Moving on from Etna

Monday, August 2nd found Dave back on the trail after spending two days in Etna, California. They must have gotten a late start because they only went approximately 4 miles today. His Spot came in at 7:44 pm. I had been holding my breath all day. I'd either get a phone call if he was still in town or I'd get the Spot. I was relieved to see the Spot message.

It is a bit difficult to tell exactly where the guys are camping, but it looks like PCT mile 1609 - 1610. The are due West from Etna. See PCT Half Mile maps California Section Q, page 1. This section is 55 miles. Start - Etna Summit, mile 1606.5; End - Seiad Valley, mile 1662; Elevation Gain +11,860'; Elevation Loss -16,441', Elevation Change -4,581'.

http://www.pctmap.net/download/p/mapdl.html

Check out Dave's Spot:

http://www.findmespot.com/mylocation/?id=3A1h_/41.45358/-123.03622

Dave had mentioned that the past week hiking had been much easier than the Sierras. Because of that, he felt he was actually gaining weight back! I don't think that he had dropped too much weight, but I'm glad that he's feeling better about his weight and energy.

I mailed off his first packages to Oregon today. He'll be stopping in Ashland to pick up these supplies. Dave took me there a few years ago to the Shakespeare Festival. We stayed at the Mt. Ashland Bed and Breakfast. That is where I discovered Dave's deep desire to through hike the PCT. The PCT goes across the driveway of the Mt. Ashland Bed & Breakfast and we met our first PCT through hiker as we did a bit of our own PCT section hiking.

Getting to Oregon is a huge milestone. The more miles Dave travels, the more excited he gets about this hike. That makes this all worth while!!

Trail Angel Jane