Dave will not be pushing his Spot tonight. He called at 7:00 and told me that it was pouring rain. The Spot has to be outside to work. He is camping at Mosquito Lake, PCT mile 2227. See the PCT Half Mile maps, Washington Section H page 10.
http://www.pctmap.net/download/p/mapdl.html
It has been raining for two days now and Dave's spirits were very low. I checked the weather at Trout Lake (his destination tomorrow) and it looks like constant rain until tomorrow around noon. I told him to stay in his tent and try to rest, wait for the rain to stop, get into town and get a room.
To get to Trout Lake he'll hike 10 miles to PCT mile 2237.5 at Road 23. Then he'll need to find a ride into town 13.8 miles.
The very first thing he said to me today after saying hello was, "would you hate me if I came home". He and I have a pact. The minute he needs to come home, he leaves the trail and cmes home. I've told him that if he gets into town and gets a good night sleep in a motel, he should ask himself then if he still wants to come home. He is so close to Canada, but this rain is making him miserable. Cold is one thing, but being wet is making him unhappy.
Thursday should be a clear day, with Friday and Saturday both having scattered showers. When he gets into Trout Lake, he'll pick up some resupplies (mainly food I've sent and clothing he forwarded). having dry clothes will make him feel better.
Keep Dave in your thoughts and prayers. He needs to make the decision that is best for him.
Trail Angel Jane
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Well into Washington
Dave's Spot came in on Monday August 30th at 7:44 pm. He is camping at or near a campground which has a good reliable water source. It is at PCT mile 2202. Check out his Spot on Google map:
http://www.findmespot.com/mylocation/?id=3Nd6W/45.86647/-121.78725
Also check out the PCT Half Mile Maps Washington Section H page 6:
http://www.pctmap.net/download/p/mapdl.html
It looks like our hikers are all camping together and making great miles. Their next stop is at White Pass where Dave will have at least three packages of resupplies. Dave kept adding to his list of things needed, days needed, socks, etc. I've also received another package back from Dave with items that weighted too much and that he wasn't using. He says that every time he tries to lighten his bag, it just seems heavier. Dave said it is most likely a strength issue, not a weight of the bag issue. I've sent him lots of treats, and am hoping to put a few extra pounds on him.
Trail Angel Jane
http://www.findmespot.com/mylocation/?id=3Nd6W/45.86647/-121.78725
Also check out the PCT Half Mile Maps Washington Section H page 6:
http://www.pctmap.net/download/p/mapdl.html
It looks like our hikers are all camping together and making great miles. Their next stop is at White Pass where Dave will have at least three packages of resupplies. Dave kept adding to his list of things needed, days needed, socks, etc. I've also received another package back from Dave with items that weighted too much and that he wasn't using. He says that every time he tries to lighten his bag, it just seems heavier. Dave said it is most likely a strength issue, not a weight of the bag issue. I've sent him lots of treats, and am hoping to put a few extra pounds on him.
Trail Angel Jane
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Day 1 in Washington - Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Sunday August 29th, Dave is camping near PCT mile 2174.5. He has found a spot near Rock Creek, just prior to Snag Creek. Check out his Spot on Google Maps:
http://www.findmespot.com/mylocation/?id=3NCej/45.76674/\-122.03835
You can also check out the PCT Half Mile Maps, Washington Section H page 3.
http://www.pctmap.net/download/p/mapdl.html
It looks like Team Far Sight's Spots are at the same location as Dave (both Fire Marshall and Zero have a Spot). I'm guessing that Redman is also there camping with them, at least that was the plan.
I've been working on posting the slide show to the blog and believe that I've finally figured out how to do this. Enjoy the pictures!.
Trail Angel Jane.
http://www.findmespot.com/mylocation/?id=3NCej/45.76674/\-122.03835
You can also check out the PCT Half Mile Maps, Washington Section H page 3.
http://www.pctmap.net/download/p/mapdl.html
It looks like Team Far Sight's Spots are at the same location as Dave (both Fire Marshall and Zero have a Spot). I'm guessing that Redman is also there camping with them, at least that was the plan.
I've been working on posting the slide show to the blog and believe that I've finally figured out how to do this. Enjoy the pictures!.
Trail Angel Jane.
The Hiker Vortex
Dave spent Saturday, August 28th, camping again at Cascade Locks. Seems while enjoying Trail Days, Dave bought raffle tickets. The raffle started at 4:30 and ended around 6:30. Dave decided to stay the night with Zero, Fire Marshall, and Redman.
Although Dave was looking forward to getting back on the trail today, and regretting that he had not left yesterday, he was rather lucky in the raffle! He said that he won over $300 worth of items, including bladders for his Camelbaks and some certificates. I'll get a full list of items later. He didn't want to talk too long - the trail was not calling his name, but shouting it!
Zero was interviewed yesterday by the Oregonian Newspaper. The picture used, however, is of Fire Marshall and Girl Friday.
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/08/blind_hiker_trevor_thomas_stop.html
The guys have uphill to hike today and the weather looks like rain. Dave has gotten rid of most of his clothing (boxing and sending it forward to Trout Lake due to weight) and is not looking forward to being wet without being able to dry off.
The best part of staying at Cascade Locks last night was that Dave had a chance to rest. He's feeling strong and ready to tackle Washington. Look out Washington, here comes Dave!
Trail Angel Jane
Although Dave was looking forward to getting back on the trail today, and regretting that he had not left yesterday, he was rather lucky in the raffle! He said that he won over $300 worth of items, including bladders for his Camelbaks and some certificates. I'll get a full list of items later. He didn't want to talk too long - the trail was not calling his name, but shouting it!
Zero was interviewed yesterday by the Oregonian Newspaper. The picture used, however, is of Fire Marshall and Girl Friday.
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/08/blind_hiker_trevor_thomas_stop.html
The guys have uphill to hike today and the weather looks like rain. Dave has gotten rid of most of his clothing (boxing and sending it forward to Trout Lake due to weight) and is not looking forward to being wet without being able to dry off.
The best part of staying at Cascade Locks last night was that Dave had a chance to rest. He's feeling strong and ready to tackle Washington. Look out Washington, here comes Dave!
Trail Angel Jane
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Trail Days Cascade Locks
Last night,Friday August 27th, Dave camped at Cascade Locks. He called this morning to share some of his adventure.
He loved hiking Eagle Creek Trail. Here is a web site on Eagle Creek that Dave asked me to share with you.
http://www.portlandhikersfieldguide.org/wiki/Eagle_Creek_to_Tunnel_Falls_Hike
He loved all the waterfalls. The whole area he described as magical. Heading towards Cascade Locks is a paved trail called the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail. Once in town, Dave went directly to the post office. No one gets mail delivered. Everyone in town has a post office box. Dave was given his package and told that the postal worker was taking her lunch and would be back in an hour to let him forward his package to the next resupply location.
While waiting, Dave charged his camera and phone in the post office. A couple of ladies showed up to get their mail (one 94 and one 73). They spent the hour with Dave, telling him about the history of the area. Dave loves history, and enjoyed his time talking with them.
He also had lunch with Donna Saufley. She is one of the Trail Angels who open their homes up to hikers (near Agua Dulce), although Dave, Zero didn't have the chance to stay at her place. Donna was kind enough to offer the boys her hotel room to take a shower and do their laundry. They gladly accepted. They did camp at the Cascade Locks campground. It was free camping this weekend because it was also Trail Days. He's really enjoying his time there. He loved all the geese flying overhead, the barges and ships on the river, and even the trains added to the charm of the area. There are mountains on both sides of the river and everything is green, super green.
Dave described Trail Days as a mini PCT-Kick Off weekend. He said that he would spend a few hours there today, looking at the vendors, and then get back on the trail. It's after 7:00 pm but I've not yet seen his Spot. I'll keep watching. Dave did say that he wasn't sure how much hiking he'd get in today, but wanted to put in as many miles into Washington as he could. He said that Zero, Fire Marshall, and Redman were leaving today also.
The bridge that goes from Cascade Locks in Oregon to Washington is called the "Bridge of the gods". Originally, it was solid rock, a natural occurance. The river rose and it was washed away. Now here is a metal bridge in it's place. Dave really wishes that he was crossing into Canada, not Washington. I've calculated, at 20 miles hiking per day, that Dave will cross into Canada by September 20th. He'll need to get back on the trail in one or two days and then he'll complete the hike no later than October 11th. This date has changed many times, so I'm expecting that we'll adjust that too!
Dave O and Nick - Dave says thanks for the text and comment - Your support and encouragement really means a lot to him!
Trail Angel Jane
He loved hiking Eagle Creek Trail. Here is a web site on Eagle Creek that Dave asked me to share with you.
http://www.portlandhikersfieldguide.org/wiki/Eagle_Creek_to_Tunnel_Falls_Hike
He loved all the waterfalls. The whole area he described as magical. Heading towards Cascade Locks is a paved trail called the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail. Once in town, Dave went directly to the post office. No one gets mail delivered. Everyone in town has a post office box. Dave was given his package and told that the postal worker was taking her lunch and would be back in an hour to let him forward his package to the next resupply location.
While waiting, Dave charged his camera and phone in the post office. A couple of ladies showed up to get their mail (one 94 and one 73). They spent the hour with Dave, telling him about the history of the area. Dave loves history, and enjoyed his time talking with them.
He also had lunch with Donna Saufley. She is one of the Trail Angels who open their homes up to hikers (near Agua Dulce), although Dave, Zero didn't have the chance to stay at her place. Donna was kind enough to offer the boys her hotel room to take a shower and do their laundry. They gladly accepted. They did camp at the Cascade Locks campground. It was free camping this weekend because it was also Trail Days. He's really enjoying his time there. He loved all the geese flying overhead, the barges and ships on the river, and even the trains added to the charm of the area. There are mountains on both sides of the river and everything is green, super green.
Dave described Trail Days as a mini PCT-Kick Off weekend. He said that he would spend a few hours there today, looking at the vendors, and then get back on the trail. It's after 7:00 pm but I've not yet seen his Spot. I'll keep watching. Dave did say that he wasn't sure how much hiking he'd get in today, but wanted to put in as many miles into Washington as he could. He said that Zero, Fire Marshall, and Redman were leaving today also.
The bridge that goes from Cascade Locks in Oregon to Washington is called the "Bridge of the gods". Originally, it was solid rock, a natural occurance. The river rose and it was washed away. Now here is a metal bridge in it's place. Dave really wishes that he was crossing into Canada, not Washington. I've calculated, at 20 miles hiking per day, that Dave will cross into Canada by September 20th. He'll need to get back on the trail in one or two days and then he'll complete the hike no later than October 11th. This date has changed many times, so I'm expecting that we'll adjust that too!
Dave O and Nick - Dave says thanks for the text and comment - Your support and encouragement really means a lot to him!
Trail Angel Jane
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