September 17-21, 2022 0 miles Seattle, Washington I wake up on the morning of September 17 in the ranger cabin feeling groggy. I don't know why, but the quality of sleep I've experienced on the PCT is far lower than on the AT. It could have something to do with the fact that my sleeping …
September 15, 2022 Bridge Creek Campground at mile 2577.8 to Rainy Pass at mile 2592.1 14.3 miles I wake up slow. There’s no need to go fast, not anymore. I pack up my tent and move all my stuff over to the picnic table, where I eat breakfast: part of one of the cinnamon rolls …
September 14, 2022 Stehekin to Bridge Creek Campground at mile 2577.8 4.9 miles Today is an odd mix of relaxing and chaos. We think the shop opens at 9, so we sleep in way later than usual, which is pleasant. After we pack all our stuff up and go back down to the deck to …
Continue reading PCT Day 149: Chaotic Planning and the Last Night on the PCT
September 13, 2022 Campsite at mile 2558.1 to Stehekin 14.8 miles It’s not as damp as I expect it to be when I wake up. It’s still cloudy, but I don’t think it rained last night. I hear Jumbo rummaging around and, although I’m not ready to actually move yet, I rouse myself enough to …
September 12, 2022 Mile 2538.5 to campsite at mile 2558.1 19.6 miles It’s raining when we wake this morning. Usually, the sun wakes us up naturally, but today, we have to motivate ourselves a little harder than usual. This is what Washington is supposed to feel like, I think: cool, misty, mysterious. Once we’re packed …
September 11, 2022 Mile 2519.7 to mile 2538.5 18.8 miles Jumbo is still quiet this morning, which means he’s still hurting just as much as he was last night. I understand the feeling. Even though we’ve been getting really decent nights of sleep recently, our bodies are just simply done. We slowly start moving. It’s …
Continue reading PCT Day 146: Blowdown City and the Marmot King
September 8, 2022 Leavenworth to Stevens Pass to campsite at mile 2481.2 16 miles I do not want to leave this amazing bed. No, no, no. I’m more tired than I’ve ever been. I hobble when I start moving. I am one with this mattress, these pillows. Movement? No thanks. But then it’s 6:50, and …
September 5, 2022 Campsite at mile 2418.7 to campsite at mile 2438.8 20.1 miles “Are you getting up?” “I mean, yeah. I have to pee.” Jumbo makes his eyebrows do that thing that’s simultaneously sad and entreating and endearing. I sigh. “Yes, I’ll get your food bag.” “YAYE!” I’m pretty sure he’s learned this pronunciation, …
Continue reading PCT Day 140: Everything Hurts And I’m Dying
September 4, 2022 Campsite at mile 2397.8 to campsite at mile 2418.7 21 miles This morning is beautiful, but I’m not thrilled about finishing this climb. Jumbo and I pack up lethargically and then start moving slowly up the slope like two old, broken-down machines. We warm up around the time we see Tribute chilling …
September 3, 2022 Mirror Lake at mile 2385.6 to campsite at mile 2397.8, with a stop in Snoqualmie Pass 12.2 miles Wait, I just realized that the title of this post sounds like a band name. A little clunky? Maybe. Maybe they play butt rock with plastic hardware store buckets. Maybe it’s experimental jazz, the …
Continue reading PCT Day 138: Snoqualmie and the Bad News Bears
Sarahmarie Specht-Bird 