PCT Day 82, above Dorothy Lake to small lake below Seavey Pass, 22 miles
Success is getting what you want, happiness is wanting what you get. – Ingrid Bergman It was not the best of nights. I am cold even wearing all my clothes, and using a liner inside the quilt. The alicoop has a coat of ice, the water bottle is chunky and frost covers my mini-meadow above […]
PCT Day 81, Sonora Pass (Kennedy Meadows North) to Dorothy Lake Pass, 20 miles
I don’t want to get to the end of my life and find that I lived just the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well. – Diane Ackerman My day started early as the resort crew was up before 6:00. I cuddled on the couch in the lobby […]
PCT Day 80, Astounding view to Sonora Pass, 11 miles
Once you figure out what respect tastes like, it tastes better than attention. – Pink The day opens pink, cold and just a shudder of wind on the alicoop. I’m in an exposed spot and taking my chances, challenging the wind in my mind to return. Of course, I will lose this fight. But my night […]
PCT Day 79, Eagle Creek to Cliff with Astounding View, 26 miles
If you look at what you have in life, you’ll always have more. If you look at what you don’t have in life, you’ll never have enough. – Oprah Winfrey The night is cold even if I melt the snow under the tent. My breath gets the top of the quilt wet and I would be […]
PCT Day 78, Lost Lakes to Eagle Creek, 17 miles
Do you want to meet the love of your life? Look in the mirror. – Byron Katie The Sierra welcomes me with intense, gusting wind all night, the alicoop shuddering and rattling, but she’s still upright and I’m cozy and warm. It’s a cold morning and clear – so far – as I get breakfast […]
PCT Day 77, Highway 50 to Lost Lakes, 21 miles
Don’t compromise yourself. You are all you’ve got. There is no yesterday, no tomorrow, it’s all the same day. – Janis Joplin I want to establish this rule right from the outset – always, at all times, take earplugs with you wherever you go You will never regret it. We can, for the most part, […]
PCT Day 76, Middle Velma Lake to Highway 50 (South Lake Tahoe) 19 miles
I try to live in a little bit of my own joy and not let people steal it or take it. —Hoda Kotb The purple sky reflects on the lake as I slowly wake up. It’s not too cold packing and eating before I head off from this soulful spot. Granite slabs of rock heaved […]
PCT Day 75, Five Lakes Trail Junction to Middle Velma Lake, 26 miles (+3)
The best protection any woman can have is courage. – Elizabeth Cady Stanton It’s a perfect morning, waking in a cozy bed cuddled up with a Swiss duvet. Ursula offers me eggs, bacon, toast, cereal and coffee. Yes, please! Alain arrives early ready to hike up to the ridge in his La Sportiva boots and […]
PCT Day 74, ‘slackpack’ Highway 40 ‘Donner Pass’ to Five Lakes Trail Junction (Alpine Meadows), 17 miles + 3 miles
Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring. – Marilyn Monroe It is so nice to awaken in Jayne’s beautiful, soulful home. She takes Ruby out and begins cooking the most awesome breakfast burrito ever, while I organize the bear box, warm gear and new La Sportivas […]
PCT Day 73, Mules Ear Creek to Highway 40 (Truckee) 26 miles
Every moment wasted looking back keeps us from moving forward. – Hillary Clinton It’s cold now. I sleep in all my clothes and wrap my raincoat over my legs and do just fine. Richard has sent a liner and merino and I hope it’s enough for the high altitude I’ll walk. An animal came close […]
