Butterknife Creek

Dave called in early this afternoon. Yesterday was a miserable day to hike. It was suppose to only be am showers, but it sprinkled in the morning and rained on and off all afternoon. Everything was soaking wet. He also spent time getting on and off the trail onto the road which was driving him crazy.

He found water last night and decided that would be where he could camp, but was unsure about where he could put up his tent. he took about 10 more steps when he walked into the most perfect camping spot. During the night he heard noise and thought it was a bear. Luckily for him it was a deer checking out his tent.

Things were dry this morning, except for his feet. The wind was drying things fast. His shoes and socks were still wet from walking through the overgrown trail yesterday. But today was turning out to be a beautiful, crisp day. He turned the corner of a mountain and saw Castle Craigs State Park! How exciting to see his ending location. He could also see Mt. Shasta which was very majestic, covered with snow. Dave was given yet another wonderful hiking day. He did have 4-5 inches of snow to walk through at one point, but the snow was so soft that his sore feet and didn't mind the snow at all.

His shoes, well, that is another matter. They are falling apart. There is no tread on them. The top of the shoe has ripped and torn so that it is almost half way off. He only needs to squeak 2 or so days out of them! Yes, he does have duct tape, but I'm not sure how much of that is left!

Dave's goal for today was to get to PCT mile 1472, but he thought that he might stop short if he came upon water and a good camping spot. He must not have had much luck, because his Spot came in at 5:01 at PCT mile 1472. Check out PCT Half Mile map California Section O page 6.

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

You can also see his SPOT on google maps

http://www.findmespot.com/mylocation/?id=3mgk3/41.12922/\-122.02698

Currently, it looks like Dave will get into Castle Craigs State park Thursday. He'll set up his tent to stay warm and wait for me to get him. He's planning on being at the campsite where I dropped him off oh so long ago! I've got a long drive, but am excited to see him and bring him home!

Trail Angel Jane