Apache Peaks and Wells: The Hike

Today was my hardest day on the trail. This was the day I had been dreading for months. Built in my mind to be one of the scariest parts of the trail. Today we were climbing Apache Peak.

I woke up well rested and ready to take on the day. My foot felt strong and the morning kilometers flew by. I arrived at an overlook with 360 degree views with my PCT Spotify playlist on shuffle, feeling on top of the world.

I grabbed Cool Beans at lunchtime by the turnoff to Spring Creek. Eating a quesadilla packaged in PVC, we contemplate our water hauling once again. I decided to go up the trusty Spring Creek as planned, even though it meant a full load of rationed water to carry me through the afternoon climb, through the night, and to the next spring tomorrow.

The hike up Spring Creek wasn’t as easy as I expected, even without our packs I had some trouble navigating the elevation with arms full of water bottles. The mile long hike brought us to this beautiful campground with a nice stream flowing through the middle, perfect for filtering water. We made the hike back, loaded the full 4 liter capacity into my backpack and started moving.

Leaving Spring Creek, we did an extreme descent to reach Apache base. This is where my anxiety peaked. As we climbed higher and higher, steeper and steeper, it seemed like the summit of Apache Peak was getting higher and higher.

Apache Peak was one of my biggest fears when setting out on the trail. I’ve heard horror stories from hikers facing inclement weather and extreme conditions. This is the place where 2020 hiker Microsoft had a tragic and fatal accident. And while texting a friend of a friend/PCT alumnus, he heeded a similar warning and shared his near-death experience at the same moment. These stories were foremost in my mind as I looked at the climb ahead.

Cool Beans looked back to tell me something about our steep, incomplete descent and I instantly burst into tears and shared my anxiety. He calmly guided me through every step and distracted me with crazy stories from the last time he hiked the trail. It was exactly what I needed at that moment. I don’t know if I would have been able to climb this peak as steadily without it.

We signed the log book at the base of the peak and began our ascent. I carefully placed each step being on high alert as we climbed higher. The climb was difficult, passing through downed trees and an average grade of 700 feet/mile with most sections even steeper. It may be hard to fall short.

I made it to the top next to Cool Beans, where we found Bug’s backpack and Straight Up while he was going down to get water. Cool Beans gave me the biggest hug and I thanked him again and again for his support during that climb. I really would have fought a lot harder without him there. I’m so grateful for him and the little family of trails we’re building here.

Over 4,800 feet of climbing during the day. I did it. I surpassed Apache Peak. Type 2 fun for sure. I can’t wait to do it again!

We hiked about 1.7 miles past the summit to camp for the night. I have never been so happy to be comfortable in my bed. I fell asleep as soon as I settled in at 5:30pm, but mustered the energy to have dinner with Cool Beans, Straight Up, Rolodex and Dandelion before entering my tent around 7.

City tomorrow. I can’t wait. Oh! And today I met more people who will be at karaoke. It’s growing! Hopefully I can stay up late to go.

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