[pct-l] Back from the trail.

[Ronald Moak <ronm@fallingwater.com>]

After some 4.5 months, I'm back home from the trail. This time to stay, I
think. We (Swiss Miss, PA Jeff, Lucky, Molson, Skylark and I) finished up on
9/14 in the morning. All in all the last four days of the hike were great
with beautiful sunny skies and extraordinary views of all the snow capped
mountains around us. 

However, hiking into Stehekin (sp.) was a bit of a challenge both mentally
and physically. A snow storm dumped 8 to 10 inches of snow above 5000 feet.
We still had two 6000 foot passes to cross before heading into town. We were
all wet from the overnight rain by the time we climbed into the snow zone.
In 12 hours we climbed over 5000 feet and descended an equal amount, took 2
ten minute breaks and had covered over 26 miles. A tough day but rewarding
in it's own right. Certainly one we won't forget anytime soon. Some of the
other thru-hikers behind us were forced off the trail for lower elevations. 

Still despite the cold and snow it was quite an experience. With a couple of
warm days, the snow melted away and we were hiking in summer again. 

Anyway it's good to be home again. I've still got a few miles left to finish
my adventure, but I've managed to cover roughly 90 percent of the trail this
summer. Unfortunately scheduling requirements didn't give enough flexibility
to slow down when sick or behind schedule. Still having some work left
unfinished gives me something to look forward to over the next couple of
years.

Over the course of the coming months I'll be completing some of the journal
work abandoned early in the hike. And maybe put together a story or two on
the hike. 

Look forward to seeing many of you at the upcoming ALDHA-West Gathering  at
Mt. Hood at the end of the month. (www.gorp.com/nonprof/aldhaw) 

Take care,

Ron "Fallingwater" Moak
--------------------------------------------------------
PCT 2000 - http://www.fallingwater.com/pct2000


* From the PCT-L |  Need help? http://www.backcountry.net/faq.html  *

==============================================================================