Day 5 : Stehekin (Zero Day)

Start – Stehekin
Finish – Stehekin
Daily Distance – 0 km
Ascent – 0 m
Descent – 0 m

Hiker boxes are a feature of many long-distance trails, although form a particularly ubiquitous and beloved PCT tradition. Containing primarily unneeded food, but also surplus clothing and equipment from people attempting to lower their pack weight, the boxes represent a real lifeline to many hikers. This probably stems from trail demographics. The majority of hikers are in their late teens, 20s, early 30s, or have retired. The highly paid ages of professional society these are not. A lack of savings when commencing the hike are further exacerbated by its length. Occasional hotel nights to escape the tent, food, and potential gear replacements, can really begin to add up when multiplied by the 4-5 month average PCT thru-hike duration. Consequently hikers decending upon a new town or establishment will often consider rummaging through the hiker box as priority #1. Curious that in a land whose culture is so permeated by the remorseless desire towards acquisition, but people take only what they need and everything else is left for others to profit from. It would be so easy for people to scavange the choicest elements and hoard them for barter or sale to others. I find it a dynamic that gives me hope for the future.

The point of this explanation is that today has been largely dominated by the topic of food. It also inspired my new trail name, but more on that later. This morning started with a leftover apricot scone from the bakery, while simultaneously unpackaging the food box which Tony had kindly mailed for me to collect here. The friendly campground deer arrived, perhaps hoping for crumbs, or maybe just to see the moment realisation set in that I could never carry all the food I had left and the new arrivals. For this organisational and re-organisational effort I was very to have a picnic table all for myself. Hunger varies during a hike, starting slowly and becoming ever more voracious as time goes on, so judging exactly how much food is required for a section is not an exact science. I believe that I will have enough for the next 7 day section, but time will tell. I did sadly have to donate some perfectly good oats, nuts and raisens to the hiker box, but hopefully the lucky person who finds them will be happy.

As part of a group trading exercise prior to consigning unwanted items to hiker box oblivion, I was called upon to explain the relationship between Werther’s Original sweets and kindly old grandfathers for the American audience. The unintended consequence being that apparently when English people say “Werther’s”, our stateside cousins are filled with images of genteel butlers dressed in immaculately pressed waistcoats serving tea. Rather like Downton Abbey with boiled sweets. The consensus has it that all trails should be served by at least 1 English butler of high esteem. So henceforth I am become Werthers (or Withers in the West coast accent). Now I just need to source some cucumber sandwiches and a teapot for the next section.

The rest of the day has been filled with small jobs like washing clothes and more enjoyable jobs like drinking beer and hanging out. A very fine way to spend a workday.

Tomorrow begins a reputedly tough 7 day section to Steven’s Pass. I hope to hitchhike into Leavenworth on the 8th.

Take care