News

October 29, 2004
This is the end of our PCT journal, and the last email update. We've been making corrections and additions to the web site, including:

Shows: our schedule of slide show presentations this winter
Donate: support the PCTA, which maintains the trail
FAQ: to keep us from repeating ourselves too much
The Cast: pictures of the characters we met, and links to their journals

If you haven't done so already, we'd love to hear from you. Also, there are a bunch of unfamiliar email addresses on the list. If you think yours might be one of them, let us know who you are, how you found out about us, and why you followed along. We're just curious.

Thanks for following along. We assume that since you stuck with us so long, that you enjoyed the trip. Happy trails, and VOTE!

September 28, 2004
Hooray! We've made it to Manning Park. The last few days have been gloriously sunny and clear. A great way to end. Now to Vancouver.

September 24, 2004
We reached Stehekin today – only 90 miles to go! After leaving Skykomish, the last section included a 50 mile road walk that is the larger part of the detour caused by last year’s washouts. It was rather hard on our feet. While it’s been moist and foggy, right now it’s beautifully sunny and the outlook for the rest of the trip looks like great weather. We picked up our packages and will enjoy relaxing in the sun for a few for hours until the bus comes to take us 10 miles back to the trail.

September 19, 2004
A new FAQ section has been added to the website. For the moment there are only a few questions and answers. If you would like to ask Dave and Lexi a question, please feel free to email pct@studiozoic.com.

September 9, 2004
We are in Snoqualmie Pass now. The weather looks uninspirational. We thought it was supposed to be nice for a week but turned out to be nice for only for a day and a half. It’s colder now so we're easting more, which is weird being that we’re already eating a ton. We think we’ll head out this afternoon to arrive at Skykomish first thing on Monday to pick up our drop box at the PO.

August 27, 2004
We survived bad hypothermia and a scary crossing of the Sandy River to pull into Cascade Locks. We resealed our tent and are preparing for Washington. Only 500 to go!

For the story about a hiker who died in the Sandy River:
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/109360808447360.xml

August 23, 2004
They have just arrived at Timberline Lodge on the side of Mt. Hood.
They are staying overnight at this really nice lodge and are getting dry.
It has been raining for the past two days; this is just their second and third rain days of the trip. More rain is forecast for the next few days.
They intend to continue on the trail tomorrow.

This has been the first real test of their tent and it leaks. The problem is just the seams and they will reseal the seams once the tent drys out, probably in Cascade Locks which is two days further north.

The Timberline Lodge was built by the WPA using stone and huge wood beams. Its really nice and would be a nice place for a family get together.

Because of the lousy weather and rain one can't see anything. So even if they had their climbing gear (crampons, ice axes, etc.) they wouldn't climb Mt. Hood now.

At some gathering a few days ago, they saw pictures taken during a
2002 hike. Because of many wildfires there was lots of smoke and no views but amazing sunsets.

August 18, 2004
Yesterday was a zero day. They spent two nights with folks they met previously at their home in Bend OR. They'll be back on the trail today.

Dave acquired his 4th pair of shoes. He hopes they will last to the end. Lexi will have been through 5 pairs.

August 17, 2004
Hi from Bend. Last night we stayed with folks who gave us a ride into Chester. They're great and cooking us food, so we're staying tonight too.

August 16, 2004
We're in Sisters, more than halfway done with Oregon. Compared to California, this state is a miniature! We're truckin' along just fine, and Dave just got new shoes.

August 12, 2004
We arrived at Shelter Cove and picked up our supply box. Before arriving in town Dave and Too Obtuse climbed up Mt. Thielsen as a side trip and experienced some exposed rock climbing at the top and the views from the top were fabulous. We’re about to head down the road and get some pizza.

August 4, 2004
We’ve reached Ashland, Oregon! We spent the day buying food, shipping off packages, and making plans for what we'll do once we reach Canada. We made flight arraignments to leave from Seattle, WA October 4th, so even with 1721.5 miles under our feet, there’s still 927 miles to go and many more experiences before we have to leave the trail. We’ll be hitting the trail again later this afternoon.

In the last section we had our battle with the Seiad Valley Resaurant Pancake Challenge. Dave was able to get through 4 of the large plate sized 3/4” think pancakes with onlookers cheering on. With the record of 5 pancakes only being achieved by a handful of eaters 4 is a very good feat for a PCT hiker. Dave was even able to stand up and climb another 2000’ in the following section that day.

July 27, 2004
We're in Etna, and have already enjoyed milkshakes and a watermelon phosphate (a zingy cold drink). We were planning to pick up food and get back to the trail, but we have found free accomodations with laundry, showers, computer,..... so we might be here tonight.

July 23, 2004
Dave and Lexi arrived in Weed, CA today after hiking over Mt. Shasta. The climb over Shasta was difficult for Dave due to elevation effects as they've been at lower elevations since the High Sierras. After checking email they will be hitting the trail again this afternoon with a fresh four day supply of food.

July 13, 2004
They arrived at the town of Chester earlier today. This is an actual town
and was convenient.
Yesterday they did 31 miles!! They were motivated to get to town for French Toast.
They are now half way and have done 1329 miles. The weather is great. Conditions are getting dryer and the mosquitos aren't quite as bad.

They will continue on the trail later in the day.

July 11, 2004
We have reached Belden and are in the process of taking showers and getting cleaned up.
The last section took us through a lot of poison oak. We're killing some time until we go over the next hill. Everything's cool. Ta Ta!

July 5, 2004
Last night we arrived at Pooh Corner, ate an enormous buffet dinner with 20 other hikers, and watched the fireworks over Donner Lake. Now Bill is cooking pancakes and eggs for everyone.

July 1, 2004
We´re in South Lake Tahoe, at the South Shore Inn, with loads of other hikers. Tonight we hit the all you can eat buffet at Ceaser´s Palace.

June 20, 2004
We arrived in Tuolumne Meadows (935.7) in Yosemite this afternoon. We’re hanging with Kurt, Noreen and their adorable one year old, Sarah. They brought lots of food and we hope to hang out with them Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday we’re setting aside for rock climbing, and we hope to be back on the trail Thursday. The last 2 days have been easier, with fewer elevation changes. Yesterday pea sized hail rained down on us.

June 18, 2004
Dave and Lexi arrived at Red's Meadows (900.7), which is just west of Mammouth Lake, this afternoon. Dave called his mother to wish her a happy birthday. Their pace has slowed somewhat to only 17 miles a day, now that they are in the mountains. There are many stream crossings, some that are waist deep. They also have to climb over numerous passes, some with 4000' elevation gains.

June 10, 2004
Dave & Lexi emerged to the “civilization” of Independence (mile 784.4) yesterday afternoon. The last day has been full of extremes. Trekking over Mt Whitney was great, but being up that high meant temps were in the teens. Yesterday morning it was snowing and we had visions of a hot tub. But when we descended into town, it was 80 degrees so we opted for popsicles.

Today we’re heading via bus to Bishop to do a little shopping. Lexi’s shoes have worn out and the replacements we ordered are too small. Either this model is a smaller size or her feet have grown. We’ll be picking up some groceries and hopefully getting back to the trail this afternoon. Since the trail is quite a bit out of town on a lightly traveled road it all depends on how the bus / hitching works out. We’re staying at a Motel 6 with the bonus amenity that the housekeepers will do a load of laundry for $3 per load! Everything is good!

June 3, 2004
Our resupply box came yesterday just after we were looking for it. The UPS guy came and dropped it off. So we are totally cool. Everything is great. We are hanging out here in Kennedy Meadows today doing a bunch of nothing, writing postcards, and we are going to head out first thing tomorrow morning with out bear cans and our ice axes and heading into the High Sierras for lots of fun.

-Dave

May 26, 2004
They are in the town of Mojave CA

The temperature was cooler so they did not hike at night. They've been averaging about 23 miles per day. Today they did 16. The town of Mojave is some 10 miles from where the trail crosses the highway in the middle of nowhere. They (5 of them) got a ride in the cab of a semi. They spent the day walking through wind farms. The average wind is 50mph.

Next will be the laundry and then with others they will go across the street for dinner. They are staying at a Motel 6 which has a pool with water; a strange thing in the middle of a desert. There is a large grocery store nearby. Also nearby is an airport with many parked airplanes. They park unneeded planes here because the air is so dry.

May 19, 2004
We're in Agua Dulce at the Saufley's. We'll be taking advantage of their awesome hospitality and resting for a day or two, and packing up our food for the Sierra.

May 10, 2004
Dave and Lexi (now known on the trail as "Packman" and "Wildflower") called in some administrative tasks. Despite some pretrip anxiety about the last section’s 9,000’ descent, their knees are doing fine. After checking email and stocking up at the grocery store, they will be heading out of Big Bear this afternoon. All is well.

May 9, 2004
Dave called his parents this evening to say Happy Mother's Day.
They arrived at Big Bear City around 1 this afternoon after hiking some 16 miles.
Everybody is staying at a Motel 6.
Two nights ago was the first and so far only night that they camped alone.
They spent the afternoon doing the laundry and while the machines did their thing they ate ice cream and donuts at a shop next door.
Their food has worked out well. When they need to eat more they just add fat (clarified butter that Lexi had prepared in advance) to the pot.
Their water bottles froze last night and now at 5pm it is around 80 degrees.

They have seen 3 rattlesnakes, lots of lizards, and many cacti in bloom.
Some smoke from the Southern California forest fires has been visible and it has caused a smokey haze.
They are a couple of days ahead of schedule because of a miscalculation in how long it would take to get from Warner Springs to Idyllwild. Their pace is as expected and their feet are much better now.
Dave is trying to figure out what to do for a special dessert for Tuesday which is Lexi's birthday!
They expect to stay in Big Bear City until sometime tomorrow.

May 06, 2004
Dave and Lexi's PCT adventures are well underway. Stay up to date with them by signing up for Update Notification which will email you when new journal entries are posted.
   - Pete

May 5, 2004 9:39am PST (Phone message)
We are just about to leave Idyllwild. The library with internet access wasn’t open so we just didn’t do that. Feel free to send that first box to Dona Saufley whenever you feel like it. We don’t need anything else. So we’re doing great.

We’re headed to Big Bear now. We’re doing a small detour to hike over San Jacinto peak which is 10,800ft. We’ll be in Big Bear in about 5 days. We’re doing great. In the mountains here there’s snow, it’s warm but our feet are doing better and we’re doing great.

-- Dave

April 30, 2004
Dave and Lexi arrived at Warner Springs (MP110.6) in the afternoon yesturday. They had a soak in the hot springs and a buffet dinner. They retrieved the bump box, and sent it on ahead. Averaging 2 1/2 - 3mph, the walking is easy.
The scenery is very beautiful and they are going through many different ecosystems including deserts, forests and chaparral.
They won 3 prizes in the gear contests. They got a 3rd prize for the tent and an HM for overall gear. A DVD is being mailed to Pete.

The extreme range of temperatures is impacting what they do.
One day they got up and immediately started walking at 5:00am with a temperature of 34 degrees. They ate breakfast as they walked. This was to minimize the afternoon time when the temperature got up to 104 degrees and they had to hop from the shade of one rock to the next
They have heat blisters on the bottoms of their feet (everyone else does also) and need to air their feet at every opportunity.
They enjoyed the gathering and gained lots of info about water locations which rules their lives.
They have taken lots of pictures and a CD is being sent to Pete and Noe.

--Rough Transcription of phone call to Ralph & Jenni Blumenthal and another to Pete Blumenthal

April 22, 2004
At first light tommorrow morning, we'll be in Campo, and stick a toe in Mexican soil. We'll be off!

January 29, 2004
Trail Angel Heaven: updated trail conditions
PCT Water Reports for Southern California
pct-l email list

December 13, 2003
Due to heavy rains in 2003, much of the trail near Glacier Peak was washed away. Out intended detour: Leave the PCT at White Pass. Hike down the White River to Boulder Creek. Hike up Boulder Creek and cross Boulder pass into Napeequa Valley. Exit Napeequa either over High Pass to Buck Creek Pass. From here there are several trails that connect to the PCT and Lake Chelan. Detailed description and maps showing the trailless area of High Pass are at http://www.phlumf.com/pct/pctalt.htm

November, 2003
Trail Closure announced by Mountaintop RD/SBNF affects PCT Section C from 3N16 on Holcomb Creek (Mile 293.8) to Cajon Junction at I-15 (Mile 344.7). This closure, resulting from recent wildfires, affects about 51 miles of the trail and could be long-term because of the damage to Splinters bridge across Deep Creek. The alternatives listed below are dangerous if attempted on foot (heavy traffic on narrow mountain roads) and suicidal for stock. The only viable alternative is for hikers/equestrians to arrange in advance for transportation around the burn area before they reach Big Bear. Bill McConnell, our Area Coordinator in Big Bear, will post the latest closure information at the PCTA Trail Register at the Post Office in Big Bear City. We will also post notices of the closure in trail registers south and north of Big Bear.


SBNF lists these options
1) exit hwy 18 at Johnson Grade and drive to where the PCT crosses I15 at Cajon Pass
2) take PCT to 3N16 at Holcomb Creek and bail out on 3N16 to Green Valley Lake Rd then take hwy 18 to 330 (when these roads reopen to all traffic) to San Bernardino to I15.
3) Jump off the PCT at Little Bear Springs then travel 3N14 out to Apple Valley (this option is only workable if the gate at Big Pine Flat remains open).

The rumor on the Deep Creek Hot Springs Discussion Forum is that the San Bernardino NF tentatively plans reopen the Deep Creek area on 15-Mar-2004. For the definitive word on current plans, call the Sky Forest RS, 909-382-2782 or 909-337-2444, and ask for Brad Burns or Norma Bailey.