Day 152

Trail Miles: 19.5

Total: 2572.9

I was not made to wake up and pack up quickly. I try to do it when I want to sleep longer, but that was a mistake. Just a warning, if you don’t want to hear another poop story, skip to the next paragraph. I ran out of my tent to dig a cat hole and couldn’t wait to dig first. It was too soft to move into the hole I dug, and I ended up just painting the side of the hill. My best option was to just grab handfuls of moss next to me and pack it on top of the mess I made to hopefully cover the smell at least. Ugh.

My headlamp apparently dies now way quicker than I thought. Since we started hiking at 5:00am, I had to stay close to Krista to see. But then her headlamp went out! So I had to use my phone light. It wasn’t too long though before the sun rose enough to light the path. A quick 7 miles in, there was an easy log crossing across a creek. That was just about the last time I saw everyone because they sprinted the last 12 miles to the bus stop. I, in the other hand, had to stop for water and to sit, but not too long. I got close to the bus stop just past 12:30pm. I looked to my right between some trees and saw them boarding a bus! They were going to leave without me! We agreed on the 2:00pm shuttle. So I started running as fast as I could and just made it on. They didn’t even inreach me to tell me this was an option or I would have hiked faster. 

The bus driver was like a tour guide. First stop was the ranch where we got deli sandwiches for lunch and a smidgen of cell service. Then we stopped at the bakery for cinnamon rolls! Turns out they were overhyped. The blackberry pie with ice cream was better. We will be back tomorrow for coffee and more goodies. Last stop was our destination: Stehekin landing. They have a general store, laundry, showers, campground, and visitor center right next on Lake Chelan. As soon as we got off the bus, it was off to the races to get in line for chores. Brad went off to grab quarters and a laundry pod while the rest of us went to get into the queue for laundry. Once we were in line, Brad, Krista, and I went to the campground to find spots for our tents. They are slanted and in the weeds but I’m happy to be away from the crowds. I grabbed my resupply packages from the post office on the way back and worked on organizing the food while waiting for a shower. The shower was 2 minutes per dollar and I only had 2 dollars in quarters. My plan was to use the first 2 minutes to wash my hair. Once the water turned off, I would wash my body with soap, and use the next 2 minutes to rinse off. It worked out very well!

Even to the very end of the hike, there are disgruntled hikers people who don’t want to wait for showers or unplugging other people electronics to charge there own. I’ve had enough and I can’t wait to only have to fight with my family.

For dinner, I ate a frozen burger that I heated up in the microwave and a coke. The bees were so bad in this area that I kept having to take my coke and run away. That was pretty much the end of my night here. I hope I can figure out a way to do all the things I want tomorrow without having to spend $30 on bus fares.

Day 151

Trail miles: 23.7

Total: 2553.4

The sun was out when we started hiking so it was already a better day than yesterday. We only had less than a mile hill before the next 15 miles were downhill. It went alright except for all the blowdowns. We would jump over a log or two or three every eighth of a mile. There was one blow down that had hundred of trees down! It could have been from a mudslide or maybe avalanche. But it was the blowdown of all blowdowns. I was keeping up with Lifeguard and Brad while we took on a lot of difficult blowdowns together. Sometimes I would hand my camera and poles to Lifeguard so I could barrel roll over the log. Then at one point, I looked down at my shoe and noticed the top mesh of my shoe had totally ripped in half. I could push the front of my foot out of the hole. I used some of Brads gorilla tape to wrap around the hole, but it fell off after a couple miles. The shoe still feels ok to walk in for now. I wouldn’t be able to get anything sent to me in Stehekin because it is too remote of a town. I lost Brad and Lifeguard when I stopped to eat. I’ve been running out of energy because I’m so hungry. I was on my way up the other side of the valley when I turn the corner and I see tents and sleeping bag slung over branches along the trail. And of course I recognized them all. A little further was everyone eating lunch by the water.  The big hill after lunch was almost 8 miles and not gradual. I was able to make it to camp before 6:00pm still! We are thrilled that tomorrow will be our last town day.

Day 150

Trail miles: 27.2

Total: 2529.7

Today was a lousy day in all sense of the word. I’m trying to write about it but I think I blocked most of it out. We woke up in a cold fog and the sun never came out all day. It started with a sketchy river crossing. There was a log, but it was slippery since it had been raining. Brad and Raechel were able to cross just fine. Krista crossed, but slipped on a wobbly rock at the end. Lifeguard decided to scoot her way across on her butt. I tried standing and scooting, but I nearly fell off both ways. I started hyperventilating a little while trying to decide what to do. Then the rocks on the other side of the river started falling! It wasn’t big and didn’t hit anyone, but it meant we had to leave quickly. I decided to ford the river. Rachel came back to cross with me. Krista threw over her sandals so I wouldn’t get my shoes and socks wet. Although when I tried to throw them across, one of them landed in the water and started floating away. I landed on a rock and smashed my shin. While I was writhing in pain and shock from my stupidity, Krista saved my shoe. Just like she saved my water filter in Nor Cal. I crossed in an easy spot without any whitewater. I should have just started out doing treat instead of wasting an hour of everyone’s time freaking out. I just didn’t want my shoes wet because I lost my other pair of socks and had horrible blisters already. Lunch was freezing so we didn’t stick around long. Then right after lunch I trip and was launched into the bushes of the edge of the trail. It took me a second to get back up. Then on another what probably should have been an easy water crossing, I stepping on a floating log that sent my falling on my face yet again. My feet dipped into the water on the way down. When I tried to get up, I started sliding back to the water. While I was trying to figure out how not to fall back into the water, a hiker found me and asked if I needed help getting up. I was just like “sorry I’m in the way I can’t get up.” Oh I hope I can look back on this and laugh one day. I think that was the last time I fell… no wait I just thought of another. My knee landed on a rock that time. I should mention that with all these accidents I pretty much didn’t stop crying until I finally made it to camp. We did an extra 4 or so miles up a hill that weren’t planned. But that’s ok since we will have less to do tomorrow. I basically ran the last 3 miles to try to make it to camp before sunset. It sets around 7:30pm so less wiggle room at the end of the day. The trail was so annoying because it was overgrown. Some of the trail was a drop off on one side, which is why I fell the one time. My foot slipped off the edge and I fell. And it’s hard to use your poles with the bushes in the way or the trail being too narrow. Anyway, it was cold again so I boiled water to put in my water bottle to put in my sleeping bag. I think it worked decent enough, but I miss my winter bag. 

Day 149

Trail miles: 24.8

Total: 2502.5

We are hiking in some of the most beautiful land in the country and it’s hard to enjoy it fully when you are so tired from hiking all day. We just want to be done.

Hiking went pretty smoothly all day. The hills were tough because now I think we are in section K. My feet weren’t so bad either. I am however starting to get severe hiker hunger like I had in the Sierras. Must be because the terrain is similarly difficult that I need more food. It’s too late to do anything though because I can’t get any more food for the rest of the trail. I have a box ready for me in Stehekin and there’s no where in that town to supplement extra food. I will be ok though because Lifeguard offered me more Belvita bars if I need them and we only have about a week left of hiking. Raechel says she can supplement Stehekin cinnamon rolls every day if need be. It’s getting way colder all of a sudden. Feels like fall is coming quick, so good thing we are almost done. Makes me wish I went to my heavier sleeping bag. Tonight I am using my last hand warmer in my sleeping bag liner. We are camped near the top of one of the mountains where the fog is rolling in. The wind makes it a lot colder too. Maybe tomorrow I will have to put boiling water in a bottle and put it in my liner. I hope Stehekin has either more fuel canisters or hand warmers. We got to camp before 6:00pm which means I can watch shows in my tent! And get a full night sleep finally. I could use a warm hot chocolate right now.

Day 148

Trail miles: 12.5

Total: 2477.7

My butt has shrunk so much that my pants don’t fit at all. I have to tie them now which makes going to the bathroom a problem. Especially because I always wait until the last second. Anyway, my back pockets have pretty much become useless. I try to keep my bandana there for easy access, but I lose it sometimes. Yesterday, I put my phone in my back pocket. Yeah you can probably guess where this is going. We got a hitch and I got so excited I jumped and ran to get my bag. My phone popped out and the screen protector cracked. I guess it’s good I have it.

The campground was small which made it cozy. Although right next to a busy road so it was loud. I learned how to set up my tent with only rocks since none of the tent stakes went into the ground. One swift wind might have taken it down though. The showers were pretty nice too!

I got to sleep in so late today! Like around 7:30am was when I finally got up. We didn’t head to town until around 9:30am after Brad came back with our laundry! Such a nice thing to do while we are still asleep. The bus stop was right behind the Safeway so I stopped in to grab blister care, cash, and smart water bottles. In town, Raechel and I went to the main hub area while the rest went to the post office. Unfortunately Krista and Brads packages were delayed so they had to go back to the Safeway to resupply. Luckily they had it and easy to get to with the bus. Raechel and I went to the bakery and coffee shop first. Then there was an art gallery going on so we looked at all the pieces. We left our bags in the park in the shade behind one of the art tents. I only left my bag and package I was sending home; I kept my camera gear with me all morning. I grabbed my bag to move it and totally threw my back out. Like I could use anything else being in pain. I had to sit down for a second and then massage it out a little. It’s still hurting now but definitely not as bad. Retain therapy helped too! I found some clothes to send to myself. I love souvenir shopping! I can’t wait to do it on the drive home without having to hike 100 miles for it. I got lunch at Stein where I had a Malibu sunrise and Thai rice bowl. Both of which were so good! I’m glad for the recommendation from a family friend. Brad got us a hitch back to trail from a guy at a gas station. He just asks everyone he sees if they are going to Stevens Pass and we will pay for gas. He was an interesting guy (in a good way). He laughed at all our complaints of trail. On trail, my feet actually felt alright. I did take four Motrin but I will credit the blister bandaids and airing them out last night. There was minimal pain from the blisters and none from swollen feet, so I’d say they felt the best they’ve felt in hundreds of miles! Probably before Bend. We only did 12 miles so we got in before 8:00pm. Finally a night to get in my tent before sunset. We could see some fires in the distance, maybe 7 plumes of smoke, and when the sun went down, we could see red flames. They look small and far so we aren’t worried.. yet. We need terminus pics after all this hard work!! We finally found a nice campsite all to ourselves. Well, minus Brad. We have no idea where he went. He LOAed. Raechel and Krista say he’ll be waiting for us at the top of the pass in the morning, smoking a cigarette.