Sometimes You Are The Rock

"Sometimes you're the person on the journey, sometimes you’re the rock beneath their feet. A solid place where they can stop, put down their pack and recover, and then… a place to plant their foot and spring forward into their journey." - SlimeDog

This season I had planned to offer trail magic in at least ten different locations along the Oregon section of the PCT. SlimeDog was planning to join me on some of the day trips. (That man can carry a lot of apples!) 

Everyone knows things didn't turn out as planned, but sometimes it's good to shift your plans. It challenges you to explore, learn, grow. 

It also allows you to be available when someone needs help. That's what happened last Friday morning when MukMuk called from Jefferson Park somewhere near mile 2038. A hiker she has become close with (UB) had been sick for several days and now was dehydrated and extremely weak. 

She wasn't sure if they should continue North or South to find a place to hitch out to get medical help. A quick review of HalfMile's section map and the Jefferson Park map revealed they were less than five (5) miles from a trailhead SlimeDog and I could reach in less than three hours. 

 

The PCT is trail 2000, the Pamelia Lake Trail connects at mile 2035. The TH and road are just 2.5 miles away.

After an update on the road and trailhead conditions from ranger Jerry Johnson at the Willamette National Forest ranger station, we confirmed Muk and her fella should head to the Pamelia Lake trailhead. 

When we got there we took a quick trailhead picture, loaded gear and people, and headed to Portland to an Urgent Care.

After getting her fella checked out and patched up, we brought them to our house for a few zeros (zero = day off trail) to allow them to rest, shower, do laundry, resupply and recuperate.

When the time approached to return them to the trail, they decided Muk would move on and her fella would return to Urgent Care for another assessment of his situation.

While I did my midday stretches, Muk got herself situated to head back out.

I always have a scrap or two of Tyvek in my car. On that day, it was the perfect yoga mat. 

We took a few goofy pictures at the trailhead to basically stall Muk's return. 

And then she was off again ...

I have to admit it was a bit difficult to drop Muk off at the trailhead without her fella, but I knew she'd be fine. Her fella on the other hand received news that ultimately would force him off trail and onto a plane home a few days later. 

We wish them both well on their journeys on, and off, trail. If you'd like to follow along they both have blogs.

MukMuk aka Rozanne Pilbeam
http://mexicotocanada2013.wordpress.com/

UB aka Chris Foley 
http://ubserious.com/


For me the 2013 PCT Trail Angel season has finished ... the next blog post won't be until next spring when I hit the trail again fully recovered and strong. 

Thanks to UB for taking this great impromptu picture of SlimeDog and me. SlimeDog has been my rock during a stressful, longer than anticipated, recovery from my trail accident earlier this season. Gauge doggy and I both love this man!!