Start – Bellingham > Hart’s Pass
Finish – Brush Creek
Daily Distance – 20 km
Ascent – 430 m
Descent – 1000 m
It is a curious thing that when trying to catch up on missed sleep brought about by international travel, my body will insist on waking me up at 2am regardless. Part of that was an unfortunate fixation on what knots to use when attaching my new bear bag to trees. No idea why my brain thought that was important in the wee small hours, but such is life. On a positive note, this allowed me to be awake in plenty of time for the 06:45 departure for Hart’s Pass. Driving duties were taken by Eric, who along with his wife, Kate, is shuttling hikers to/from the PCT start point this year in return for a small donation to cover costs. Also in the car were Daniel from Salt Lake City and Tony from Florida.
As 4 hour car rides go it was actually pretty interesting. Watching small American towns rolling by and looking out of the window were exotic enough to hold my attention. I may also have napped. Up until the last 10 miles mind whereupon the road became narrow, steep and so rough fillings may well have been loosened.
The walking has been pleasant without being mindblowing. Some of that is me just reacquainting myself with old habits and routines. Figuring out what I want at hand, what can be packed inside the rucksack and getting back in the swing of camp life have all felt a little alien. No doubt everything will become more automatic in the coming days, but right now everything feels like it is happening with a little more friction than in the past.
The worst campsite on the PCT so far
That was how one 90 day veteran described tonight’s campground. The only way is up 😀
It looks hot. It is good to hear of people giving time back to walkers and imparting their knowledge of the trail. Does the knot matter to much or are the bears very good at undoing them. Do they have bear schools?
I am wondering if the ransome for Lego Ben has been paid. It will be terrible for him to miss the trip.