UrichCamp - Urich Camp at Government Meadow

Dave's Spot came in tonight around 7:00 pm. He is at PCT mile 2355.5, camping at or near Urich Camp at Government Meadow. It looks like he hiked 14.2 miles today. You can check out PCT Half Mile maps Washington Section I page 8.

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

I'm not sure why only 14 miles were completed today. If you look at the last pages on the Half Mile maps Section I, under page 8 you can see the elevation gain and loss. It looks like Dave had a relatively flat hike today. It could be that the weather was bad and he needed to dry off. This week is going to be full of rain for him!

You can also see Dave's Google Map Spot location at the following link:

http://www.findmespot.com/mylocation/?id=3RCmC/47.08938/\-121.39572

It looks like Zero, Fire Marshall, and Redhead have caught up with Dave. Their Spot came in at the same time Dave's did and their Google maps are almost identical. They are about 1/2 mile from Naches Trail. I Expressed mailed Zero his clothes today that he had requested. They are not scheduled to hit Snoqualmie Pass until Thursday, which is at PCT mile 2402. Dave thought he'd get their tomorrow afternoon, but now it will most likely be Thursday.

Dave is needing fuel and he should get it when he arrives in Snoqualmie. He's been using campfires to cook food, saving his fuel. Two nights ago, he ran into some scouts who had a fire. He asked if he could warm up by their fire, and they invited him to stay. He even was able to cook over their fire. Zero, too, is running low on fuel. I've forwarded some to him to the stop after Snoqualmie. Hopefully, he'll have enough fuel to last him.

Trail Angel Jane

Labor Day on the PCT - near Basin Lake, WA

Dave's Spot came in around 7:25 pm Labor Day, September 6th. He is camping at PCT mile 2341.3, just prior to Scout Pass Trail junction. He called prior to the end of his hiking with very spotty cell phone service. He let me know that although he was tired and wanted to stop for the day, he had to keep going because he needed water. He had some, so he didn't have to reach water, but Dave is thorough. He has never run out of water because water is always on his mind. He's not taking any chances. We'll see, next time he calls, if he located that water he was looking for!

Check out Dave's Spot on Google maps:

http://www.findmespot.com/mylocation/?id=3QpOM/46.94709/\-121.453

You can check out his location on the PCT Half Mile maps Washington Section I page 6.

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

Zero, Fire Marshall, and Redhead hit their Spot about two minutes after Dave hit his tonight. They are camping at PCT mile 2334.2 at the south end of Sheep Lake. You can check out their location at the PCT Half Mile maps Washington Section I page 5. The boys are separated by 7 miles. It's great to see that they are staying really close - 7 miles is only 2-3 hours of hiking.

Trail Angel Jane

More rain - heading towards Snoqualmie Pass

Dave's Spot came in at 7:47 pm, Sunday August 5th. He has passed Twin Sisters Lake and is at approximately PCT mile 2321.5. He was aiming for at least 15 miles today, estimating that leaving town later would not leave him enough time to hike his normal 25 miles. He also said that his pack was always heavier on the first day out of a town. However, it looks like he did 18.5 miles. You can check out the PCT Half Mile maps Washington Section I page 3.

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

You can also see the Google Map from tonight's spot:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=46.74804,-121.41901&ll=46.74804,-121.41901&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

When I talked to him this morning he told me that he had forgotten to mention the wildlife that he had seen recently. First there was the bobcat, then the elk and deer. Two nights ago he say a herd of Mountain Goats. The goats were not too disturbed by Dave when he set up camp near them. Although the weather was suppose to be sunny but cold, as Dave was getting on the trail it was drizzling rain. As Dave O said, go figure - rain in Washington! True words Dave O!

It looks like Zero, Fire Marshall, and I believe Redhead, hiked into White Pass today for resupplies. The got right back on the trail and hit their Spot at 7:13 pm. They are camping on the north side of Beusch Lake at PCT mile 2309. Zero's friend Lane called me and told me that Zero is cold. (Dave too mentioned that it was so miserably cold). Zero had sent some items to our house from the trai - things that were not needed and too heavy to keep with him. I'll be going through these items tomorrow and get them in the mail for Zero - hopefully to be at their next location - Snoqualmie Pass on Thursday of this week. We must keep our hikers as happy as we can to help them complete this adventure!

Trail Angel Jane

White Pass

Dave called in tonight, Saturday August 4th. He was just reaching the road that he would walk for a 1/2 mile into White Pass (small town of Naches, WA). He was looking forward to getting a room, hot shower, and a bed to sleep on, but he was worried about this being Labor Day weekend and all the rooms being taken. White Pass is at PCT mile 2303. Dave was happy to check off another hundred miles!

See the PCT Half Mile Map Washington Section H page 20.

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

Today's hike was one for the books. He hiked over "Great Rocks" at about 7,000 feet. This area is full of shale and loose rocks, and has very steep slopes on both sides of the trail. Normally, this wouldn't be an issue, but the gusting winds and white out conditions (not snow - he was hiking in the clouds) made the trip very perilous. The wind knocked him off his feet at one point. There were several miles of this hiking, but Dave made it through to tell his story.

Getting into town, we hung up and I waited for his call once he was settled and knew where he'd be sleeping. Dave met up with Green Tortuga and is sharing a room with him tonight. Have a look at Greet Tortuga's web page: www.anotherlongwalk.com

Dave had picked up his resupply packages but didn't find any fuel. I've sent so many packages that I've lost track of where I've sent fuel. I thought I had sent some fuel to this location from California, but I'm thinking that Dave may have two fuels at his next location at Snoqulmie Pass on Wednesday. He thinks he has enough fuel to get him through the next couple of days.

Dave has 357 miles (approximately) to Manning Park in Canada. His goal is currently 25 miles per day. At this rate it will take him 14-15 days to reach Manning Park. If he travels 20 miles per day it will take him 17-18 days. The average puts him at getting into Manning Park on the 20th as previously estimated.

Weather.com is saying that he'll have cold but sunny days Sunday and Monday, with Rain on Tuesday for White Pass. The weather for Snoqulmie also shows rain for Wednesday, but sun for Thursday and showers Friday. Most of the rain days are only 30% chance of rain. These rain showers should not bother Dave too much - the thunder showers were what soaked him. He also has gotten some large garbage bags to doubly protect his gear. This coming week will be a challenge for Dave. Keep him in your prayers!

Dave ran into a hiker today who had passed Zero, Fire Marshall, and Redhead and reported them doing well. The guys hit their Spot tonight at 7:30. There were two Spots received tonight from them. It looks like they are still not camping together. It could be that Zero is having fun hiking alone again. They are camping near / around Lutz Lake which is at PCT mile 2290. You can check out PCT Half Mile map Washington Section H page 18. They should arrive at White Pass (town of Naches, WA) tomorrow early to mid day. Dave will be calling in the morning to find out where the guys are. They are all hoping to cross into Canada together or at least close together.

Trail Angel Jane

Crispus River

Dave's Spot came in at 7:10 pm, Friday September 3rd. He is camping near the Crispus River in the Snoqualmie National Forest at PCT mile 2280.5 at about 6,000 feet. He hiked approximately 23 miles today. He has another 23.5 miles to hike tomorrow into Naches, Washington at White Pass. I'm sure he's been carrying to much food - and will have new resupply food tomorrow. After I had sent out his resupply packages, he called and told me that he'd be hiking less miles each day and would need additional food. He's now keeping to his original schedule. I'd rather have him get more food than less food!

Check out the PCT Half Mile maps, Washington Section H page 17.

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

You can also see his Spot location on Google Maps:

http://www.findmespot.com/mylocation/?id=3PIvR/46.49018/\-121.43468

We had not heard from, nor seen a Spot for Zero, Fire Marshall, and Redhead. Finally, last night around 8:30, they hit their Spot. They were camping at approximately PCT mile 2248. They were just west of Mt. Adams, following the White Salmon River, although according to the Spots, they did not camp together. One Spot was at PCT mile 2241, approximately 4,850 feet. The other Spot was at PCT mile 2242, approximately 5,000 feet. You can see where they are on the PCT Half Mile maps Washington Section H page 12.

Since it's not even 8:00 in the West Coast, I didn't expect to see their Spot quite yet. We'll keep watching for them. I'm thinking they'll get into White Pass late tomorrow night or sometime on Sunday. We'll keep tracking them.

Trail Angel Jane

Muddy Fork - Lava Spring???

Dave's Spot came in tonight, Thursday September 2nd, at 7:50 pm. He is camping between Muddy Fork and Lava Spring at a campground at PCT mile 2257.5. When Dave called me this morning, he told me that he wanted to hike 20 miles today. He was getting a late start because he found a kind soul to get him back the 13.8 miles to the trail. When he's on the trail, he gets out early. When he's in town, he takes what help he can get, but that means getting out later on the trail than normal.

Check out PCT Half Mile map Washington Section H page 14.

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

Here is the link to his Spot's Google map:

http://www.findmespot.com/mylocation/?id=3OsAU/46.30442/\-121.51308

He's camping next to an old lava flow. His goal is to get into his next resupply location, White Pass, by Saturday.

It's been a couple nights since Zero and Fire Marshall have hit their Spot. Dave has left messages on the trail for them, but is afraid the rain may have washed them away. We believe the guys were in town last night and maybe they've not yet stopped for the night. I'll keep looking for their Spot.

It was such a pleasure to hear Dave sound so good again this morning. He was complaining about all the food I had sent him, and that his pack was so heavy, but at least he has warm clothing and plenty of food. I reminded him to eat the heavy food first! He has several boxes of food and supplies waiting for him in White Pass at the Kracker Barrel Store. The last package I sent him has new medium weight wool socks, cookies, and more oatmeal.

Trail Angel Jane

Trout Lake - Dave is back!

Well, what a difference a day makes.

Dave slept well last night even though it stormed all night. Everything he had was either damp or wet, but his down kept him warm. He didn't stay in his tent until the rain moved on, but he got up and hiked the 10 miles to road 23. There he found three other hikers. Before long, a car came by and offered them a ride, but only had room for three. Since Dave was in last, he stayed behind. The driver said that he'd come back for Dave. Dave had hoped that Zero, Fire Marshall, and Redhead would show up by then. After 45 minutes, a truck came by and gave Dave a ride into Trout Lake. There was no sign of the guys.

Last night, the other guys stopped around 9:40 and were about 5 miles behind Dave. Dave figures that they will show up sometime tonight in town. Dave is staying at a motel about a mile outside of town where a handful of other hikers are staying. Laundry is almost done, packages have been picked up, the backpack needs to be repacked, warm clothes are being worn, and a new attitude is surrounding Dave. He said that the continuous rain dampened his spirits. Dave is looking forward to getting on the trail early tomorrow and already has a ride set up to get him back to the trail. There isn't rain in the forecast until Tuesday. Dave is hoping to put some miles between him and the rain.

And so, the hike continues... with a smile. Dave thanks everyone for their prayers. He askes them to keep on coming. (He's asking for minimal rain.) I thank everyone for their prayers. After my conversation with Dave last night I was worried, as much for his emotional well being as for his health. He's promised that his health is great. The emotions are up and down, but thankfully more up than down.

Dave didn't hit his spot tonight, but he is at Trout Lake. He left the trail at PCT mile 2237, at road 23, and is another 13.8 miles into town.

Trail Angel Jane