June 26, 2025 Campsite at mile 2647.3 to northern terminus at the Canadian border (Nobo mi 2655.8; Sobo mi 0), then back to Hopkins Lake (Nobo mi 2649.4; Sobo mi 6.4) 14.9 miles It’s a pretty morning when I wake just before 6. Mixed clouds and sunlight again. I lay down after my routine early …
June 25, 2025 Windy Pass to campsite at mile 2647.3 16.9 miles This morning feels nice. Chilly but not frigidly cold. I slept just okay last night; it could have been worse, but my hips and back still hurt. But no matter. I have my hot coffee and breakfast wraps. The stream rising from the …
Continue reading PCT Day 155: Ground Squirrels, Pikas, and Marmots, Oh My!
June 24, 2025 Glacier Pass to Windy Pass 15.1 miles I’m awake long before my alarm again. Either I’m still on east coast time or the light wakes me up or both, but either way I don’t mind much today because I actually slept really well. Of course, there were still the obligatory moments when …
June 23, 2025 Campsite below Cutthroat Pass at NOBO mile 2599.5 to Glacier Pass 15.8 miles It gets light early, just before 5, and I’m awake again. It usually takes me a while to get used to sleeping in my tent and on a sleeping pad again, so I’m not surprised that I was awake …
June 22, 2025 Rainy Pass to campsite below Cutthroat Pass at NOBO mile 2599.5 5.2 miles My heart skips a beat when the sign comes into view. “North Cascades Scenic Highway - Rainy Pass Picnic Area.” The base is stone, emblazoned with a metal Forest Service logo. The mountains behind it are jagged and snow-flanked, …
August 1, 2024 Auberge Mont Blanc in Trient to Auberge la Boerne in Tré-le-Champ 8.6 miles I’m impressed with Auberge Mont Blanc. It’s enormous, but they still manage to provide hikers with everything they need. Enough showers with hot water and good water pressure? Check. Friendly employees and a nice bar? Check. A buffet breakfast …
July 26, 2024 Les Chapieux to Rifugio Elisabetta 8.6 miles When I poke my head out of my tent this morning, Grace’s first question is “Coffee?” Man, it’s nice hiking with a fellow caffeine addict in a country with copious coffee. We start with some camp coffee though—to be followed by coffee at the store …
July 25, 2024 Les Contamines to Les Champieux (camp) 12.4 miles Breakfast at the refuge this morning reminds me deeply of the albergue breakfasts on the Camino. It’s self-serve style, and it includes coffee, cereal with milk, fresh bread which can be toasted, an assortment of jams, and yogurt. We sit with the same family …
July 24, 2024 Les Houches to Les Contamines 13.3 miles Today is the day! We are off to start the TMB and discover what this alpine circuit has in store. After another extravagant RockyPop breakfast, we pack up and walk back down to the main square for photos at the official start sign. There’s another …
July 15, 2024 Canal Park in Duluth to mile 262.8 4.6 miles hiked Staying in town for one last night means, obviously, that we do not get an early start. For one, it’s Machine’s birthday, and I wake up early and attempt to subtly decorate the room before he wakes up. Back in Two Harbors, …
Sarahmarie Specht-Bird 