PCT Day 145 – 152: Navigating fire closures and smoke in Washington

Thanks to all my readers for being patients with me! I have been busy walking in some quite remote sections without cell or Wi-Fi service. Consistent blogs will come out during the next week or so. 🙂

Day 145 – Knife edge

We woke up before the usual today, at 4:30 am, so we could savor the edge of Knife, one of the most emblematic parts of the Pacific Crest Trail in the goat desert. This section occupies a special place in Chowder’s and My Hearts. At the beginning of our relationship, we made a four -day backpacking trip on the goat rocks and even walk Knife’s advantage. At that time, I remember being amazed by all hikers flying through the narrow crest. They looked like rock stars. Today I was one of them.

When the sun came out, Mount Adams and Mount St. Helens shone in the distance. The two -mile walk to the edge of Knife felt magical: meadows full of flowers, pristine air and even a marmot enjoying the quiet morning.

After a short climb, Mount Rainier was obvious throughout his glory. We were walking with stretching and PDF, which were equally impressed. Soon we arrived at the beginning of Knife’s Edge, where we had to cross an icy snow patch. With my shoes ready to be replaced and without microspikes, it was stressful. I did it, but he definitely felt incomplete. The rest of Ridgeline’s walk was incredible but heartbreaking. I took it easy, remembering myself to breathe. Interestingly, I didn’t remember having felt so nervous when I walked four years ago, but today he felt more discouraging.

Finally we descended, we stopped for water and talked with some weekend backpackers. We have lunch with BEC, EM, Mayor and PFT. Then came a great climb full of curves. Farout promised views at the top, but the smoke blocked Rainier. Fortunately, the morning had been clear. As we descended, we noticed smoke in the distance, the beginning of the wild cat fire.

The rolled path near the White Pass ski resort, where Showder and I ski, who felt surreal. On highway 12, the husband of Chowder’s cousin, Adam, picked us up with cold soda waiting. We go to Yakima for a double zero to see the family, and Ripley, our dog! Stretch and PDF also met their parents.

When we arrived at my mother -in -law’s house (hereinafter «Mama Showder»), they received us with hugs and Ripley. At first it seemed confused, but once a good snack was made, its tail moved like madness and was glad to see us. The rest of the night was showers, laundry, family time and finally collapsing in a real bed.

Days 146 and 147 – Double Zero in Yakima

We spent two full days in Yakima updating with the family. My mother even came to stay, so she felt like a mini family reunion full of good food and quality.

Chowder and Ripley obtaining some curled up in

On our last day zero, the PCTA announced the closure of the path between White Pass and Chinook Pass due to Wildcat’s fire. It was disappointing, but as we live nearby, we thought we could always walk that section next year.

DAY 148 – DESTIL TO CHINOOK PASS

Saying goodbye to the family already Ripley was difficult. Being far from loved ones and pets has been the most difficult part of this walk. My mother dropped us at the four, the chojo, the stretching, the PDF and me, in Chinook Pass, without passing the closure.

While we climb, the sky became misty with smoke from the fire of wild cats. My eyes chopped and my throat burned, so I took the KN95 mask that I had hidden in my first aid kit. He helped, but he still had problems breathing sometimes, which was afraid.

Wild cat fire smoke

At night, we arrived at a camp full of people and squeezed each other next to another store, hoping that we did not disturb our neighbors in the morning.

Day 149 – Mount Rainier views, smoked skies

I accidentally slept until 6 in the morning. Fortunately, smoke seemed lighter. We continue and reach a dirt road, where we find a couple of hikers with which we have walked from time to time. One of them did not feel good, and he was trying to discover how to get to the city from the way. Later we heard that they walked along the dirt road for several miles and finally received help. Then we reached a clear and we had incredible views of Mount Rainier! Bulp and enjoy the view for a few minutes before continuing.

In the afternoon, the sky darkened with a mixture of smoke and clouds, up to date a sinister sensation. After an steep climb, we find Huckleberries along the path, the motivation of the camp before the camp. That night, the coyotes howled in the distance while we slept in an old dirt road turned into a camp.

Day 150 – Snoqualmie Pass

The day began with smoke and a climb before a long and rocky descent. This section felt monotonous, so I appeared in a podcast. The highlight came when I saw a fire brand «90% made.» Unreal: We have walked 90% of the PCT!

We have lunch for a lake and listen to rumors of another new fire near Stevens Pass. Would we have to omit that too? Pushing Snoqualmie downhill, I was frustrated by loose rocks that slowed me, but finally I arrived at the pass where my mother waited with our replenishment for the next section. Thanks mom for leaving our food!

We decided to get a hotel room at the Summit Inn. Inside, we met with Send It, seen in Seiad Valley! Showers, carrier food, an episode of Family disputeAnd then sleep.

Day 151 – Entering the Alpine Lakes desert

We had breakfast at the hotel money before returning. After crossing under the I-90, the path increased the curves aligned with one-day hikers and weekend backpackers. We stopped for lunch at Ridge Lake, which I immediately added to my «essential return» list for a weekend trip.

Even with smoke, the alpine lake desert was impressive: crest after astonishing views. The highlights: detect a curious marmot entering and leaving its burrow.

That night, we camped near a lake with stretching, PDF and Mono, a hiker who started the same day we did. We all share dinner and laughter before bedtime.

Day 152 – Exit the path (for now)

We woke up with thick smoke. My eyes and the throat burned, and even using a mask, I fought to breathe. Chowder and I decided that it was not worth risking our health and we planned to get out of the way.

We walked four miles to a crossing that we met from a last trip to Lake Spectacle, then we follow the Pete Lake path to the parking lot. Some campers told us that AQI had around 175, it was not good. Fortunately, two university students offered us a trip to Cle Elum.

In McDonald’s in the city, we met with String and PDF, who also decided to rescue the smoke. We all decided to take a couple of days off to see if the conditions improved. Chowder and I headed home with the help of our friend Avi, who picked us up.

He felt bittersweet. I was happy to see my mother who is sitting for us and seeing my cat, but disappointed to leave Sendel. Even so, we know that it was the right call for our health, and we decided to go out again on the road as soon as the conditions allow it.