Anything for a Mile

A 5AM alarm is never easy. Especially when it’s raining and I’m nice and warm and dry inside. Pole Dancer, Buenas Noches, and Bear pulled up just before 6:00 to join us for the 5 hour road trip from Seattle to Hart’s Pass. I put on an indie rock road trip playlist and we hit the road.

The entire drive I kept hoping the rain would let up. The further we went, the more it rained, and the colder it got. We kept climbing higher in elevation up the long, winding dirt road. By the time we got to the trailhead, it was snowing. Great. I put on my rain jacket and rain pants and braved the chill knowing that if I kept moving I would stay warm. It worked, and slowly but surely the rain and snow and cold let up just a little.

It was surreal to be hiking the last stretch, threading the needle between Ptarmigan fire closures. Every junction I passed was taped off with neon pink tape and signs warning of fire danger. Even through the cold and rain, smoke filled the air. It wasn’t overwhelming, but it was there. A constant reminder of how lucky we are to have narrowly missed the all encompassing smoke others before us experienced, and be one of the first few to have the opportunity to reach the terminus.

We passed a lot of hikers who were heading south back to Hart’s Pass. Thru hikers are no longer able to apply for a visa to enter Canada through Manning Park. Instead, we will touch the terminus, and turn around to backtrack 30 miles southbound. It’s kind of a blessing in disguise because you get to do somewhat of a victory lap. You get to celebrate with and cheer on hikers you haven’t seen in weeks.

Since the trail hasn’t been traveled since July, a series of rock slides added a new challenge to the terrain. I was so afraid of misstepping and sliding down the steep cliff side. My legs were slightly shaking as I carefully placed each step. I was frustrated, feeling like I’ve proven to myself that I’m a strong hiker, and that I’ve overcome so many obstacles before. Yet here I am, about 20 miles from the end of the PCT, still scared to walk along these rock slides.

I’ve adopted this motto, when the trail gets tough or I get tired, I tell myself I can do anything for just a mile. I checked FarOut and saw that not only was it less than a mile more of rock, it was about a mile to camp and the end of my day. I could do it.

As the sun set, the clouds slightly broke and gave us a pretty sunset. I set up my tent and crawled into my quilt immediately to escape the cold. I heated up a mushroom risotto backpacking meal to warm me up, and got cozy for the night. Tomorrow’s the day. Canada, here I come.