lukeludwig

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Pacific Crest Trail, August 2007

I did a solo backpack for 10 days and 200 miles on the Pacific Northwest Trail and Pacific Crest Trail in northern Washington. From Ross Lake I went east 30 miles to the PCT at Holman Pass and then south 170 miles to Highway 2
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Day 4: I saw a hawk with a large ground squirrel in its talons, 15 feet in front of me flying at eye level
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Day 4: I saw a hawk with a large ground squirrel in its talons, 15 feet in front of me flying at eye level

  • Day 1: Saying goodbye to Becca at the trailhead. Clean and ready to hit the trail.
  • Day 1: Twelve miles north along Ross Lake.
  • Day 1: I turned east and did another 5 miles, straight up, gaining 4000-5000 feet towards Devil's Dome. A lot of work with a 35 pound pack. I was carrying food for 13 days.
  • Day 1: Camping at a pass just below Devil's Dome. A large creature, bear or deer, continuously approached my tent at night. I could hear it running away, but never saw it.
  • Day 2: A misty morning up high. I ate breakfast on top of Devil's Dome with gorgeous views.
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  • Day 2: Jack Mountain in the distance.
  • Day 2: A large black bear browsing below me. I did 17 miles this day, the final two on the PCT.
  • Day 2: Camped beside the trail without water again. Had several deer browsing within 10 feet of my tarptent throughout the night. They seem to like the salt in my urine.
  • Day 3: Another 17 miles this day, all of which was up high on the mountain ridges. Relaxing the feet, which were dry all day for the first time on the trip.
  • Day 3: Typical trail along the mountainside. Passed Harts Pass, a popular day hiking trail head.
  • Day 3: Finished early by 4:00. Washed up by creek which felt almost as good as a real bath!
  • Day 4: Did a long 23 mile today. Gorgeous scenery, primarily up high.
  • Day 4: I saw a hawk with a large ground squirrel in its talons, 15 feet in front of me flying at eye level
  • Day 4: Met a girl who was almost done hiking half of the PCT (all of Oregon and Washington). She convinced me to take the regular PCT through the Glacier Peak Wilderness, which has numerous blow downs and no bridges, instead of the official detour which was closed due to a forest fire. Went up and over Cutthroat pass and stopped exhausted alongside the trail.
  • Day 5: A big cedar tree, of which there were many. Did 21+ miles to reach 6:00 shuttle at High Bridge. Met Saul and Joseph and family, and took shuttle to a ranch where I stayed the night in a small rustic cabin. Showered and ate a ton of food.
  • Day 5: Two wildlife encounters. Another black bear at close range, 30 yards. It ran away. And this snake, a red-spotted garter snake. It is trying to swallow and digest a large frog. It didn't move for over a minute, but simply flexed its jaws a bit.
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