DATE: July 3 – July 7
START: Crater Lake Mazama Village
FINISH: A couple of miles beyond Big Lake Youth Camp
DISTANCE: 172.5 miles (277.6 km)
DAILY AVERAGE: 34.5 miles (55.5 km)
TOTAL DISTANCE: 2002.9 miles ( 3805.5 km)
HIGHLIGHTS:
Crater Lake: Simply one of the earth’s great natural wonders. But, wow, what a difference five years make! In 2007 there was not a snow flake within cooee, whereas this time around I was postholing up the wazoo, Mexican kids were building snowmen and old grannies were offering me rum-laced apple cider from orange and black thermos’.
Three Sisters: Majestic snow-capped peaks and moon-like lava landscapes combine to form one of the most memorable sections of trail on the PCT.
Speed Stick: Headed into Bend, OR, to catch up with an old friend from my 2007 PCT hike, Mary “Speed Stick” Moynihan. It was my first time visiting the town, and although I didn’t see much apart from the inside of a couple of microbreweries/bars, I had a fantastic time. Thanks for your wonderful hospitality, Mary!
LOWLIGHTS:
Mosquitos: Hordes of the little blighters were hatching as I made my way through the lakes area between Shelter Cove and Elk Lake. What a wonderful piece of equipment is the headnet! A little sanctuary of mesh surrounded by the buzzing madness of a million tiny blood thirsty assassins! Don’t take my word for it, see the following You Tube video for visual confirmation: http://youtu.be/7KXTmCIJ9Hs
