Arrived in Chester, a new chapter begins

We drove 8 hours yesterday.
Ellen "Wayfinder" (driver) is an experienced hiker and has done the PCT , or parts of it several times.
As we drove through a landscape changing from desert to verdant green forests it became clear that a totally different trail is waiting for us in northern California, Oregon and Washington.
Lakes forests and rivers await us, but also mosquitos, bears and mountain lions. Throughout the drive talk was about how to protect yourself from mosquitos, and how to behave when you meet a bear. Food now has to be packed in a bear canister or "ursack" made of bulletproof kevlar, that a bear cannot open.
As the stories of encounters with bears and Cougars (mountain lions) weave between the hikers in the car, a feeling of unease grows. How am I going to handle these new challenges and fears?
I suppose, the same way I met my fear of rattle snakes, "just do it!"

We are staying at a trail angel called Michael in the "pfauhaus". 7 hikers in a tiny room .
This morning at dawn I am woken by a concert of birds. Yes, the birds that eat the mosquitos that are going to eat me
Yea, a totally new trail is bout to begin!!!!Read more