Sunday, February 16, 2014

Tales from the PCT - The Chipmunk

I was somewhere in northern California, pounding the trail and feeling the thirst. A couple of hours ago I had finished off the last of my double-triple caffeine spiked breakfast sludge. The previous night I dry camped and, being too lazy to carry the extra water, I was running low. After experiencing a significantly unfun bout of dehydration on my very first day out on the PCT, it seemed I was still a sucker for punishment! Well, all in good fun! The caffeine would keep me going.



The thing with caffeine though, is the diuretic effect. So this particular day Murphy's law had it that, parched throat and all, I was also holding quite a large pee. Now when it comes to thru-hikers relieving themselves there are three distinct progressions in the execution of the task. In the early days you tend to take a few paces off the trail. Later on you learn to just stop right on the trail, swing to the side and go.

The third stage is actually only reached by a small minority and requires certain specialized skills. You see, with thru-hiking time is miles (yes, I coined that phrase) and there are those individuals who have mastered the technique of not stopping at all! Somehow dangling, spraying across the trail as they walk and shuffle, these higher beings never stop moving and in the process not only manage to stay dry but also save on hiking downtime...

I never quite reached this advanced stage but I did however develop my own system: I would simply hold it in until I found that spot with the perfect view. Now this is unhealthy I know, but it meant killing two birds with one stone - you get the scenery fix and the relief in one package. Remember, time is miles. And, luckily, perfect views are littered along the PCT.

So on this day, after some more walking I ended up with a pretty full reservoir right at the perfect spot. Slightly off the trail and with a great view of the hills and valleys beyond, I got a good strong stream going.



The flow continued to stay strong when suddenly I noticed some movement from under a bush to my right. A chipmunk was darting directly at me. More specifically, it seemed to be aiming for this single stream of water hitting the dry earth in front of it. And, my oh my, it's aim was ever so true!

Now, this is where I'm not too sure as to what the tiny guy's plan was. I mean, I know deer like a bit of urine licking. But chipmunks? And why was our little friend so bold? My first guess is that it was probably pretty thirsty itself and just couldn't believe it's luck when, from it's sheltered view under the bush, it saw a miracle water source materialize out of thin air. Or maybe, feeling threatened by the appearance of this yellow liquid apparition on it's doorstep, it decided to attack!



Regardless of it's true intention, immediately after taking a nice big swig/bite the critter jumped back and froze! It was clearly stricken and confused. I continued to pee, but now in awe. It was at this moment I believe it first noticed me, looking straight up and eyeballing me with a look that must be a chipmunk's best attempt at a grimace. Standing there, motionless, it regarded me for a few more seconds and then finally retreated. Whether in horror or disgust, I could not tell.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Random PCT musings - The Night Watch

Late evening in the southern California hills, just a couple of miles from Barrel Springs. Drop the packs, cook up, eat up and crash cowboy style! Me and my PCT compadre for the last few days, Matt from Arkansas, found a sweet grassy patch in a drainage just uphill from the trail. Nice and comfy in my down quilt I settle in for the night, looking up at the stars before my eyes become heavy and I drift off.


Then, "GROWL!" I sit up. "Yo Matt, what was that?". He's like, "What?". "Didn't you hear that, somewhere to our left?". "Nope.."

"Never mind". I lay down again, a bit more aware of my surroundings now. Some minutes pass. And then, "GROWL!" This time, right behind us! I try to get Matt's attention but he's pretty much passed out. A couple of minutes later, there's another growl to our right!


Ok, back then I had never heard a real live bobcat or mountain lion growl before. And, right there and then, I was clueless as to which it was. A bobcat with a sore throat? Or, a mountain lion with a girly growl? Mmmm. Thinking back now, and having listened to some audio with hiker buddies, I'd have to say it was a bobcat. No offence to the bobcat with the whole girly growl statement.. Still, it was clearly aggressive and a pretty scary sound at that!

That fateful night, the night that ultimately led to my trail name (we'll get to that in a second), I finally got Matt's attention. How? I threw him with a rock. "Wake up dude! Do you hear that?". The cat growled again. For the first time he acknowledged hearing the growl. "This thing is circling us, man!", I say. "Maybe we're close to it's den or something". Matt's response? "Well, guess I'm sleeping with my knife in my hand tonight". And with those words he dozed off again.


Me? I didn't doze off. Frankly, I didn't sleep much at all. With my headlamp on and my mini Victorinox knife in my hand, sitting up every now and then to stare into the brush, I spent the rest of the night listening to a pissed of cat growling in the background. Hence, the name Night Watch...

Proud PCT thru-hiker
The Night Watch


PS - Bobcats kick ass!

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Days 154 - 157 (Sept 24 - 27): Miles 2402 - 2474

On Monday morning I finally got my package at the Chevron. I decided to take the alternative trail that passes Goldmeyer hot springs. The detour passed the gorgeous Snow lake, after which there was a short but tough section of downhill trail that was not well maintained. After that the trail was good again. I spent the evening soaking in awesome the hot springs!

After spending another hour in the hot springs the next morning I started out. The climb out of the valley followed the Snoqaulmie river. As you climb you first walk through deep lush forest, then beautiful meadows and woodland and alpine surroundings. After the final ridge you get a view of a gorgeous lake below you. I camped at Walupt lake that night and while packing up the next morning I had a brief visit from a curious bear. It was about to walk into my campsite but it ran off quickly after seeing me.

The rest of the walk into Stevens Pass was tough but beautiful.

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Days 162 - (Oct 2 - Oct 4): Miles 2570 - 2650




Canada!!!
One 20 and two 31 mile days and we were there! It's still sinking in. Party first, blog later!

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Days 158 - 161 (Sept 28 - Oct 1): Miles 2474 - 2570

Well this was a tough section but the alpine scenery around glacier peak wilderness was awesome!

I teamed up with Tahoe, Splinter, Freestyle and Bodybag in some places. We did the slightly scary but fun log crossing along the the old pct route.

It was getting colder at night and harder to get up early in the morning. We hiked into the dark for a couple of hours on some nights.

We all spent the Monday night in Stehekin, and slept next to the lake. This place is pretty remote but a cool little place.

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Thursday, September 27, 2012

Days 149 - 153 (Sept 19 - 23): Miles 2300 - 2402

On Wednesday I got a lift up to the trailhead with a truck driver from Yakama indian reservation. The walking was easy for the first section and there were lots of cool little lakes along the way.

There was still lots of smoke around from all the fires. A few miles past Chinook pass I saw smoke on the ridges, only a few hundred yards east of the pct.

Friday afternoon I ran into Bloodbank. Clouds were coming in and it was getting cooler and a bit wet. We ended up camping by a weather station that night.

Saturday morning was still misty and wet. I reached Snoqualmie pass around lunch time. I expected a package with a new headlamp and socks but it wasn't there. Ended up taking a zero on Sunday.

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