PCT day 158 – 162: We walk to Canada! Northern terminal

Day 158 – Stehekin Day «Hero»

Chowder and I set our alarm for the 4 am and we were packed at 5. Our goal was to walk nine miles to Stehekin’s bus stop before 9 am, we usually don’t start so early, but the flat and easy path made it pleasant. We arrived at the ranger station at 8 am and met with our PDF and stretch friends, whom we had not seen in a couple of days. We chat with other hikers while waiting for the bus.

Our bus driver was a jewel, full of funny facts and ingenious jokes that made the trip pass. Before arriving in the city, we stopped in the famous Pastry Company Stehekin. I had coffee and a couple, while Chowder scored a roller of mass cinnamon.

Once in Stehekin, it was time to go. We wanted to finish all our city tasks before the bus back of the 2 pm. We load devices, we walk with energy to the small laundry (sharing a load with PDF and stretching), and picked up our refueling box of the Post Office. The showers were out of service, so there is no luck there. With wrapped tasks, we enjoy a leisurely lunch at the City One One restaurant with friends.

For all those who have asked me how we charge our devices on the way, this is a way in which we do it!

Enjoy lunch after completing our city’s tasks

Stehekin, perched on Lake Chelan and only accessible by boat or plane, is a small super lovely town. Chowder and I talked about returning one day for a long weekend.

At 2 in the afternoon, we upload the bus back to the path, because they had achieved a «hero» (hitting the city and leaving the same day). I grabbed a spoonful of Huckleberry ice cream during the bakery stop, and the 3 pm were on the path again with the aim of 11 more miles. The path passed from the North Cascades National Park, and we spent most of them chatting with PDF. We arrive at the camp at 7 pm, cook the dinner with our friends and give ourselves the night.

Day 159 – Rainy Pass

Today was one of my favorites along the way. We left the camp at 6:30 am and started a long but gradual climb of nine miles. A journey ranger stopped to ask if we were pct hikers. At this point, he feels obvious with our sunken eyes and worn equipment, but maybe we saw each other fresher than we felt.

After a boxing stop, we cross the 20th highway and start another climb. The hikers of the day congratulated us, a man who says: «You are almost to Canada!» I touched the thought.

Rainy Pass was absolutely incredible!

At the top, Rainy Pass rewarded us with impressive views. The path reminded me of the desert, dry and marked, before another climbing about Michow Pass and a long and windy descent. Along the way, Chowder and I talk about what we want to bring to our lives: the sense of community, generosity and connection. We agree that we will take a break from the long distance walk for a while (it is not a surprise after 2,600 miles).

We stopped for a snack and a water break, before another ascent. My headphones died, so the soup let me use one of the sprouts of his ear and listen to Kendrick Lamar during the last miles. We arrive at the camp, with many camps! We established the camp and had dinner with our friends stretching, PDF, rocksie, murderous and silver lining. I had some extra food this transport, so I combined two dinners in one and made a mac & cheese gluten -free chili, mixing some seasoned pinto beans and a little macaroni with cheese together. Calories! It seemed that it would be a cold night, so we fashed and went to bed sleeping in our swollen jackets.

Day 160 – Harts Pass

The escalation by Saltamontes pass

It was a cold night, and it was difficult to move this morning. We packed the camp and had a two -mile climb to Grasshopper Pass. The top of the pass was beautiful, with the way the morning light hit the mountains. We notice some storm clouds in the distance, but we hope they will not affect us. We walk along a ridge line, with impressive views, and even the beginning of the Alerce turning. Unfortunately, it began to rain, so we threw our rain team.

In Hart’s Pass, we ran into the magic of the path! World Class, an angel of world -class trails, had established large tents with sofas, load, wifi and even a complete kitchen that somehow transported the pass. I was cooking breakfast, so we could dry, fuel and heating.

Cozy configuration of the path of the path

We stayed a couple of hours before pressing through the fog and clouds. With the Canada border now closed to hikers, we knew we would have to walk 30 miles back after labeling the terminal, but the positive side was improvised meetings. We found the shark bait, the day seen in the desert, and then several others with which we had not crossed in months.

The rain recovered again near the end of the day, but the walk with the positive side helped the miles. The camp was full of people, but we got, we had dinner in the store and fell asleep buzzing with the idea: tomorrow we would arrive at the terminal.

Day 161 – Canada!

It is the big day. Today we would arrive at the North Terminal. Ah!

The rain soaked us all night, but as we were laughed at the final 29 miles (14.7 in each direction), we left our store and equipment, waiting for it to dry. We walked in the dark as the light changed, but the weather remained misty and cloudy, very branded for the northwest of the Pacific in September. We start in the dark, walking with PDF and stretching.

Around five miles outside, the sun made its way. He felt destined to be. A mile before the border, we even find jaba and stop. I took a selfie with a stop for my family, who are fans of their YouTube channel.

When we finally round the last corner and saw the terminal, the hikers cheered. We tagged it, signed the registration book and open the celebration beer and the cider that we had taken from Stehekin. I didn’t cry, but I couldn’t stop smiling. He felt like a party: more than 30 hikers gathered, hugged, cheered and celebrated.

We did it !!!!

The walk back to the camp was sunny and reflective. I even walked only for a while, taste it. On the way back, we spent more friends who now went to the north, including our pals yeti and stand! Back in the camp, our team had dried, and we shared a last dinner with friends before spending early. Tomorrow: Our last day on the road.

You meet Friend Yeti in our ‘Victoria’ return ‘!

Day 162 – Goodbye Path

We packed at 5 in the morning, our last morning on the PCT. Looking to the clear sky and full of stars, I broke crying. What privilege has been: see this beauty every day, be part of such a genuine community, to boost exhaustion and still feel satisfied. Finishing with my husband, the love of my life, made it even more significant.

The walk back to Harts Pass revealed impressive views that we had lost in the rain. We congratulate the hikers who headed north and met with old friends, including Gandalf. The tears went and went: I was so ready to finish with more than 25 miles, but I knew I would miss this deeply.

We meet our friend Gandalf around a mile before returning to Harts Pass!

In Harts Pass, Chowder’s father and his dog, Niko, were waiting. Thank you very much for driving the long way to pick us up. On the way home, we stopped for Margaritas and fajitas, then we arrived at a welcome from my mother’s champagne.

And so, we were at home.

Thanks to all who have followed this trip. I will share a blog sooner about the life after the trail, but for now, that is a wrapping in the blogs of daily paths.