Angels Sometimes Fall

I've been busy reading blogs, watching the herd's progress (most of the hikers I'm following are approaching/leaving Kennedy Meadows), and planning for my first trip only to have to push it all out to early August. 

I'm on the sidelines for at least six weeks, probably thru all of July due to a trail injury last week. After an absolutely awesome ten mile, 2700' gain hike in the Gorge, the trail gave way below my left foot, sending me off the side of the trail, and breaking my right fibula. 

I actually heard the snap as I was falling. As a nurse, my brain went into assess and plan mode. With three other hikers in my group, it made the situation less frightening. My fella pulled me back up to the trail and then headed off with Gauge doggy to fetch the truck to the trailhead, I immediately elevated my leg on my backpack and took something for the pain and inflammation, and then I assessed if I could move my ankle. It moved stiffly and painfully, so I kept my boot on (fully laced to compress my ankle), figured out just how far it was to the trailhead (50yds!), and figured out if I could make it that far. My other two hiking partners helped me stand, gave me a hiking pole, and then took my advice to stand back.

The folks at Multnomah Falls Snack Shack gave my fella ice, I kept my foot elevated and iced in the back seat, and we went directly to Urgent Care. And ... the x-rays showed an oblique nondisplaced fracture of the distal fibula. They set me up with a temporary brace, we picked up some crutches at the pharmacy and I sat around all weekend with my foot elevated until I could see a specialist after the weekend! 

I saw the specialist on Monday, repeat x-rays indicated the fracture was bad (actually three breaks) but it remained nondisplaced so I escaped surgery and will be in a walking boot for six weeks.

I'm hoping to go back to work in six weeks or shortly thereafter, but I'm not sure how long it will be before I'll be doing my long out-n-back 12-14 mile Trail Angel day trips. 

My hope is to be able to do a lot of shorter out-n-back hikes and/or short midweek overnight trips by early August as the herd approaches mid-Oregon. 

Until then I am doing everything I am told to do, not pushing it to much, reading blogs and books. For those who know me ... I don't sit still really well. This will be a long six weeks. 

Just Wasn't Feelin' It

What should have been an awesome day on a section of the PCT just across the river from Cascade Locks . . . felt more like a task to complete than a nice hike along the PCT. I just couldn't get in the mood. At one point I almost asked my hiking partner if we could just blow it all off after a mile and go to lunch.

The ONLY thing making me put one foot in front of the other was pondering the question . . . what really makes a thru-hiker keep going? OK, and I was thinking about what a whiner I was being.

I really didn't have anything to whine about.

We started out on a high note when we ran into the famous PCT Trail Angel Shrek (since 1992!) who was on duty in the toll booth as we crossed the Bridge of the Gods.

We had wonderful weather, partly cloudy skies with a slight breeze, mostly dry trail, and only two other cars in a huge parking lot. AND, I got the latest version of HalfMile's PCT app to work.

Total PCT Miles = 4

At this rate it just might take me 15 years to complete the Oregon and Washington sections of the PCT . . .

Trail Angel Training Hikes

With all the PCT blog postings ... we just couldn't miss an opportunity to hike a section near our home in Portland today. We saw this as an opportunity to train ourselves to carry heavier loads as well as test some gear.

Before we headed out I updated HalfMile's iPhone App, loaded up my pack with simulated apple weight (this is the training part), grabbed a pair of new Darn Tough socks I've been wanting to test, and hit the PCT SoBo from Cascade Locks with some friends from the Cascadia Women's Mountain Group.

Everything worked out well, except the electronics. Just like last year, I have to go through the basics again. Last year I remembered using the app to locate potential campsite and water caches, this year I can't seem to see that. I need to do more research, but I think I must be doing something wrong. No worries today, I was on a section of the trail I know well.

Many of the PCT hikers take the Eagle Creek Alternate from Whatum Lake, experiencing one of the most beautiful trails in the Columbia River Gorge. Unfortunately they miss this beautiful section of trail with its views of the river, waterfalls and pinnacles.

Tomorrow, we hike from Cascade Locks to the Greenleaf overlook with heavier packs ... apples weigh a lot ya know!

My Trail Angel Style

Last year (2012) was my first year as a PCT Trail Angel. I had an opportunity to try out a number of approaches to supporting thru-hikers. Toward the end of the season, I stumbled upon the best approach for me . . . I carry a backpack full of apples, atomic fireballs, and small snacks to offer to unsuspecting thru-hikers I encounter while day-hiking sections of the PCT.

Why apples? They pack easily, it takes a lot to hurt 'em, they don't leave juice in my backpack, and the hikers don't have to feel like they need to stop and visit for a long period of time. Just grab 'n go!

Why Atomic Fireballs? Why Not! They are an awesome cinnamon jawbreaker treat that really puts some pep in your step.

With an off-road capable vehicle, I can access more remote sections of the PCT, usually far from a resupply stop. Last year I could be found just about anywhere between Barlow Pass (2100) in Oregon and Hart's Pass (2630) in Washington, usually when a group of 15-20 hikers were passing through. Thus my trail name . . . Where's Chris?

I typically park at a trailhead, load the backpack and head south toward the thru-hikers to hand out goodies. At 6-7 miles in, I rest and eat lunch, and then head north back to the trailhead . . . handing out more goodies. If time permits, I'll hang out a bit at the trailhead handing out the last of my apples before heading home.

I'm fortunate to have a job that allows me to hike 3-4 days a week, usually midweek. I try to work in at least one day on the PCT. This season I'll also be incorporating some camping alongside the PCT with my day hikes. When I'm camping . . . I'll be bringing along extra drip coffee to share with hikers each morning. There's nothing like good strong coffee in the morning. If you smell it ahead on the trail . . . please stop and I'll make you a cup.

Thanks to the blogs of so many PCT hikers, and comments on the PCTA website, I can get a good idea of where the herd is along the trail. There are already several really good blogs from hikers who are on the trail and/or hitting the trail in the next few weeks. A shout out to HalfMile for creating HikePress that provides a daily aggregation of blog posts; he has made it so much easier to find blogs to follow this year.

The PCTA said they've issued more than 1000 permits for this season . . . so I better start training to carry a lot of apples each day! And, I'll be enlisting the help of my fella Charles to join me as often as he can.

2013 Hikers Are On Trail!

Spring has made a first real appearance here in Portland. The Columbia Gorge is waking up and starting to display bursts of wildflowers at the eastern end.

While the PCT remains covered in snow throughout most of Oregon, the first of the PCT hikers are slowly making their way onto the trail at the Mexican border ... time to stow the snowshoes, do my gear checks and hit the trails again myself.

As I write this, there are already several hiker blogs I'm following in anticipation of intersecting with these hardy hikers when they begin reaching Oregon in late July.

If you are interested in finding a few blogs to follow, check out this great compilation site http://www.hikepress.com/

More later with my own PCT Trail Angel gear review ...

Fall Colors at Herman Creek

With all the recent rain, I was getting antsy to be outside without rain gear ... so when the forecast said less than a tenth of an inch for Cascade Locks for today I grabbed my gear and headed out.

Some might say the drive is too far for a casual six-miler, but this time of year the leaves are alive with color all along the gorge. All the rain we've had this past week created quite a waterfall display as well. The parking lot was full, but the trail was empty of people and full of fall mystique.

Oh, The Places You'll Go

The last two years have been amazing hiking and snowshoeing years for me ... more miles traveled than ever before, more remote locations explored, my confidence expanded, and yet so more to explore. Yep, that was a nod to the alliteration of Dr. Seuss and the book "Oh, the Places You'll Go". If you think that book is just for kids, you may want to browse a copy sometime soon at your local bookstore. Or just watch this video from Burning Man.

Burning Man 2011 by Tedshots

While I enjoy the company of others, especially my guy Charles and the amazing Cascadia Women's Mountain Group, my inner voice is screaming for solo time on the trail.

So in 2013, I plan to do mostly solo hiking and exploring. When the mood hits me, I'll post some simple entries here to compliment my PCT Trail Angel hikes.

May our paths cross and we share a short conversation ... but then let's part company and move along the trail as mostly solo hikers.