My dad hiked in Copper Canyon and always told me that I had to see it some day.
My friends Swami and Trauma are taking off to thru-hike Mexico’s Copper Canyon. I’m super impressed and will definitely be following along.
If my experience in canyon country is any indication, their trip in Mexico is going to be very hard. I can’t imagine many other people who’d be as prepared to take on this trip as they are.
The sleeping bag speed stuffing event during the Hiker Olympics. Anish won the event and eventually the gold.
I attended another wonderful hiker gathering last weekend. The size, format, venue and schedule of this ALDHA-W Gathering seemed just right. Not too big, not too small. Just a perfect weekend of slideshows and hanging out with really great people. You are some impressively strong, skilled and experienced hikers. Hot damn that’s a lot of walking. Thanks for being my friends.
After the Gathering, I spent the rest of the long weekend higher up in the hills. We lunched in Downieville, snacked in Sierra City, camped at Packer Lake (in a fall drizzle), and road tripped through the “lost Sierra”. Ambling around Truckee, Tahoe City, the lake, shopping for a SUP and exploring the Donner party’s history happened too.
Reading small town bulletin boards is a worthwhile way to spend my time.
We really enjoyed being hit by the first storm of the season.
I like backpacking in foul weather and rotten conditions. This weekend we were out in the Sierra’s largest September storm that I can remember.
The forecast was spot on. By early afternoon it was blowing sideways. A strong cold front blew late into the night, then crisp blue skies greeted us in the morning. We front-loaded the hiking, choosing to keep walking and do most of the miles on Saturday in the storm. Aiming for a lower, more protected lake was part of the goal. My four-season tent was a good choice.
With 6-8 inches covering the trail we set tracks on the seven miles to the trailhead.
I’d saved this loop for an off-peek period as it’s one of the most popular in the country. We nearly had it to ourselves.
I got to see the Rim Fire on the drive home. My primary feeling is that of disappointment, knowing that the burn extends across ridges and valleys far beyond the eye can see. I’m aiming to do a burn exploration and fungi hunting trip next spring.
I traveled to Oregon for my first ever PCT Days. I love hiker gatherings and this one ranked right up there with the best.
I’ll write more on the PCTA blog.
With the little time I had before returning to the airport, I rode bikes, ate at a food truck and went to the Portland Art Museum.
We caught the last day of Cyclepedia.
I lingered here for over an hour.
It poured on the second half of my hike. Thankfully, I was prepared after having accounted for the weather forecast. Pack cover, pack liner, dry bags for everything, ziplocks, a floorless tarp, good rain gear, a rain skirt and an umbrella. Instead of being a downer, the rain was a fun bonus.
This section of the PCT is one of the trail’s most scenic. It’s high, jagged, and beautiful. Traveling at far less than my thru-hike’s pace, I had time to sleep, stare, ponder and play. I also chose my night’s destination based largely on it’s beauty. Picking those gems made for a more special trip. I jumped in lakes three times between the deluges.
While I had the time and intention to do some side trips. I didn’t. They were all either too much work, or too stuck in the clouds.
Through the most dramatic areas, the clouds only made the mountains more interesting. I watched at they moved up and over ridges, screamed past summits and blew across lakes. Luckily, the heavy weather came during the less stunning stretches.
Chased by the rain and moving with Waterman, a distance hiker from New Zealand, I moved out of the backcountry a day early. The two nights at the Dinsmore’s were plain old fun. Getting to know Jerry and Andrea better was a big bonus to this hike. The thru-hikers passing by were all happy, fun and jazzed. The first bearded face in the dorm was my good friend Gehaz. We met hiking in Nepal in 2009 and it was great to reconnect with him in such an unexpected place.
The last day, Hot Sister, a friend from PCT ’06, picked me up, put me up and toured me around Seattle. We went to somewhere north of 25 separate places and now I know for sure that it’s a really great city.
Thanks also to Magic Man for the very kind airport pickup, conversation and ride to the crest. I found some hikers after you left and they gobbled the donuts.
I'm Jack Haskel 