So Far Completes the CDT

So Far in New Mexico

So Far, one of my Continental Divide Trail hiking partners from last year, finally finished the CDT today.  Congratulations to you So Far!  Now that you have completed the Pacific Crest and Continental Divide Trails, you are now fully prepared for the rigors and high adventure of the Appalachian Trail.  Mmmmmm... Yeah!  Portland awaits your return to civilization.  Safe travels, and I will see you soon.

Osprey Envoy: Sage Clegg (CDT Hiker)

I was just checking out the blogosphere, and I ran into Osprey's Envoys, and I noticed that one of them hiked the CDT this past year.  Her name is Sage Clegg, and she just recently finished her hike.   She posted her experience of being home a week after her hike, and I was certainly taken back to the feelings of re-adjustment I had after I finished the CDT.  Certainly, when I finished, I was relieved, but it didn't take long before I was feeling the itch to get back out on the trail again.  Sage is feeling the same way.  The good news is that she did something about it: she went to Maine.  Go Sage!

By the way, if one becomes an Osprey Envoy, does that mean he/she can inherit a sweet Exos pack?  Hmmmm...

Panorama From Max Patch

I am experimenting with a panorama making application on my computer. Unfortunately, I don't think that it will save the pictures ar a big file. I you know of a good, easy panorama stitcher that is easy to use for a Mac computer, then let me know. Otherwise, enjoy the view from Max Patch!

Panoramic view from Max Patch on the Appalachian Trail (Click to see larger image).

2010 CDT Hiking Video

I just saw this little video nugget posted by Rudy "Cupcake" Guenaire. Excellently done video... Check it out!

Recent Rains in Oregon Open and Close the PCT

Photo provided by blatantgizmo on Flickr.com

While I have been away from Oregon on my small Appalachian Trail adventure, Oregon has been pounded by early rain. My friend, Sweet Potato described the rains as "monsoon-like," and he mentioned that he had some water leak into his basement. From what I have seen the rains will subside for September 21-22, just in time for my return to Oregon!

I got word from PCTA Regional Representative, Dana Berthold, that the recent rains have closed parts of the PCT around Mount Hood. In a communique to the Mt. Hood Chapter of the PCTA, Dana says:

"The heavy rains of recent days have caused new landslide activity in the Zig Zag canyon. The PCT is currently impassable to stock, and dangerous for hikers. The FS hopes to get an emergency crew out to improve the trail enough for hikers, but, for stock a more long term solution will need to be implemented, likely next summer. (This slide area is near the same spot where a new bridge to repair an older slide had just been installed.)"

It sounds like a two steps forward, and one step back situation for trail maintainers who just put in that bridge. I will be eager to know when trail crews will venture into the canyon to begin trail work, as I would be eager to jump into the action. Hmmmmm...

On the same note, I also read a report that the recent rains have re-opened the PCT in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness, which had been closed due to the Pyramid Butte Fire. Apparently, you win some, and you lose some. Safe hiking out there folks!

ALDHA - West is this Weekend

The 15th Annual gathering of ALDHA-West is this weekend (September 24-26) at Camp Morning Star in Angelus Oaks, California.  Apparently, this is the first time that ALDHA-West will be gathering in southern California.  I have read through the grapevine (Facebook) that there are a lot of hiker trash and some trail angels (including the Andersons) that will be there this weekend. 

One of these days, I will make it there, but I get a feeling I will only make after I have fully completed the PCT, and my Triple Crown.  I am just 38-miles shy!  Nonetheless, I keep hearing great things about the event, and I should make it a priority to head there once a year.  That said, I already have ADZPCTKO and PCT Days in Cascade Locks on list for the year, and I just cannot make all the trail events.  Where are my priorities?

Anyway, for your viewing pleasure, here's a video of Nimblewill Nomad getting his Triple Crown Award back in 2008.  Enjoy!

Hit and Miss Ready to Finish the AT

First AT southbounders, Hit and Miss on top of Max Patch

While out on a 70-mile section hike on the Appalachian Trail, I ran into Hit and Miss, a young couple from New York, on top of clear and scenic Max Patch. Both of them had identical, ultralight backpacks that I had never seen before - Miss stitched them together - and I had no idea that they were southbounders on the AT, since I thought September 14th was too early to see southbounders.  However, after some questioning, they told me that they are the front of the pack, and that they were planning to finish in ten days. Cool!

I asked them if there was anyone behind them (I figured that someone has to be chasing the leader!), but they told me that they were unaware of anyone right behind them.  They told me that they would welcome other hikers to join them for the march to Springer Mountain to have some different company.

Band of brothers from Virginia, Toothpick and Thrillbilly

About 6-hours later I ran into the chasers at Walnut Mountain Shelter: Toothpick and Thrillbilly.  The two are brothers from Virginia, and they started their AT hike three weeks after Hit and Miss started their hike from Mt. Katahdin on May 27th - to say that they are hustling to catch them is an understatement!  I told Toothpick and Thrillbilly that they were about a half day behind Hit and Miss, and that they had planned on camping near Davenport Gap that night.  Also told them that they planned on arriving to Fontana Dam on Friday the 17th, and Toothpick's eyes lit up.  He and Thrillbilly had the same plans to arrive in Fontana by Friday.

I wonder if Toothpick and Thrillbilly caught up with them.  I wonder if Hit and Miss really don't mind the company for the last 7-days of their journey.  I wonder if there really will be a genuine race to the top of Springer.  Hmmmm... I can't wait to hear how it unfolds.  Good luck to you Hit and Miss, and Toothpick and Thrillbilly.  Enjoy the rest of the trail, and congratulations on completing the Appalachian Trail!