Following the steps of others

Refuge of Big Lake Youth Camp

In a moment after leaving Lake Charlton, I walked through a desolate burned area. The area had been so completely burned that there were not even dead trees. The ash was fine along the way and you could see the footprints of other hikers overlapping with each other with exquisite details.

Throughout this walk, my feet follow the steps of others. Am I a leader or follower? We all walk the same path, but what we take away can be completely different. Until now, I can say that I have never met so many interesting people. Or maybe I have done it, but I never had the time or interest to meet them before. This has been a surprising discovery on the PCT.

Updates

The most recent area I walked for had a wide variety of different landscapes. The desert of the three sisters is extremely beautiful and fascinating with obvious signs of previous volcanic activity. To add to mystique, the weather was cloudy and misty. Somehow, this was great because much of the path was exposed and would have been very hot. On the other hand, the upper part of the peaks obscured, so the views were not dramatic. Some sections passed through flat plains full of small wild flowers, while next to this plain, there was a table of volcanic debris with nothing that grew.

Obsidian falls on Obsidian rocks.

Obsidian fall

The high glacial currents fall, their source the snow that is still present even in August. I walked through Lupine fragrant fields.

Fragant Lupine Fields

The misty climate became rain. I was extremely proud of my Durston X-Dome under wind and rain. The interior remained completely dry.

I had heard of the lava fields of a random stranger and an ice cream shop in Ashland. He had commented on how challenging he was under the sun. I wondered when that would be and this was all. Again, fresh and windy. The weather made it a little easier, but walking on large gravel pieces for several miles made a slow march and it was really hard for my feet. Another hiker described him as «walking on the moon» (he would like to have had the gravity of the moon too).

Lava fields

Finally, I arrived at Big Lake Youth Camp. They are very welcoming and have a separate space for PCT hikers to socialize, have something, shower and be with their refueling. They also offer meals to hikers. I am grateful that they are so welcoming. Last night I slept next to Big Lake. For the first time, my store was frozen in the morning. It’s time to change to cold weather equipment.

See the family

After leaving Big Lake, I walked to Santiam Pass, where my brother and his family picked me up. We visit Belcamp Hot Springs and stayed in the city of sisters. It is very nice to see the family and have the time to spend with them. I am very grateful to come to support me.

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