Dave is within a stone's through of the Columbia trail tonight, August 26th.
He called this morning when he took a break. All along the ridge he was on he had two or three bars on his cell, but also had the message "emergency services only". He sat down and tried calling me again and was happy to have gotten through. He is still hiking through thick forest. He confirmed that Zero was hiking alone and was indeed the hiker at the head of the pack. When Dave stopped last night, Zero was 15 minutes ahead of him. Zero hiked for two additional hours and added 5 to 6 miles. Dave said that he had not seen Fire Marshall. He must have been near, but still a bit behind Dave. Dave has also decided that the PCT is about 1000 miles too long! He can see the end but feels it'll never get here (He repeats this almost every time he and I talk). He needs to walk this hike one day at a time and not think about the end. Dave sounded tired but in good spirits. He knows now that he can emotionally complete this hike. He's just hoping that his body keeps working as good as it has been.
Between PCT mile 2138 and 2155, the PCT hikers have two options. They can continue on the PCT for the 16.5 miles or they can take the Eagle Creek Trail, which is 15.4 miles. According to half Mile, the majority of hikers take the Eagle Creek Trail. Dave also chose this route. Check out PCT Half Mile map Oregon Section G Page 6. Dave is at Eagle Creek Trail mile 6. (Equal to about PCT mile 2144)
http://www.pctmap.net/download/p/mapdl.html
Also check out Dave's Spot:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=45.576,-121.85228&ll=45.576,-121.85228&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
Tomorrow we move onto the Washington maps!
Dave has asked if someone would pass a message on to Eric - Dave will need lots of help when he gets back. He's afraid now that he weighs about 130 lbs. Not only is he down to almost nothing in the way of body fat, but he realizes that he is now losing muscle. He will need Eric's help getting that muscle back.
It looks like Zero is already at or near Cascade Locks at PCT mile 2155, which is the last stop before crossing the Columbia River. Fire Marshall is on the Eagle Creek Trail, near or just behind Dave. Dave and Fire Marshall will be meeting up with Zero tomorrow. I'm sure Zero is so happy to have hiked this last leg by himself. What a great accomplishment!
Trail Angel Jane
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Muddy Fork - Hiker's Bridge
Wednesday, August 25th, Dave's spot came in at 6:45 pm, showing him to be camping at Muddy Fork in the Mt. Hood National Forest. This location is also denoted as Hikerbridge, at PCT mile 2119.5. After packing up camp, he hiked 12.5 miles.
In two days, he should be at the Columbia River, crossing into Washington.
I had also talked to Fire Marshall a bit yesterday. He had mentioned that Zero was looking forward to doing some hiking on his own, yes, all by himself. When I checked their Spot Tracker, I noticed that there were two Spot locations. One was hit a 8:20 pm at PCT mile 2125. The other one was hit at 8:39, and it looks like it is at Muddy Fork with Dave at PCT mile 2119.5. We'll have to wait to find out if it was Zero who is ahead, or if it is Fire Marshall.
Trail Angel Jane
In two days, he should be at the Columbia River, crossing into Washington.
I had also talked to Fire Marshall a bit yesterday. He had mentioned that Zero was looking forward to doing some hiking on his own, yes, all by himself. When I checked their Spot Tracker, I noticed that there were two Spot locations. One was hit a 8:20 pm at PCT mile 2125. The other one was hit at 8:39, and it looks like it is at Muddy Fork with Dave at PCT mile 2119.5. We'll have to wait to find out if it was Zero who is ahead, or if it is Fire Marshall.
Trail Angel Jane
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Timberline Lodge
Dave made it into Timberline Lodge last night, Tuesday August 24th, after hiking 36 miles, the last was a 1600 feet climb. Dave described this lodging as the "base camp" of Mt. Hood.
A bit of trivia; Timberline Lodge is the Hotel used in the Shining - only the exterior, not the interior.
As Dave walked up to the Timberline Lodge, on the stairs sat Zero, Fire Marshall, and Redman. They had a great reunion. The guys stayed in the woods camping, but Dave got himself a room. It was a small room with a window, a sink, and bunk beds. He shared the shower and toilet with some other guests.
Dave called me this morning after a deep night sleep. He was glad to have had a good night sleep, although he said he could have used more sleep. We talked only a short time because he was joining the guys for breakfast. After his meal, he headed to the store to get his packages, and yes, his maps and GPS were there waiting for him! He checked out the GPS and was happy to see the Washington way points. He had been so eager to check out the packages that he left his current maps and books at the breakfast table. The guys always look out for Dave, and had picked them up and gave me a call, not sure if Dave had already left for the trail.
Luckily Dave was out doing laundry and was still around. They all planned on getting on the trail as quickly as possible. Dave and I also re-looked at his Washington resupply locations. He's in need of another fuel resupply, so I headed out to Cabela's this morning to get him some. I need to get that package out now because it'll have to travel across country going ground. I have 4 new packages to get out in the mail tomorrow.
We'll see just how far the guys get tonight. Oh, and Dave O, Dave asked what you thought about him walking through your State in 18 days! Pretty cool! Hopefully more ictures will be posted tonight or tomorrow. Yesterday's post should have read "picture, picture, picture", not plural pictures!
Trail Angel Jane
A bit of trivia; Timberline Lodge is the Hotel used in the Shining - only the exterior, not the interior.
As Dave walked up to the Timberline Lodge, on the stairs sat Zero, Fire Marshall, and Redman. They had a great reunion. The guys stayed in the woods camping, but Dave got himself a room. It was a small room with a window, a sink, and bunk beds. He shared the shower and toilet with some other guests.
Dave called me this morning after a deep night sleep. He was glad to have had a good night sleep, although he said he could have used more sleep. We talked only a short time because he was joining the guys for breakfast. After his meal, he headed to the store to get his packages, and yes, his maps and GPS were there waiting for him! He checked out the GPS and was happy to see the Washington way points. He had been so eager to check out the packages that he left his current maps and books at the breakfast table. The guys always look out for Dave, and had picked them up and gave me a call, not sure if Dave had already left for the trail.
Luckily Dave was out doing laundry and was still around. They all planned on getting on the trail as quickly as possible. Dave and I also re-looked at his Washington resupply locations. He's in need of another fuel resupply, so I headed out to Cabela's this morning to get him some. I need to get that package out now because it'll have to travel across country going ground. I have 4 new packages to get out in the mail tomorrow.
We'll see just how far the guys get tonight. Oh, and Dave O, Dave asked what you thought about him walking through your State in 18 days! Pretty cool! Hopefully more ictures will be posted tonight or tomorrow. Yesterday's post should have read "picture, picture, picture", not plural pictures!
Trail Angel Jane
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Update on Team Far Sight
Zero and Fire Marshall hit their Spot last night at 7:39. They are camping at Timothy Lake at PCT mile 2084.5. I've double checked their spot from the day before where they were camping at Scout Lake. It shows that they hiked 43 miles yesterday and are now ahead of Dave by 10.5 miles.
I'm following Dave's package of maps and GPS. It was processed in Milwaukee yesterday afternoon at 3:00 pm Central Time and is on it's way to Oregon. I'll check it again tonight to keep track of how close it is to getting to Dave on time. Dave is starting today at PCT mile 2073. If he hikes another 26 miles he'll camp tonight around PCT mile 2099. That only leaves 8 miles for him to hike tomorrow. He will end up waiting around for his package if it doesn't arrive until the latest scheduled time of 3:00 pm Wednesday. I'm hoping for a sooner delivery!
I'm following Dave's package of maps and GPS. It was processed in Milwaukee yesterday afternoon at 3:00 pm Central Time and is on it's way to Oregon. I'll check it again tonight to keep track of how close it is to getting to Dave on time. Dave is starting today at PCT mile 2073. If he hikes another 26 miles he'll camp tonight around PCT mile 2099. That only leaves 8 miles for him to hike tomorrow. He will end up waiting around for his package if it doesn't arrive until the latest scheduled time of 3:00 pm Wednesday. I'm hoping for a sooner delivery!
Monday, August 23, 2010
Mt. Hood in the distance
Tonight, Monday August 23rd, Dave's Spot came in at 7:12 pm. Typically, there is a body of water or a mountain that he is near, so checking out the PCT Half Mile maps makes it pretty easy to find where he is camping. Tonight he's surrounded by dirt country roads, and I'm having issues matching up his Spot to the Half Mile maps.
I see that he is near W250 road and 42 road, so I'm placing him at approximately PCT mile 2073. That would have him hiking 26 miles today. Check out PCT Half Mile maps Oregon Section F page 13.
http://www.pctmap.net/download/p/mapdl.html
You can also check out his Spot on Google Maps:
http://www.findmespot.com/mylocation/?id=3KWCL/44.9832/\-121.72513
My Dad got me to the Post Office today and we mailed Dave's maps for the first portion of Washington and his GPS with all the Way Points for the remainder of the trip. Due to the location we were sending it, the Post Office could not guarantee overnight - but it will be delivered by Wednesday at 3:00 pm. According to Dave's hiking mileage, the package should be there before he gets there (There is Timberline Lodge at PCT mile 2107). I'll be tracking the package to insure it's there. I'm also going to call the Lodge and ask them to put a note on the package that is already there for him (fuel, food, batteries) and let him know that the GPS will be there (just in case he gets in early).
It is now 7:44 and Team Far Sight has not yet signed in. I'll check a bit later and give an update. I've told Dave I'll be watching them so he can call in and check up on them. He's felt bad going ahead and not seeing them - he was so used to seeing them every day. Knowing where they are and that they are safe makes him feel better.
Looking at the big picture of where Dave is, he was near Bend, Oregon last Wednesday and is approaching Mt. Hood. I'm sure he can see it from where he is. Portland is to the West/North West of him.
Trail Angel Jane
I see that he is near W250 road and 42 road, so I'm placing him at approximately PCT mile 2073. That would have him hiking 26 miles today. Check out PCT Half Mile maps Oregon Section F page 13.
http://www.pctmap.net/download/p/mapdl.html
You can also check out his Spot on Google Maps:
http://www.findmespot.com/mylocation/?id=3KWCL/44.9832/\-121.72513
My Dad got me to the Post Office today and we mailed Dave's maps for the first portion of Washington and his GPS with all the Way Points for the remainder of the trip. Due to the location we were sending it, the Post Office could not guarantee overnight - but it will be delivered by Wednesday at 3:00 pm. According to Dave's hiking mileage, the package should be there before he gets there (There is Timberline Lodge at PCT mile 2107). I'll be tracking the package to insure it's there. I'm also going to call the Lodge and ask them to put a note on the package that is already there for him (fuel, food, batteries) and let him know that the GPS will be there (just in case he gets in early).
It is now 7:44 and Team Far Sight has not yet signed in. I'll check a bit later and give an update. I've told Dave I'll be watching them so he can call in and check up on them. He's felt bad going ahead and not seeing them - he was so used to seeing them every day. Knowing where they are and that they are safe makes him feel better.
Looking at the big picture of where Dave is, he was near Bend, Oregon last Wednesday and is approaching Mt. Hood. I'm sure he can see it from where he is. Portland is to the West/North West of him.
Trail Angel Jane
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Mt. Hood National Forest - Breitenbush campground
Dave's Spot came in today at 5:10 pm, Sunday August 22nd. He is camping near Breitenbush Lake, possibly at the Brietenbush Campground at PCT mile 2047. Dave hiked approximately 22 miles today. Check out PCT Half Mile map Oregon Section F page 9.
http://www.pctmap.net/download/p/mapdl.html
Check out Dave's Spot on Google maps:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=44.76622,-121.78365&ll=44.76622,-121.78365&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
It continues to look like Dave will hit Washington by Friday. Dave has requested that I download new way points onto his GPS. Sadly, just prior to sending it to me, it got run over by a pickup truck after it slipped off of Dave's backpack. I received the GPS in the mail and tried to download the way points, but it was too damaged. I was ale to pick up a new GPS (same model) and have spent the day attempting to get the way points on the GPS. After a few hours of reading manuals, fighting with lack of information, I believe the GPS is now ready to be overnighted to Dave. Keep your fingers crossed that I've done this successfully!
Zero and Fire Marshall's Spot came in just prior to 7:00 tonight. They are camping near Scout Lake at PCT mile 2041. See the above PCT Half Mile map URL and go to Oregon Section F page 8. The guys are only 6 miles behind Dave and gaining.
Trail Angel Jane
http://www.pctmap.net/download/p/mapdl.html
Check out Dave's Spot on Google maps:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=44.76622,-121.78365&ll=44.76622,-121.78365&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
It continues to look like Dave will hit Washington by Friday. Dave has requested that I download new way points onto his GPS. Sadly, just prior to sending it to me, it got run over by a pickup truck after it slipped off of Dave's backpack. I received the GPS in the mail and tried to download the way points, but it was too damaged. I was ale to pick up a new GPS (same model) and have spent the day attempting to get the way points on the GPS. After a few hours of reading manuals, fighting with lack of information, I believe the GPS is now ready to be overnighted to Dave. Keep your fingers crossed that I've done this successfully!
Zero and Fire Marshall's Spot came in just prior to 7:00 tonight. They are camping near Scout Lake at PCT mile 2041. See the above PCT Half Mile map URL and go to Oregon Section F page 8. The guys are only 6 miles behind Dave and gaining.
Trail Angel Jane
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