What the savage teaches us

We enter a new 7 -day stretch of our Pacific Crest Trail adventure, south -south from Harts Pass, near Mazama Village, Washington. After taking our replenishment, we started the long walk to Stehekin and finally to Stevens Pass; crossing some of the most remote and resistant lands of the State.

A path along the path of memory

This section of the path brought strong memories of my 2023 walk. My friend Aquaman had to leave the way to recover from an injury, and I stayed to navigate one of the most challenging stretching alone. I remember fear vividly:

• What if I get lost?
• What happens if I don’t have enough food?
• What if I hurt?
• What happens if I can’t do this alone?
• What happens if I meet wild animals?

And yet, now that I have completed almost the entire path (except for a section impacted by fires and diseases) I realized that I had completed one of the most difficult parts. That moment only gave me the strength to continue walking forward for the second time through this part of the path.

Image Source: Welcome to Stehekin, July 2025.

Stehekin’s respite

Despite the difficult increases, arriving in Stehekin felt a reward. We approach our city tasks: refueling, laundry, cargo electronics and yes, blogger. Then we soak up in the simple joys: a local farm that still works with love after 50 years, the famous bakery with which all the hikers, the family bus of transport, complete with new jokes of the same drivers dream. A city with a population of around 75 years, hidden in the countryside as a well -kept secret.

Image Source: Lake Chelan, July 2025.

Image Source: Stehekin Shuttle Bus, July 2025.

Originally we planned to leave the next morning, but we decided to take an extra day. We needed to rest, food and some time to prepare mentally for what was advanced.

Redemption walk: Section K

I expected this year’s walk through section K (Stehekin to Stevens Pass) was different. I remembered the farms, the covered brush and the urinary infection that plagued me last time. A voice in my head whispered, Maybe you can omit this this time. But something in me backed away. Maybe I could do well this time, without injuries or diseases. So I went ahead, next to Napolitan, waiting for redemption.

In nature

Section K began with a relentless rise of 20 miles. As the elevation increased, the obstacles did so: fallen trees, dense brushes and rough branches left by our torn legs. The rangers just began their seasonal maintenance of trails, but for now, we were alone. And yet, beauty was amazing. The fog shot after dry heat days. The alpine lakes shone. Wild flowers painted the edges of the path. Despite chaos under our feet, we often stopped to remember why we were here. The views, wildlife and … some berries.

Image source: Trewbing The Ridge, July 2025.

Image source: Beauty of the Cascades, July 2025.

Image source: wild berries, July 2025.

Image Source: Mica Lake, July 2025.

Image Source: Marmot, July 2025.

The hardest miles

As the days extended, the land only got worse. The path was often invisible under excessive growth. The farms blocked our path every mile or less. Sometimes, we moved around 1.5 miles per hour, or slower. And we begin to run out of food.

Image source: Bridge Broken, July 2025.

Image source: Deadfall and Streams, July 2025.

Image source: Palas on the path, July 2025.

Image source: rough land, July 2025.

What we think would be a 6 -day stretch turned 7. Fortunately, some friendly hikers offered us snacks and meals to stretch our portions. Even so, we arrive at the final camp soaked, hungry and tired. A surprise storm had flooded the path. Our team was wet, our numb feet and my battery had died. I had 30% of the phone’s battery and only a fiance bar and a spoonful of samples to overcome the next day. Even so, I knew I would achieve it. I would have to do it.

The final thrust

The last 25 miles were difficult but more manageable. Less coatings. Best path. But mosquitoes were relentless. At one time, my snacks began to orange. I scratched them with frustration, hitting while climbing four more peaks.

Image source: beauty at the top, July 2025.

Image source: The Trail and The Mountain View, July 2025.

Image source: walking along the crest, July 2025.

I started at 5 in the morning and arrived at the road in the afternoon. In total: Total ascent: 5,464 feet. Total descent: 5,320 feet. Exhausted, bitten, scraped and euphoric. We did it.

What gathers us along the way

We got hooked in Leavenworth, where the friendly stores greeted us with food, offers of warm attractions and conversations. This path has a way of opening and doing so, reminding you of our shared humanity.

Image Source: Bavarian Lodge in Leavenworth, July 2025.

Image source: Breaking Bree, July 2025.

Image source: Poncho Party in the Wild, July 2025.

Here, the community is quickly formed. It is raw, real and rooted in something deeper than everyday life. Here’s why:

• Shared fight: We all face the same blisters, storms and long miles. The difficulty connects people quickly.
• Common objective: whether you are walking to Canada or simply trying to heal, we are all moving together.
• Helping each other: someone shares food. Someone records your blister. Here, we take care of each other.
• Simplicity: Without screens, there are no small talks. Only conversations and presence honest.
• Culture of trails: the names of the paths, the jargon of hikers and the silly traditions make it feel like a small world.
• Vulnerability: you stink. You cry. You laugh. You are human, and also everyone else.
• Celebrating the small victories: a hot meal, a flat carp site, a big day of mile, these things matter and celebrate them.
• People about politics: here, no matter where you are. We are just people walking along the same path.

So, today, as you advance in your business, whether you go for a walk, you are trapped in traffic, sending or presenting yourself to work, consider how these community values appear in your life. How do you introduce yourself to others? How do you let them appear? Each interaction is important. And maybe, just maybe, we can bring a little more magic to the daily world.

Learnings / inspiring appointments

«Find the type of tiredness that heals you and stops settle for the guy who drains. The body does not run at rest, runs for freedom.»

Statistics in the desert:

Temperature range: 42 ° -97 °

GENERAL LOCATION: Stehekin, Wa a Leavenworth, WA

Indigenous tribes: Michow, Chelan and Wenatchi

Who am I on Earth? Learn why it is important to respect the land in which we travel.