My daughter’s hike on the Pacific Crest Trail continues…and I am more amazed at her tenacity every day. I’m so grateful she has a GPS device that allows her to send messages in addition to ‘pinging’ her location when she has service. She has been faithful to let us know where she is each day, and we’ve seen her about once a week when she crosses into civilization and we resupply her.
She’s grubby and hungry when she walks off the trail, and we’re sure glad to see her!
After a 26 mile day near Mt. Rainier
She craves fresh fruit the most!
Grubby Tootsies!
She hit mile 325 when she made it to Steven’s Pass over the weekend. We picked her up there and brought her home for a 36 hour rest and resupply. She’s done about 275 miles alone, meeting some interesting characters along the way. Her husband did a stretch between Mt. Rainier and Snoqualmie Pass with her. They experienced rain, thunder, lightening, hail, and a new forest fire!
Michelle & Chad leaving Mt. Rainier. (Jessie had to stay with me!)
And they’re off!
She’s had some incredible pictures and stories. Telling about crossing the Goat Rocks between Mt. Adams and Mt. Rainier nearly gave me a heart attack! The trail is the width of your shoe and has 3000 feet drop off the side. People have died of hypothermia along that section because it is so exposed and prone to storms -even in the summer.
They call it the “Knife Edge” along the top. 3 miles of fright!
I dropped her and her dad off at Steven’s Pass to hike the rest of the way together to Canada -over 2 weeks. They will have some serious bonding time! Her total hiking miles will be 508 when she crosses the Canadian border. Wow!
Pacific Crest Trail at Steven’s Pass
I won’t see them again for about 10 days while they are in some of the most remote areas of Washington State. I’ll resupply them one final time before they do the last stretch. My husband has done sections of the PCT previously with our son in Boy Scouts, but this will be his longest hike by far.
I’m living this adventure vicariously through all 3 of them!
How about you? What adventures are you up to this summer?
Sep 18, 2014 @ 18:46:10
I’m not sure if I’m envious or relieved it’s not me! A bit of both I guess.
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Sep 19, 2014 @ 04:53:04
🙂 I think I relate well to that sentiment Allen!
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Sep 06, 2014 @ 09:38:20
Incredible journey!! WOW!! Can’t wait to read about the final leg. Amazing fortitude ❤
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Sep 03, 2014 @ 12:29:04
What an amazing experience she’s having! And it’s great that others are able to share parts of it with her. My summer can’t begin to compare to hers!
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Sep 03, 2014 @ 21:08:10
Ha ha!! Yes, this summer will always stand out for her I’m sure!
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Sep 03, 2014 @ 11:25:36
Denise thanks for the follow. I like your blog as well. I am following you too.
Be blessed,
SandyO
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Sep 03, 2014 @ 21:07:49
Thanks Sandy!!
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Sep 02, 2014 @ 16:46:18
Wish her well from me — an adventurer only in my fiction these days. 🙂
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Sep 01, 2014 @ 07:28:11
Wow, that’s so cool! It’s so great to be a fly on the wall for posts like that. Happy way to start a Monday. ❤
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Sep 01, 2014 @ 15:21:29
Thank you Paulette!
I’m excited to hear the latest update when I see them the end of the week for the final resupply.
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Sep 01, 2014 @ 06:43:04
Oh wow Denise! What an amazing family you have! ♥ I look forward to hearing that she is home safe with many stories to tell…
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Sep 01, 2014 @ 15:20:53
Thanks! I’m excited to see them soon and hear the latest!
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Aug 31, 2014 @ 10:00:31
What an awesome adventure! Wish I was there with your daughter, that’s for sure. Hub really wants to do that one day, all the way from our area up. My son’s done quite a bit of it, but not as much as your daughter. I’m so impressed!
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Aug 31, 2014 @ 12:46:35
Thank you! Her ultimate goal is to start at the Calif/Mexico border and complete the whole thing. California comprises more than half of the entire hike. You and hubby could do sections at a time, too. How about the John Muir trail? Part of it and the PCT overlap.
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Aug 28, 2014 @ 16:32:50
Really impressive.
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Aug 31, 2014 @ 12:45:11
Thanks!
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Aug 28, 2014 @ 09:34:26
Remarkable! I wish her well. Although, I can’t imagine myself doing such as this, I am glad that there are still adventurous people trekking the globe.
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Aug 31, 2014 @ 12:44:55
😉 yes, me too!
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Aug 27, 2014 @ 09:54:55
What a brave woman! Sounds like she’s having a wonderful experience. I wish her well as she continues on.
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Aug 31, 2014 @ 12:44:35
Hi Carrie, yes she is definitely brave! She had wolves howling all night the first week. She was scared but didn’t give up.
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Aug 27, 2014 @ 09:15:06
My love of mountain hiking was limited to day hikes, even when I was young and reasonably fit. What an adventure this would be! Thanks for sharing it with us, Denise.
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Aug 31, 2014 @ 12:43:21
Hi Esther, yes day hikes are more my cup of tea, too. I did one overnight hike with my son a few years ago. It was really fun, but I’ll leave the long distance hiking to the rest of my family.
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Aug 27, 2014 @ 08:33:45
This looks fun to me Denise, Maybe because I spent several summers hiking and camping around the National Parks in my 30s. But no adventures this summer, so I may have to live vicariously with you. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
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Aug 31, 2014 @ 12:42:19
The National Parks are awesome! It’s on my bucket list to hit them all.
Seems like one of your adventures this summer is your beautiful yard and garden. That is a big job!
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Aug 31, 2014 @ 13:43:50
I hadn’t thought of it that way. OK, my garden adventure! 🙂
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Aug 27, 2014 @ 07:34:28
She looks great in the photos – so fresh faced considering the long hours she’s walking! We went for a short hiking trip in the Catskill mountains but that’s nothing compared to this. Just some hours of hiking everyday followed by a soft bed at night. Love reading these updates about your daughter – we can all live vicariously through her!
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Aug 31, 2014 @ 12:41:23
The Catskills must be beautiful also. I like your way of hiking…with a soft bed at the end of the day! :)- I do like camping, but this is a bit extreme for me.
thank you for your support!
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Aug 27, 2014 @ 06:43:06
How inspiring this is, though I have to admit I’m inspired BY them, but not inspired to do what they’re doing. More power to them. I, too, prefer the vicarious participation. Thanks for letting us participate in their adventure.
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Aug 31, 2014 @ 12:40:14
Hi Elizabeth, yes I understand the difference you speak of!!
I’m proud and excited for them, but have no interest in something like that for myself. Good thing we all have different interests!
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Aug 27, 2014 @ 05:39:38
Denise, Wow, how inspiring! Blessings to you all!
I’ve had a great summer stretching my chops with my new event coordination business. I oversaw three gorgeous events and have two more this fall. God is good. He continues to bless me in ways I never thought possible.
xo Joanne
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Aug 31, 2014 @ 12:39:00
That is so exciting Joanne! What a wonderful achievement to get your business off to such a great start! Loved the photos you’ve shared so far!
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Aug 27, 2014 @ 05:05:07
I’m impressed! I can’t imagine me doing anything like that, then or now.
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Aug 31, 2014 @ 12:38:11
Me either, Ruth.
(I’d rather be riding my motorcycle!)
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Aug 27, 2014 @ 05:00:35
What an interesting experience! When they cross into Canada, is there some sort of customs or border guard out in the bush??
Diana xo
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Aug 31, 2014 @ 12:37:15
Hi Diana,
They did have to register in advance to enter Canada. They had to declare an estimated arrival date, and what they anticipated to be in their packs -including if they would have a credit card or not and any cash! (??!!) Apparently the border is cleared and monitored but not sure if by satellite or live person. They are not allowed to enter, then reverse back into the US. They have to hike an extra 8 miles to where I can pick them up. Also, those who want to hike southbound are not allowed to start in Canada. They have to start several miles away from the PCT, hike onto the PCT then head north just to the border -but no crossing it!- then reverse onto the PCT and head south.
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Aug 31, 2014 @ 14:25:40
Wild!
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Aug 27, 2014 @ 04:45:20
YAY! Thank you for the update, Denise. She looks happy, healthy and absolutely great!
Admittedly, I was a bit squeamish to read the part about the 300 ft drop-off…hopefully, that part of the adventure is finished. And, it’s probably a comfort to know that her dad will be with her the remainder of the journey. I hope she’s writing it down and taking pictures…she’s creating a lifetime full of memories!
Thank you again for sharing 🙂
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Aug 31, 2014 @ 12:33:21
Hi Michele! Yes, so glad the scariest part is done! She and her dad have been in wet weather the last few days. I hope to see them for a resupply in about 4 or 5 days. They have no cell service and limited satellite service, so messages have been sporadic. She had a leather journal made special for this trip; her great grandfather did something similar, so must be in the blood!
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Aug 27, 2014 @ 04:36:18
I’ve been wondering about her and am so glad you posted this update! I’m beyond impressed at her courage, fitness level, and sense of adventure. Woo hoo! (How’s the doggie doing?)
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Aug 31, 2014 @ 12:31:18
Hi Diane, Glad this adventure piqued your interest! 🙂
Jessie ended up only hiking 2 days, the pack rubbed her sides too much and she overheated. So, I’ve been doggie sitting for about a month now! She and Callie get along well, so that’s been good.
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