Miles hiked (9/16): 14.66 (2288.34 to 2303.00)
Elevation: +2538/-3863
Number of different Bob Dylan songs I've been caught singing on the PCT: 24 (listed at the end for bored readers)
At around 2am, I heard a drizzle of rain pelting my tent, but I woke up to a dry and warm morning a few hours later. Just as we were about to leave camp, Sanford came by and expressed his sheer exhaustion at this 150 mile section. It was nice to hear one of the young, able-bodied boys admit that he, too, was needing a break.
Together with Sanford for much of the day, we slogged through a very unimaginative movie set of conifers mixed with reddening blueberry bushes. Sometimes there would be a fern understory, instead, to keep us from believing that we were walking in front of a Flintstones' cartoon background.
Coach and First Class met us as the White Pass trailhead parking lot. I know that cannot sufficiently explain my elation at seeing them. Being with people who had seen me and Any Minute Now at our individually lowest points (well before Any Minute and I had met) and who could also really appreciate the struggles of long-distance hiking was such a relief. Neither of them had thought that either of us would finish. Pretty cool.
Not only did they provide burgers, spaghetti, brownies, cookies and beer to a dozen or so hikers, they came by the White Pass Inn to sit and talk trail with us over beverages afterwards. This is the third time they've magically appeared after leaving the trail. I really appreciate the hell out of those two.
So, a zero here in the land of showers and beds and hooks to dry hand-washed laundry. Tomorrow, on to Snoqualmie!
Bob Dylan songs I've been caught singing on the trail (in order of frequency):
Let Me Die in My Footsteps
To Ramona
Tangled Up in Blue
Talkin Bear Mountain Picnic Massacre Blues
Visions of Johanna
All I Really Wanna Do
Mama, You Been On My Mind
Baby Let Me Follow You Down
Idiot Wind
Most Likely You'll Go Your Way and I'll Go Mine
Queen Jane Approximately
Absolutely Sweet Marie
You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go
If You Gotta Go, Go Now
It's All Right, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
Seven Curses
Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
When I Paint My Masterpiece
Shelter From the Storm
Wallflower
One More Cup of Coffee
Not Dark Yet
Don't Think Twice, It's Alright
Simple Twist of Fate
