kygreybeard on the PCT

Statistics & General Information

2008-09-23T19:24:00.010-04:00

Began at Campo, CA: April 26, 2008 - completed in Manning Park, Canada: August 24, 2008
Total days hiked: 105
Average hiking miles per day: 24
Total zero (no hiking) days: 16 (includes 2 days hitching around forest fires)
Total weight lost: 25 to 30 lbs
Side trips completed: Mt. Whitney, John Muir Trail, Half Dome in Yosemite

Base gear:
Pack: ULA Catalyst
Tent: Tarptent (Rainbow)
Sleeping Bag: Feathered Friends (20 deg.)
Pad: Montbell
Rain gear: Montbell rain jacket
Jacket: Marmot Dri-Clime Windshirt
Shirt: Helly Hanson, long-sleeve, to sleep in
Pants: Montbell Ultralight Nylon, to sleep in
Socks: Smartwool (2 pair), one pair to sleep in
Sunglasses
Deet

Favorite:
Gear - Marmot Dri-Clime Windshirt
Trail towns - Agua Dulce and Wrightwood
Trail magic - Wrightwood Trail Angels
Town meals - Stehekin, WA
Trail food choices - Mountain House Lasagna, Nido Milk Substitute
Shoes - Merrells Ventilators
Tree - Too many monstrous and beautiful to mention
Breathtaking trail sight - Summit trail to Mt. Whitney
Memory - Clear, cold mountain streams, tasted soooo good

Food I craved the most: Cold milk
Bears sighted: 3 black bear, zero Grizzles (thank you Lord)
Snakes: 20 (6 rattlers)
Most unusual trail sighting: A man on the trail with 6 suitcases, a day pack & a 5-gallon, and a plastic Jerry can for water.
Electronics: Olympus Camera, Garmin GPS (eTrex HC), cell phone

Best decision made: Teaming with others, particularly when safety is a concern.

Worst decision made: Hitching around wildfire areas when I could have tolerated the smoke and road walked much of it.

Current plans: Head back to the Smoky Mountain National Park as an Appalachian Trail Ridgerunner March 2009.

Successful fund raiser for Home of the Innocents: almost $6,000.

Future plans: Hike the PCT fire-closed sections and The Sheltowee Trace Trail in Kentucky, http://www.sheltoweetrace.com/.

Final thoughts on hiking the PCT: It was a fleeting dream for this 67 year old after having hiked the Appalachian Trail nine years ago. I have been so blessed to do the PCT, and particularly on behalf of the Home of the Innocents (http://www.homeoftheinnocents.org/ ). The words of encouragement from fellow hikers and the prayers of friends and family back home were so important to me.

I am always amazed at how close thru-hikers become and how everyone wants to see the other guy make it. I am forever thankful just to be a part of the hiker community.

To all those whose paths I crossed, thank you.

God bless and keep hiking.
KY Greybeard

Clear, cold mountain lake!

2008-08-29T23:51:00.003-04:00

SPECIAL THANKS TO THIRD PARTY TRAIL ANGELS

2008-08-25T18:12:00.008-04:00

Since early August, my wife, Shirley, has been supporting me along the final miles of this PCT journey and on behalf of the mission of raising funds for Home of the Innocents. www.homeoftheinnocents.org

We could not have made this happen without the loving support of our new friends, Jill Yang (photo #2) and her daughter, Diya, in Seattle, and Joyce and Jack Fiel (photo #1) from Bellingham, WA. These two families became trail angels, not by visiting the trailheads, but by opening their home to Shirley and me on behalf of our mission for the Home. While I was hiking through Southern Washington, Shirley has been welcomed into Jill's home. Then Joyce and Jack opened their home to us this weekend while I completed the final 69 miles into Canada.

Sunday night, after 119 days in the wilderness, Joyce and Jack invited this old hiker, Roadrunner, and Naughty Eyes into their lovely home to help us reenter the 'valley of reality'. They fed us watermelon, ice cream and Snicker Doodle cookies. Then this morning we feasted on a true hiker breakfast. What a welcome home!

Thank you new friends!

Greybeard

DAY 119: Sunday, Aug. 24: 34 miles - TOTAL 2,663.5 PCT miles

2008-08-25T17:45:00.003-04:00

HELLO CANADA!

We have done it!

2,663.5 miles from Mexico to Canada.

Now to recount this final day!

My stomach discomfort was worse today than any of the last four days. Yesterday, I was not sure if I could do the necessary miles in two days to reach the end and beat the coming rains. As predicted, it began to rain lightly when we reached the border. We were thankful that we did not have to pitch camp again in the rain. Four rainy days in a row last week soaked most of our gear and forced us to stop to dry out, which we did at the Stehekin Ranch.

The remaining northern section of the National Pacific Crest Scenic Trail is memorable. The mountain meadows and the slopes are covered with small bushy trees. It looks like grassy slopes but the ground cover is really small, dwarf-like trees. We watched a bear down in a green valley. It appeared to be searching for food and was oblivious to 3 humans watching him from the PCT high above 'his' valley.

It was a great feeling to clear that last 7,000 footer - knowing that going down Devil's Backbone was the final down to the Border and the finish into Canada. Then to make it extra special, was the fact that I was finishing with two new friends - making two 35 mile days a fitting finish to a very long walk.

Keep hiking all you hikers!

Greybeard

DAY 118, Sat., Aug.23: 35.7 miles: TOTAL 2629.95

2008-08-25T17:29:00.004-04:00

Coordinates: 48 deg. 46'343" N; 120 deg. 42'726" W. As I trekked out of Rainy Pass, I am as tired and sick as I can remember. I have a stomach issue and the miles ahead is a traverse of multiple 2,000 ft. climb. It is going to be rough but my two hiker buddies, Naughty Eyes and Roadrunner are good company. Our plan is to get as many miles today in the beautiful sunlight so we will be able to reach Canada tomorrow afternoon. Shirley will be waiting for me in Manning Park, BC - the end of this trail.

Keep hiking,

Greybeard

UPDATE from Mon., Aug. 18 through Fri., Aug. 22: Total miles hiked to date: 2,593

2008-08-23T20:12:00.004-04:00

Let's begin with the postive! The past 5 days have taken me into some of the most rugged, yet beautiful, glaciated landscape with huge, granite rocks, overpowering canyons and dense growth of flowers, shrubs and trees. Two hikers, Roadrunner and Naughty Eyes caught up with me and the three of us decided to take the original PCT instead of the detour that was recommended by the rangers. We had reports from other hikers that the bridges were intact and even though the trail was not maintained, it was passable. We entered into the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area and then to Agnes Creek at the fast moving Stehekin River. Everything worked out for us except for the RAIN!

This brings me to the negative aspect of this week. Rain, rain, cold temperature, snow and more rain. For four days it has rained. I put on everything I had with me to try to stay dry - my 'packa', my rain jacket, my hat, my long pants and the plastic bag I carried in my pack. On Thursday night, we took a room at the Stehekin River Ranch so we could dry out our bodies and dry our sleeping bags. The accommodations was a positive! Good food and a great room to rest. I called Shirley to tell her that I would be at Rainy Pass Friday afternoon.

Shirley and I are camping at the trailhead this night, Friday, Aug. 22. We are both tried and will not be driving to a restaurant but will eat smoked salmon and crackers, then get a good nights rest. Roadrunner and Naughty Eyes are camped out here as well. We'll be getting on the trail at 6 a.m. to finish up in Manning Park - THE FINAL 69.7 miles.

Keep hiking,

Greybeard

DAY 113: August 18, 2008 187.2 miles to go!

2008-08-18T18:47:00.002-04:00

Said goodbye to each other at Stevens Pass this morning. I'll be hiking across the Glacier Peak Wilderness for the next 5 days. There is a detour off of the PCT due to storms that damaged the original trail in 2006. This should be an interesting (and challenging) few days. Will meet Shirley at Rainey Pass on Friday, Aug. 22.
Keep hiking,
Greybeard

DAY 112: Sun.,Aug.17: 25.2 miles: TOTAL 2476.3

2008-08-18T17:57:00.009-04:00

The hike today is more of yesterday’s - ascending and descending, but with a slight ease in elevation changes. The trail is washed out at several creek crossings and have to be forded. Someone camped at one creek crossing, probably hoping the ford would be easier later. It was very passable when I went by at 0730. Whoever this is has set up a tent and left a large, black, Standard-sized poodle guarding the tent. I took a picture from a distance (photo #2). That dog wasn’t about to let me get close to that tent.

There is plenty of cold water for most of this section – which is always refreshing. I’m trekking into Stevens Pass (PCT trail#2000). I’ve called Shirley and she is driving in from Seattle. We will be staying in Skykomish, at the Sky River Motel. It will be good to take a break.

Keep hiking,

Greybeard

DAY 111:Sat.,Aug.16: 34.1 miles: TOTAL 2451.1

2008-08-18T17:35:00.003-04:00

My hike today is one 2,000 ft. climb after another – separated by 2,000 ft. descents, one after another. It is very rugged terrain and the ups and downs seem to be straight up and straight down – switching back and forth. But, the passes are astounding above many beautiful meadows, lakes and waterfalls. Coordinates: 47 deg. 33’845” N; 121 deg. 08’074” W.

Keep hiking,

Greybeard

DAY 110: Fri., Aug.15. 20.9 miles: TOTAL 2417

2008-08-18T16:32:00.011-04:00

Hiked the 5.9 miles from my campsite last night to Snoqualmie Pass (photo #1) to meet Shirley. We drove across the rode to the Summit Lodge for a sit-down, "big" breakfast. Then we camped out in front of the small grocery next to the Lodge to charge my camera and load the topo maps onto my Garmin eTrex (somehow they disappeared back in Bend, OR). My 'baby' took care of everything while I talked with a couple of section hikers, ate lunch prepared by Jill Yang (the wonderful lady Shirley is staying with in Seattle), drank a half-gallon of cold milk, finished a quart of ice cream and snacked on grapes and bananas.
After I got on the trail from the pass (on a rather full stomach), I saw a sign describing the section ahead of me. It read “LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: MOST DIFFICULT.” I’ve seen lots of signs describing the “level of difficulty” of hiking trails – most say “moderate” or “difficult”. This is the first time I’ve seen one that read “most difficult.” And difficult it has been. The trail is a series of climbs, twists and turns around Commonwealth basin that traverses Pyramid Peak (photo #2) any steep slopes and great views. Elevation 5,050 ft. Coordinates for the evening are: 47 deg. 27’198” N, 121 deg. 17’905” W. Didn't get a photo of the sign, but snaped some photos of the not-so-easy trail.

Keep hiking,

Greybeard

DAY 109:Thurs.,Aug.14: 33.8 miles TOTAL 2396.1

2008-08-18T16:19:00.006-04:00

Today’s hike has been a trek of ups and downs with great views from the high points. I have a nice camp this evening with a good-water source. I’m at the edge of a forest close to a clear-cut and looking out at a beautiful view of the soon-to-cross Cascades– but I must also be parked next to a “mosquito hatchery” – they’re out in full force. Coordinates: 47 deg.22’286” N, 121 deg. 26’932”W.

Keep hiking,

Greybeard

Views from the PCT, including the TOWERING MONARCH - majestic Mt. Rainier!

2008-08-15T19:56:00.006-04:00

Three mountain passes afforded lots of camera shots the past 5 days; White Pass, Chinook Pass and Snoqualmie Pass. Enjoy!
Greybeard

KY Greybeard resupplying from the "support car" at Snoqualmie Pass

2008-08-15T19:43:00.003-04:00

DAY 109,Thurs.,Aug.14: 33.8 miles; TOTAL 2396.9

2008-08-15T19:32:00.005-04:00

Ups and downs today, with good views early on the high points. Several dense forests. I have a nice dry camp. Coordinates: 47 deg. 22'286" N; 121 deg.26'932" W.

Enjoy the photos! Mr. Frog posing for me, photo #1; another heavenly view of Rainier, photo #2; photo #3, a view of the Evergreen State. Enjoy!

Keep hiking,

Greybeard

DAY 108: Weds., Aug.13: 31.6 mi.; TOTAL 2363.9

2008-08-15T19:07:00.007-04:00

Today's hike from Chinook Pass has been a pleasant stroll in the park due to lots of easy, rolling trail with very few climbs. The views while traversing around high points on slopes generally near crests and crossing one saddle after another, were incredible - non-stop mountain peaks, deep gorges and beautiful lakes nestled in green valleys below. Photo #2 is the 'big guy' - Mt. Rainier!

I am camping in a young tree "thicket" as dense as California Chapperal (photo #2). The thicket is a result of, or follow-up of a past clearout. It is intensenly green and almost claustrophobic. Coordinates: 47 deg.07'996" N, 121 deg.19'573".

I saw my first "blackie" (bear) today, the first one this trip. It was actually a golden brown color and it DID NOT pose for me. The photo of the frog was taken near a unbelievably, serene lake.

Keep hiking,

Greybeard

DAY 107: Tues.,Aug.12: 29.3 miles: TOTAL 2332.3

2008-08-13T21:21:00.004-04:00

Some times there are no laundries nearby!
Finished up this day hike at 4:30 pm. Shirley was waiting at Chinook Pass. As usual, she had a take-out chicken dinner waiting for me and a quart of cold milk. As I have already posted, this day was a "walk in the woods". There was not much elevation change. I cleared a ridge at 12 noon and Mt. Rainier, in all its glory, loomed above me. It was magnificant! I could see Mt. Adams and almost Mt. St. Helens.

I have been leap-frogging with 4 other thru-hikers, Chunk, Water Buffalo, Britten, and Bido. They should all be ahead of me tomorrow since Shirley and I are camping tonight at Silver Creek Campground.

I saw a Marmot today. It is the first wildlife sighting larger than a squirrel I've seen in 200 miles. 331.2 miles to go!
Keep hiking,
Greybeard

DAY 107: Tues.,Aug.12 Hiking out of Hwy. 12 at White Pass

2008-08-12T12:19:00.005-04:00

What a beautiful morning. It is 6:00 am and after an evening resting, watching the Olympics, and chowing down on "home-made" Sunday Special prepared by my dear wife, I am on the trail at White Pass headed toward Chinook Pass - 30 miles north. This is a day hike, carrying a light-weight day pack. I am supplied with snacks and Deet - to deter the flying blood-sucking mosquitoes.
Shirley will be waiting for me at Chinook. The view this morning is of the towering monarch - Mt. Rainier. At 14,410 ft., this dormant volcanio is a sight to behold. Today is the most clear day I've had since crossing the state line in Oregon. Will update this post with photos as soon as possible.
After today - 331.2 miles to go.
Keep hiking,
Greybeard

THANK YOU LOUISVILLE TRAIL STORE

2008-08-11T23:42:00.007-04:00

Wanted to take time to send a great big thank you to Jim, Karen, Tim and all the good folk at the Trail Store in Louisville: http://www.louisvilletrailstore.com/! They have been supporting me on this journey on behalf of the Home of the Innocents, http://www.homeoftheinnocents.org/. They have been there for me when I needed shoes, food, and gear of every kind! The watch they supplied has come in handy so many times. Even more important than their support, the assistance and advice they gave me with regard to nuitrition and handling the heat was invaluable. The Trail Store has definitely been a valuable resource for this long-distance hiker!

Greybeard

DAY 106: Mon., Aug.11: 15.5 miles: TOTAL 2302.8

2008-08-11T22:29:00.004-04:00

Woke up to see the fog at the top of the mountain was worse than last night. I dropped off from my campsite at 6,000 ft. elevation and dropped down to 4,500 ft at Tieton Pass and then climbed up over another ridge at 6,600 ft. The trek down to White Pass was viewless and uneventful - misty fog most of the morning.

Get this - I passed by a lake called Little Mosquito Lake. In my opinion most of these lower elevation lakes are 'mosquito-ridden' lakes. The mosquitos can eat the flesh right off of you if you stand still for very long.

Roadrunner (photo #1) and I met Shirley at White Pass around 10:30 am. Spending the night in Packwood and plan to day-hike 30 miles to Chinook Pass tomorrow. Coordinates for home tonight: 46 deg. 36'470" N, 121 deg. 40'184" W.
Keep hiking,
Greybeard

DAY 105: Sun., Aug.10: 29.3 miles TOTAL 2287.3

2008-08-11T21:54:00.009-04:00

Most of today was a "walk in the woods" - but after hiking through Cispus Pass and passing by Yelverton Shelter (an emergency shelter only), I started on over Old Snowy Mountain at 7,000+ ft. elevation. Suddenly, I was surrounded by a wall of fog and finding the trail was difficult - an unnerving experience.

I met up with a guy hiking south and asked him if he was a southbounder. He said no. He was northbound but because he could not find the trail ahead, the weather was getting worse, and he was headed back to the shelter.

Depending on my GPS, I decided to stay the course and hiked on even though the fog made visibility difficult. The trail traversed up over the crest of the mountain and the wind was so strong, it was blowing me sideways. I located the trail using the eTrex and stopped at a bleak, alpine campsite. Another thru-hiker, Roadrunner, came trucking in an hour later. Coordinates: 46 deg.34'384" N 121 deg. 26'552" W.

Even though the fog was thick, and the trail elusive, the views today were "heart stopping." This area is called Goat Rocks Wilderness. The trail follows jagged, treeless, exposed ridges and I looked down on deep, glaciated canyons. This was a dramatic hike and I wouldn't have wanted to miss it.
Keep hiking,
Greybeard

DAY 104: Sat., Aug. 9: 33.3 miles: TOTAL 2258

2008-08-11T21:36:00.003-04:00

Met three Southbound thru-hikers today; Scruff, Brun, and Squeek. (Photo #1) They were the first southbounders that I have had a chance to talk with. They were just beginning and like all of us northbounders they were interested in what lies ahead. They were giving me information about snow on the trail north and I shared information from the trail south.

There were several views of Mt. Adams and the Adams Glacier, but, unfortunately, ALL of my views today were cloud-covered. There were lots of great camp sites along this 33 miles and I took photos of beautiful wildflowers. Washington is a beautiful state.
Keep hiking,
Greybeard

DAY 103: Fri.,Aug.8: 33.3 miles: TOTAL 2247.7

2008-08-11T21:18:00.002-04:00

Hiked out of Panther Creek CG Trailhead. Coordinates: 46 deg.06'962"N, 121 deg. 45'386" W. Many ups and downs but also a lot of flat area with waist-high vegetation. At hiking for hundreds of miles, these climbs are fairly easy. The forests are lush with trees very much like those along the Appalachian, Douglas Firs, Alders and Maples. Also, I've had a few views of Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Adams. I've been sampling Salmon Berries, Rasberries and Thimble Berries along the trail. Great on-the-trail snacking.
Keep Hiking,
Greybeard

Strange Scenes from the Trail

2008-08-11T20:29:00.004-04:00

Photo #1: Some of the bags that a man was packing on the trail. Photo #2: someone left a pair of jeans and a sign that said "SIGN ME".

Keep hiking,

Greybeard

THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING NEW SPONSOR

2008-08-09T19:41:00.009-04:00

Landmark Ford
12000 SW 66th Ave.,Tigard, OR 97223

http://www.landmarkford.com/

Shirley is here supporting me for the rest of my hike. As you would guess, it can be costly. Thanks to Landmark Ford, Rental Division, for providing a discount on a rental vehicle. They are doing this on behalf of our mission to raise funds for the Home of the Innocents, http://www.homeoftheinnocents.org/

Thank you Landmark Ford!

Greybeard

DAY 102: Thurs., Aug 7, 35.5 mi.: TOTAL 2191.1

2008-08-08T19:32:00.013-04:00

Hit the trail this morning at 5:50 am - day hiking from the PCT trailhead at Bridge of the Gods, Hwy. 14: Coordinates: 45 deg 19’203” N, 121 deg 52’638” W. The climb out of the Gorge was not as difficult as I expected. I got to Wind River bridge crossing around 4:30 pm. Shirley was there waiting for me. She had fried chicken and a large order of home fries ready for me to chow down on. I am always ready to eat after a day of hiking. And, I seem to crave cold milk on this hike more than I ever did when I hiked the Appalachian Trail back in 1999. There is nothing like a cold quart of milk at the end of a trekking day.
Three section hikers were also at the bridge: Hansel, Gretle and Lars. (Photo #1) It was great talking with them about their hikes over the years. The PCT truely is a remarkable trail, one that can be enjoyed by many different types of people and free-spirited hikers. I have had numerous conversations with 'friendly folk' along the trail and some unique individuals as well. Today I met a man with 5 suitcases, a backpack and a 5 gal. plastic 'jerry' can. He was carrying one case at a time down the PCT, going back and forth to haul his belongings down the trail. The large bags were 60 to 70 lbs. I talked with him awhile and then passed on by. I don't know this man's background, but will keep him in my thoughts and prayers.
Staying at Panther Lake Campground this night with my sweetheart. It has been a wonderful PCT day.
Keep hiking,
Greybeard