to school.

The landscape since Sonora Pass has been somewhat of a letdown after the beauty of Yosemite. The mountains just aren't as spectacular and often time the loose rock reminds me (not fondly) of the desert. The streams aren't as clear and my water purifier has run out of batteries, fingers crossed for no disease. Rand Lake and Jeff Davis Peak were the most spectacular portion of this section.

I've got 60 miles to go to get to Truckee and Donner Pass. Apparently there's a good trail angel to stay with there.

PS - Here is a new trail hat I picked up in Bridgeport. (Queue a Kid Rock song...)

Ridin' Solo!

I'm currently in Bridgeport at a library. I havnt had cell service to send brandon my blogs, so i will update them all right now...
Day 1
Heading out of Tuolomne Meadows alone was like the first day of a new school. I was excited and apprehensvie but ready to take on the challenege of hiking by myself. I kicked it into high gear to start, doing about 12 miles in 4 hours, stopping only briefly to Deet up against a hoard of mosquitos. The second half of my day was slowed considerably by 3 river fords and one brutal climb. I made it to Miller Lake about 20 miles in (which was my goal) and made camp with Mr Mountain Goat, and Australian thru-hiker. He is a pretty solid guy and a legit hiker.
Day 2
This section of the PCT is marked by steep canyons which makes for a very strenuous climbs and knee knocking drops. While I am hiking by myself, I am not alone out here. At Benson Pass (10,500 elev.) there was a log jam of PCTers, 9 of us at one point were up top taking in the view. Today got a littler out of hand with all the creek fords and a massive Hail T-Storm that chased me down a mounatain where I called it an early day to wait the strom out. I was camped with the Flying Kiwis (Kiwi and Doug). Everything got pretty wet in the storm, in hindsight i probably shouldnt have tried to set my tent up in the hail and rain. Tomorrow starts with one of the 'worst climbs of the trail' according to a previous hiker.
Day3
What a day! 3 Passes and 5 deep fords, an dafternoon thunderstorm once again cut my day short, but i was able to camp with the Kiwis again, they're good guys. Took my first bath in a creek after the storm, it was frigid but refreshing. Sad news: I left my braves bandana by a creek, hoping for some 'trail magic' to get it back.
Day4
Finally out of the steep canyons, and consequently done with Yosemite NP. There were only 2 fords today, and i have still yet to bust my ass, so good for me. I also barehanded a trout out of a lake flood plane. If our british pals were around, they'd of eaten it, I threw back. Camped with the Flying Kiwis again
Day 5
Today was short but eventful. The Kiwis and I made it up and over the Sierra Crest and down into Sonora Pass. We've left the white granite mountains of yosemite behind and are now in black volcanic peaks. The snow going up was pretty solid, the ice axe saved my butt once. ANd on the way down we glisaded(skiing, kinda) on our butts down about a 250 foot snow sheet. It was exhilarating and terrifying all at once. I had intended on going all the way to Ebbets Pass (extra 30 miles) by sunday morn, but since i havnt had cell service, i thought it wise to stick to plans i told Brandon. So here I am. The Kiwis are taking a week off in San Fran. I hope to see them again.

I just wanted to say thanks to everybody for encouraging me along. And thanks to those 'Brandon' readers that are still keeping up with me while he is off the trail temporairly. I'm hoping to resupply this afternoon and hitch back to the trail, that coud be tough though. we'll see...

Physically Impacting Fiscally

Happy Belated Birthday, Murica.

Over the past 45 days, Caleb and I have dealt with a variety of issues directly related with the tendons in my right foot, which were a direct result of my introduction to serious hiking. While that was our main concentration, about a week ago we made a terrible mistake and looked at our respective bank accounts. The physical toll has significantly impacted the fiscal toll of what our trail budget. Fortunately, for Caleb, while he has spent more than he should have, he still has a budget to finish the trip. At this point, for me, I have the choice of either running out of funds in early August, or taking off the month of July to work (for $$) and finish the trip with Caleb, rejoining him near Redding, CA or the Oregon border.

It's not an easy decision, but as we discussed, we want to cross the border, and a month to fiscally recover equals two months of hiking.

I'll be added to the list of folks who worry about Caleb during the month of July. This should not be mistaken that I don't think he is capable, in fact, he is more than capable. Keep in mind, it is I who has been learning the most on this trip.

Caleb and I had always planned to meet back up with our two British pals, Chris and Nick. Caleb has assured me that is still his plan. In the meantime, he will be meeting up with two other hikers we spent our last week or so hanging out with on the trail. He has their contact information. There was many hikers coming through the area where Caleb is currently at. We had moved from the back of the pack to the very front, and so while waiting there is a steady stream of hikers that should be joining him.

His itinerary is as follows:

• Hike from Tuolumne Meadows to Sonora Pass (75 miles)

• Resupply in Bridgeport, CA

• Hike from Sonora Pass to Echo Lakes

• Arrive in Echo Lakes for Resupply on July 14th.
  (Note: Any packages sent to Echo Lakes should be mailed by July 10th)

Send to:
HOLD PCT THRU HIKER JAMES CHURCH
General Delivery
Echo Lakes, CA 95721

I've also enticed him to write more blog posts in exchange for the standings in the NL east via text message. I will be sure and keep folks up to speed on his whereabouts and plans. The good news is that he is familiar with the area he is hiking through over the next few weeks. The bad news is that he is aware there will be lots of snow melt, soggy trails, and wet shoes. If you know Caleb, you know that he hates when his feet are wet. At least Julia brought him his boots.

-Brandon

Donahue Pass

Its the end of July, and Brandon has retreated back to TN for a wedding, an MRI and R&R. I will be spending the next 4 days here in Mammoth with my girlfriend Julia, who is flying in tonight, while Brandon is back home.

We've had a solid last 3 days, making the trek from Tuolomne Meadows in Yosemite NP to back to Reds Meadow near Mammoth. We made our first big climb up and over a snowy pass in the Sierras. Donahue set at just over 11, 000 feet and is under 15 of snow. Over the last 3 days, we've easily had our best vistas of the entire trip. From the top there are mountains in in every directions, some looking like our Smokey Mountains, others reminding us we are in the raw, jagged Sierras.

-- Message truncated due to power outage in the Mammoth Library --

The views helped mask the reality that moving through snow, navigating, and general walking is slow going and exhausting. You can physically feel the calories burning off your body each time you push yourself up and out of the snow drift that your entire leg just post holed into. While you wear your Seal Skin socks (waterproof socks), your feet stay dry, until your sweat pools up in them. There is no escaping we are in a new climate, facing a new obstacle.

We've climbed up above the treeline, coming from the lazy rivers of the Yosemite Valley. Brandon has stepped on lose logs and taking swims in snow creeks, while I have easily post holed no less than 50 times, once both legs going through the snow. It's been an amazing adventure leading up to our July 4th weekend.

And now, as we celebrate the awesomeness that is our country, we will be doing so with our significant others, before returning to our journey. God Bless You All. We are born American, and Southern by the Grace of God.

Mammoth Updates

June 26, 2010

After spending several days in Echo Lake area, including our exploration of Desolation Wilderness, Caleb and I decided it was time to get closer to Mammoth Lakes. Again, going over these huge passes with no trail to follow and little to no ice/snow climbing experience seems ill advised. We had planned to hitch town to town to Mammoth, camping at lakes along the way. However, we were picked up in a 2010 Cadillac heading all the way to Mammoth. So, today we returned from the Ansel Adams Wilderness, Inyo National Forest, and Devil Post-pile National Monument. We sufficiently explored this beautiful area outside of Mammoth where the PCT and John Muir Trail coincide. Tomorrow (6/27) we will be traveling from Tuomulmne Meadows in Yosemite Valley to Agnew Meadows, the Northern point of the PCT leaving Mammoth. We will be climbing upwards of 11000 ft, but we should have footprints to follow in the snow. The section isn't that long (25+ miles) but we will be in a quite a bit of snow, and a stories bear country. Personally, I welcome the adventure, and look forward to the next 72 hours.

-Brandon

We Are Alive!

June 19, 2010

Folks. We have not died. Our adventure lives perhaps more alive than ever before. After celebrating US tie, picking up some things from the post office in Tehachapi, we began to weigh our options for getting into Mammoth by June 30th.

A. Push the miles, time, and roll the dice in getting through the snow clogged High Sierras faster than anyone to date

B. Find a way up to Tahoe and adventure South.

We choose B. Working our magic, we ended up in Reno, NV for $32/night and enjoyed a Dirk Stevenson/Baron C. Rad adventure where we both came out even. Woke up the next morning and pulled strings to Tahoe where we found a way to Echo Lakes. Now both equipped with ice axes and snow gear we are working our way Lake to Lake back to Mammoth. We have a fishing pole and plan to do some damage. Already we have hiked around several waterfalls, summitted our surrounding peaks and "Polar Bear Plunged" into a half frozen lake. With snow pack between 2-15 ft, we will have a mixed bag adventure to Mammoth. But we will be there-And it shall be glorious.

-Brandon

Pictures

Pictures are posted!!! Just got Brandon's SD card in the mail. :) Enjoy!

-Miranda

Our March to Tehachapi: Ups and Downs.

In 2.5 days we have covered the distance from Agua Dulce (mile marker 454) to Tehachapi (558). It has been a trip of ups and downs, night and day hiking, excitement and frustration.

Ups:
- 30+ mile club. 34-mile hike from Agua Dulce into Lake Hughes propelled us into a club that typically doesn't start until Oregon.
- Going Old School. Taking the Old PCT straight across the Mojave Desert. While it may have required us to hop a few barbed wire fences in the middle of the night, and turn our heads to a couple of warning signs, we reduced 54 miles to 20 miles in an ill advised adventure, again, with no maps.
- Rock Inn. 5 delicious meals at the Rock Inn in Lake Hughes, CA. A flashback to the Old West, and a local town that many PCT hikers skip. We didn't, and we were rewarded with great food, a great atmosphere, and great conversation with the local community.
- Beards. Yeah, they are coming in pretty solid, extremely 'Murican.
- World Cup. We set a goal of making it to Tehachapi for the World Cup. While many called us crazy, we are here. Mile Marker 558.


Downs:
- The Wind. 24+ hours of 30-40 mph sustained winds. At first, I was excited by the 12+ anemometers that I saw. After about 30 minutes, I couldn't hear myself think.
- Night Hiking. What started out as excitement, turned into an exhausting, frigid, wind-filled death march.
- Pain. 74 miles covered in 60 hours has reminded our bodies that more miles is more pain.

We are still working on figuring out the next couple of weeks. We have 18 days until my flight out of Mammoth Lakes. We will keep you all in tune with the next leg of the adventure. In case you were wondering, the American Flag bandanas are out, it's almost kickoff.

We've been singing Toby Keith's "Courtesy of the Red White and Blue" for about 48 hours. It's time.
- Brandon