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PCT 2023
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PCT 2023

"Tell me, what else should I have done? Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon? Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" - Mary Oliver Read more
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  • mimi singerPCT 2023Traveler
    The one photo I took of the hike today 😅
    WAC1Hitches to town

    Day 107 - Snoqualmie

    August 15, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 86 °F

    Miles hiked: 22
    Campsite: Washington alpine club
    Weather: high 90s and ☀️
    One word to describe the day: townnnnn

    I find myself rushing to get to town on a town day. This stretch was hot, dry and not the most amazing so I was really ready for real food and a shower. I also wanted to beat the heat so I booked it as fast as I could. I got into town around 2pm. Got some food and a drink at a local spot called Dru Bru, in the AC. I met a guy named Joe who struck up a convo with me. Super nice guy who lives nearby. He happened to be a volunteer/member at the Washington Alpine club (WAC) which was where I am staying, so he drove me there after I was done eating.

    WAC was built over 90 years ago. It's all volunteer run, and is the most popular in winter months. But they open it up to PCT hikers in the summer which is great for us! Tonight a hiker from the Netherlands volunteered to cook dinner. He is making pasta and salad! Mel gets in tomorrow. It's gonna be hot so we plan to leave in the evening.

    I got the unfortunate news that the border is closed because of a fire. Honestly, I'm sad but this year especially has taught me to just roll with the punches. I can come back and do it another time if I can't this year. For now, I will go as far north as I safely can. This is just the unfortunate reality of the PCT. I'm glad I am doing it while I still can!    Read more

  • mimi singerPCT 2023Traveler
    Seattle was pretty crazy after trail life!
    Smokey(Mel), pinecone(Maggie), chair bear(pat), and tall boy(Lars)Pack princess (bailey) and blister 182 (Ian)

    108 - 112 roll with the punches

    August 16, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 88 °F

    I met up with Mel this morning and we decided to reassess the plan due to multiple fires that had started around the border and closed trail miles. We decided to head back to cascade locks for PCT days. After trail days, we are going to head back to the Sierra section! I'll try and make it back to the final Washington section at the very end if the weather cooperates. 🤞

    We hopped on a shuttle from Snoqualmie to Seattle with another hiker, stroker who is from the Netherlands. He got heat stroke on day 2. We got some food in Seattle and hopped on the final bus to PDX. A trail angel named superbloom picked us up and took us to cascade locks. The final stretch to hood river was provided by trail angels Ian and Riley.

    The next day Mel and I made plans for the sierra, booked flight and prepped for the next section. I went down to the beach with Riley and Ian to play fetch. Mel and I are going to split from Reno. She is going back to chester and heading south. I am going to donner pass and heading south. I'll be skipping 160 miles and do the best of the sierra to be done by early oct. All in all I will have hiked 2350 miles of the PCT. Id say that's pretty damn good after such a challenging year. I'm sad to part from Mel but I'll meet new people and I'm so excited for the final stretches left. I'm really saving the best for last! Fingers crossed the fires get under control by the time I return and I can finish at the terminus!

    PCT day was so fun. It was awesome to see some hikers that I haven't seen since the desert section. Most of the people I hiked with in the desert are still on the trail. May 2nd going strong!! There were a ton of vendors there giving out gear and swag. Thunder Island had a party at the brewery with the unicycling unicorn 🦄 lol. He was a thru hiker himself and just finished the CDT.

    Tomorrow morning I'm catching a 5:45am flight to Reno and will make my way to Donner Pass via buses. Luckily I think I'll just miss the worst of hurricane Hillary, which is hitting the sierra on Sunday/Monday. I am going to try and do the entire sierra section without 'leaving' except for getting off trail to resupply in South lake Tahoe. The rest of the way I can resupply at points along the trail. My longest stretch will be 150 miles from Vermillion valley resort to cottonwood pass, and that will include my summit of Mt Whitney.    Read more

  • mimi singerPCT 2023Traveler
    1I hate leaving Riley 😭
    Color tvs 👀Hikers don't belong hereFound a nice place for dinner1

    Day 113

    August 20, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 59 °F

    Miles hiked: 0 trail miles - maybe around 5 Reno miles 🤪
    Campsite: circus circus 🎪
    Weather: cloudy and 60s
    One day to describe the day: trippy

    This morning we woke up at 3:30 to catch a 5:45am flight. I had dejavou checking in at the same place I did at the very start of the trip. And since Mel and I are parting ways I feel like I am starting all over again! It's very strange. But I'm very excited for the sierra section of the trail.

    When I got into Reno I slightly adjusted my plans to avoid some of this hurricane that is passing through the sierra. I decided to stay in Reno for the night and take the Amtrak to Truckee in the morning. Hotels are cheaper in Reno and the Amtrak is only 9 bucks! Mel and I got some tasty Mexican food and booked a night at circus circus. Wow what a culture shock! I was going to do a little gambling but decided not too because the tables all had high minimum bets. No poor people tables to be found!

    I was scrolling Facebook and noticed a post from a hiker saying the buses to Chester were fully booked and was looking to connect with other people who needed to go there. Which is where Mel needed to go. We called and the hiker was crocket, a hiker we had been with in the desert. And he happened to be in the same hotel we were at, right around the corner. Small world. Anyways, they got a plan figured out!

    I'm ready to get on the trail but want to avoid the hurricane and inches of rain that are forecasted. I'm just gonna keep an eye on the weather and make a game time decision tomorrow if I am going to get on the trail tomorrow.    Read more

  • mimi singerPCT 2023Traveler
    Side trip to donner ski ranch

    Day 114

    August 21, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F

    Miles hiked: 10.4
    Campsite: 1507.5
    Weather: scattered showers & 60s
    One word to describe the day: unpredictable

    I enjoyed my last night of sleeping in a bed. Got a very good night sleep! I think the next few weeks will be quite challenging but I'm ready for it! I said goodbye to mel this morning and headed to the Amtrak station.

    A trail friend of mine, Maggie, lives in Truckee. She gave me some food suggestions to check out while I was in town. Went and got some avocado toast and coffee at do more coffee. Took the free bus around Truckee to a place called the Golden rotisserie to pick up a burrito to eat on the trail. After that I did my first solo hitch, sorry Mom! I've got rules to follow to keep me safe. A nice guy named Brian pulled over to pick me up. He said he never picks up hitchhikers but he decided to pick me up because I look like his daughter. He was in the middle of zoom calls for work. After he was done with his calls, we chatted for a bit. He was very impressed by the fact that I'm doing the PCT. He had done the El Camino which is in Spain. And plans on doing a trail that goes across America next year when he retires.

    Now I'm officially a southbound thru hiker! It feels weird. It feels like I'm going the wrong direction, but I'm sure I'll get used to it eventually. There's less trail markers this way because less people go southbound. The scenery is so gorgeous. I feel like I'm in the Sierra is already! Hurricane Hillary brought me some unpredictable weather. The forecast looked really good when I left Truckee. It was just calling for a few scattered showers. Which was the case until it wasn't and started raining harder. I booked it to the nearest campsite, set up my tent and curled into my sleeping bag. Tomorrow should be better!    Read more

  • mimi singerPCT 2023Traveler

    Day 115

    August 22, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 52 °F

    Miles hiked: 23.8
    Campsite: 1531 (realized my miles will be going sobo for the Sierra)
    Weather: cloudy and 60s
    One word to describe the day: adjustments

    This morning it was hard to get out of my sleeping bag. It was quite cold and windy. My hiking clothes were still wet and so were my shoes. Luckily it was just overcast all day and didn't continue to rain. After a few hours of hiking, everything was dry. I had some great views of lake Tahoe. The trail head been pretty quiet in this section. I've only seen two other thru hikers. I'm hoping that I will see some more people when I go into Tahoe for resupply. I enjoy hiking alone but I do enjoy the company of others as well!

    It's been a struggle getting back into the trail groove. Getting on and off trail has been mentally challenging. But I'm doing my best to reset mentally in this section. I want to enjoy this because I know if I took a couple weeks off from work to do the section of trail it would be a bucket list item. This will be over before I know it and I'm going to wish I was back here.    Read more

  • mimi singerPCT 2023Traveler
    5Dessert for lunch
    Riley look alike 🥰1Top notch campsite as aloha lake

    Day 116

    August 23, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

    Miles hiked: 23.6
    Campsite: aloha lake
    Weather: 70s and ☀️
    One word to describe the day: bear!

    Today I hike through desolation wilderness. Bear cans are required for this 19 mi section because they've had a lot of issues in the past with Bear is getting into bare hangs. I was listening to a podcast in the morning and out of my other ear I heard what sounded like maybe a moose? I took my one earbud out and looked over to my left and saw a baby cub about 20 ft away.😳 I started making loud noises, banged my poles together and quickly moved away from it. It was being very vocal. I think it was lost and trying to find its mama. I didn't see any other bears around but I could hear it whining as I walked away. It made me sad! It was so tiny. First bear encounter of the trail! I guess the bear requirements are for good reason!

    I had a lovely lunch break at Velma lakes. I passed a bunch more lakes on the way up to the top of dicks pass which tops out at 9400 ft. This area is so pretty. It looks a lot like the Sierras. I met the cutest doodle who was doing the entire Tahoe rim trail with his owner. He stopped and let me pet his dog for a while. It made me miss Riley! Of course I run into a doodle that looks like Riley just as I was working through my home sickness!

    It still has been pretty quiet on the trail. I've seen some day hikers and some people doing the Tahoe rim trail but only one person doing the PCT. The after was sooo pretty. It got me really excited for the Sierra. Lake after lake and granite peaks 😍    Read more

  • mimi singerPCT 2023Traveler
    Pica!Trail friendsEcho lake has the most amazing old cabins 😍Bought some new cheap sandals at the campground. Darn mice!So much climbing the second half of the day

    Day 117

    August 24, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 57 °F

    Miles hiked: 14
    Campsite: 1570.8
    Weather: 70s and ☀️
    One word to describe the day: determination

    This morning I woke up with a pretty terrible headache. I think it's a combination of dehydration but also my body adjusting to the altitude. One good thing about going south is I'm gradually getting higher in elevation as I hike further into the Sierra and ending at the highest point, Mount Whitney. If I was going north I would have started right at Mount Whitney. I'm sure my body will adjust and things will get better, but if not I do have altitude medication just in case.

    This morning I only had 7 mi to get to the road to South lake Tahoe where I will resupply for the next stretch. I'm going to get back on trail today as well to keep the momentum going. I saw a pika on trail finally! I'm sure a million have passed me. I just haven't seen them. They are so freaking cute! I want one! I passed echo lake which has the most adorable old Forest cabins. Seriously what a stunning place for a home. Prob most peoples second homes, ha.

    I was walking past a cabin and a man was out working on it. He sneezed and I screamed 'bless you!' He asked me if I was hiking the PCT and that struck up a convo. He then said he had to run into south lake to go to ace and offered me a ride! The trail provides. Thank you Todd! The Tahoe valley campground was sooo hiker friendly. They have two sites set aside for hikers to stay at for free. Free showers and laundry for $3.50! A mama bear and cub made a visit to the campground and ran away with someones trash. 🐻

    I ordered a Lyft to get back to the trailhead. And started hiking around 5:30. I did 2000 feet in elevation gain and 7 miles by 7:30 😅 I was trying to get to a lake before dark but luckily came upon the most perfect vista. And a trail friend (Moses) I had met with Ian in sisters was there setting up camp!    Read more

  • mimi singerPCT 2023Traveler

    Day 118

    August 25, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 57 °F

    Miles hiked: 25.8
    Campsite: 1596.7
    Weather: 70s and sunny
    One word to describe the day: views

    Wow today was pretty, the views are getting better and better. The days are also getting shorter so I feel a bit rushed to make the miles everyday. Right now I'm sitting in my tent and it's dark. Exhausted and ready for sleep but I want to write a few things down.

    Walked on and off with Moses today. I'm glad he was around because at the end of the day I came across a spot I didn't want to cross alone. We made it across safely! I came across a little trail magic mid morning that was provided by volunteers at a visitor center for the forest we were in. Can of coke, Oreos and an apple! And I came across a lot of day hikers who gave me a much needed boost! They were all amazed, impressed, and intrigued. Anyway I'm exhausted, that's all for tonight.    Read more

  • mimi singerPCT 2023Traveler
    I was dragging. Sometimes you just gotta lay down!2Instant mashed potatoes, cornbread stuffing, gravy, bacon bits, cranberry and almonds 👨‍🍳

    Day 119

    August 26, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 57 °F

    Miles hiked: 24
    Campsite: 1620.3
    Weather: 70s and ☀️
    One word to describe the day: tired

    I didn't sleep great last night, I think I'm getting a cold. I'm pretty sure it's my body telling me to stop it already. But I'm pretty impressed with my body too. The fact that I went this long without getting sick is amazing. I still hiked 24 miles today and got into camp much earlier which is what I was hoping to do. I want to try and get a good night's sleep tonight. I still haven't seen any other hikers going my direction on trail! Tomorrow I get into Kennedy meadows north! I think that's the official start of the Sierra! I'm hoping there will be more hikers there to connect with before continuing on.Read more

  • mimi singerPCT 2023Traveler
    1Trail magic ✨2Resident 🐶

    Day 120

    August 27, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 59 °F

    Miles hiked: 16
    Campsite: Kennedy Meadows resort
    Weather: 70s and ☀️
    One word to describe the day: rest

    I did not get a great night's sleep last night. My watch tells me how well I sleep and it gave me a score of 30 and 'poor recovery ' which is quite low and not what I wanted. I don't know how accurate It is, but it's always fun to look at. In the morning. I felt like I slept '30'. 😓 I was dragging up the climbs today but luckily only had 16 mi to get into Kennedy Meadows. The climb I had today got me up to 10,500 ft in elevation. The highest one yet! It will only get higher from here.

    Kennedy Meadows North is super cute. It's a tiny little resort. And has been around for over 100 years. They told me they are the original Kennedy Meadows. Kennedy Meadows South Just piggybacked off them, I smell some beef. And literally because they raise cattle here. I was told to get the steak at the restaurant, which I did. And it was delicious! Definitely the fanciest meal I've had on trail yet. There are some other hikers here which is awesome. I'm going to head back to the trail tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. with four other hikers. Bubbles, the professor, bunny and cedar. I Actually met bubbles early on in the desert! Moses had to hitch into another town to pick up a package but will try and catch up with us all. I'm very excited to sleep in a bed tonight and took NyQuil cold and flu to ensure a good night sleep. And I can even sleep in a little tomorrow morning!    Read more

  • mimi singerPCT 2023Traveler
    Sonora passFirst of many damaged bridges from last winters snow21Camp at Dorothy lakeYosemite wilderness 😍

    Day 121

    August 28, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 55 °F

    Miles hiked: 20
    Campsite: Dorothy lake
    Weather: more 70s and sunny!
    One word to describe the day: sierra!!

    I got a great night's sleep thanks to niquil! I got pancakes and bacon before I headed back on trail. It was $50 to stay at Kennedy Meadows North resort. But that included a bed, shower, laundry, wifi and a ride to the trailhead in the morning! They were so nice there. Highly recommend. It felt like I was in a western movie. With real cowboy/girls and all!

    The first part of the hike was so beautiful but also challenging! I was around some other hikers but we were all hiking at different speeds so I lost them throughout the day. We had some snow crossings that were fine but I had to slow down for them. The middle of the day was calm and easy. And then the last part of the day was mosquito hell. I was literally running and still couldn't get away from them. But I'm officially in Yosemite wilderness! Very excited. Hopefully the mosquitos are better tomorrow 😓. Tonight I am camping at Dorothy lake with another hiker I met a few weeks ago but haven't seen since. Her name is ditcher 🤪.    Read more

  • mimi singerPCT 2023Traveler
    Morning dewFelt good on the feet!1Ran into Moses again!Big wallsBenson lake

    Day 122

    August 29, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 57 °F

    Miles hiked: 24.1
    Campsite: Benson lake
    Weather: more 70 and 😎 🦟
    One word to describe the day: rocky

    Today was my first full day in Yosemite. I had beautiful view after beautiful view. The mosquitoes sucked but the views made up for it. I had my first River crossing today where I had to get wet. But it was easy peasy. I'm trying to wake up a little earlier so I don't feel as rushed throughout the day. I'll report back on that tomorrow. Im sleeping at Benson lake tonight. It was .4 off the PCT so it better be good 🤪. Happy to report it was! People call it the "Riviera of the Sierra" because it's got a sandy beach! Camping again with ditcher tonight and a few other weekend backpacker.Read more

  • mimi singerPCT 2023Traveler
    1Sometimes it's a balancing act 😅

    Day 123

    August 30, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 57 °F

    Miles hiked: 23
    Campsite: 1704
    Weather: 70s and sunny
    One word to describe the day: vertical

    This morning started with a giant climb. I was happy to get it done at the beginning of the day while it was cool. It was a hard day but beautiful. I still got 23 miles in while climbing nearly 6,000 feet in elevation gain. Tomorrow has some exciting way points. A natural spring of carbonated water. I will be drinking it..I even have some dried lemon powder I can add 😏. I'll be going past tuolumne falls and we will be doing Donahue pass!Read more

  • mimi singerPCT 2023Traveler
    Soda springs1Bubbles on trail!Bear!Tuolumne MeadowsTop of Donahue passSo many more passes to climb!

    Day 124

    August 31, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌬 48 °F

    Miles hiked: 23
    Campsite: 1727
    Weather: 70s and sunny
    One word to describe the day: dreamy

    Today was probably one of my prettiest days on trial yet. I walked through Yosemite and it was inspiring. So many beautiful waterfalls, peaks, meadows, rivers. Yosemite has it all! The naturally carbonated water at soda springs was so good. I added some freeze-dried lemon to it and it was like I was drinking a bubbly water. Maybe even better because it has minerals in it! The water comes from thousands of feet underground and they aren't sure exactly why it's carbonated.

    After soda springs I walk through tuolumne Meadows. It had the most perfect, calm river going through the middle of it. At one point I saw a bear grazing on the other side of the meadow. After a few miles of walking through the meadow, I started the accent to the top of Donahue pass. I quickly descended the other side to get down lower in elevation in time set up camp. It's supposed to be quite cold tonight. It looks like there's a cold front coming in starting tomorrow. With the high of 50. Lows will be in the 30s. I'm getting into reds meadow tomorrow for a single day resupply before I head to Vermillion valley resort. Hopefully summer comes back soon!    Read more

  • mimi singerPCT 2023Traveler
    3Almost stepped on this guy. He's slow because of how cold it is!Broken bridges from the wild winter1

    Day 125

    September 1, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 46 °F

    Miles hiked: 23.8
    Campsite: 1756
    Weather: 60s, windy, partly cloudy
    One word to describe the day: fall

    Last night was insanely windy but it didn't get that cold, luckily. I woke up early so I could get to red's meadow for lunch. I hiked 15 mi by 1:00. And was eating a cheeseburger and fresh fruit by 1:15! This morning's hike was beautiful and had great views but it was so windy! Red's meadow is a cute little resort with a hot spring, cabins, restaurant and small store. They also have horses there as well. I decided to head back on trail and do enough miles tonight so I can get to VVR tomorrow afternoon. I need to hike 20 mi to be able to catch the 4:45 ferry across the lake to the resort.

    There is definitely a chill in the air! The flowers are changing colors and it feels like fall. September 1st on the dot. Once I get to VVR I am on my last stretch in the Sierra so winter just needs to hold out a little longer 🙏    Read more

  • mimi singerPCT 2023Traveler
    Moody fall vibes
    I love bridgesSilver passFerry to VVRBBQ night at VVR

    Day 126

    September 2, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 54 °F

    Miles hiked: 21
    Campsite: Vermillion valley resort
    Weather: 50s, partly cloudy, off and on rain, windy!
    One word to describe the day: wet

    It rained last night and everything stayed dry in my tent. It's held up well throughout this thru hike, Im impressed! Also, I stayed toasty warm. Shout out to feathered friends, they make a great sleeping bag! I woke up early so I wouldn't feel stressed about making the ferry to VVR. Today was so pretty. I know I've said that about everyday recently but it feels like the seasons are changing and I really like moody weather. We had off and on rain storms. It was super windy but when the rain broke it was sunny and beautiful! The pictures I took don't do it justice!

    Early in the day I had a river crossing. I didn't want to get my shoes wet because of how cold it was, so I did it barefoot. It was a very calm river, so there was no danger. 🥶 After that I hiked over silver pass which was so pretty, and so windy. I made it to the ferry pick up location an hour early and the ferry happened to be there testing their new boat. I was able to hop on and get to VVR early!

    I love this place. They welcomed us with a free beverage and free camping in what they call "mushroom city", their PCT / JMT camp zone. They will get all that money back as it's not cheap to eat and resupply here. I'm taking the day off tomorrow to rest up for this next section. It's gonna be hard. I'm planning on going the entire 150 mile stretch in one go. Will take me 7 days and will be my longest stretch yet. It may or may not be the end of my journey. If the Washington section doesn't open back up, I will end it here! I will be summiting Mt Whitney on my last day, so will be ending on a high note.

    I haven't been able to make a "tramily" going south. At this point in the hike everyone is just doing their own thing and going at their own pace. I meet new people every day and am around a lot of other hikers, especially since I am also on the John Muir trail right now too. It's been fine, just different than the rest of the trail. I enjoy the alone time as well 🙂    Read more

  • mimi singerPCT 2023Traveler
    The best hiker box of the entire trail

    Day 127 - final zero ar vvr

    September 3, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 54 °F

    Miles hiked: 0
    Campsite: mushroom 🍄 city at VVR
    Weather: cold!
    One word to describe the day: relaxing!

    This morning I didn't really sleep in, my body has a natural alarm clock with the sun. I'll miss that! I was able to fully resupply out of the hiker box here! A full 8 day stretch. Pretty amazing and def saved me a lot of money! I even found some micro spikes in the hiker box which will be nice just for some piece of mind. Since it's been getting colder, the snow that is left will freeze. Many hikers are saying you can do it without spikes, but the reviews are mixed.

    I ate breakfast with some hikers, both are traveling nurses. Seems like a stressful but pretty great profession! We sat there and drank unlimited coffee that they made on a wood stove until it was time for lunch 😆.

    The rest of the day I just relaxed, got my resupply dialed, stretched, ate dinner and prepped for my final stretch to Mt Whitney! Also I just realized that I have officially hiked over 2100 miles as of now. I'm still amazed that I have done this but I feel so strong and proud. Feels good 💪    Read more

  • mimi singerPCT 2023Traveler

    Day 128

    September 4, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 52 °F

    Miles hiked: 20.3
    Campsite: 1795.2
    Weather: 60s and sunny
    One word to describe the day: slow

    It got below freezing last night but I stayed warm! I ate breakfast, packed up and left VVR at 8:00 a.m. on the shuttle. They dropped us off at the trailhead. Phew today was hard! Alot of elevation gain and loss plus 8 days of food makes for a tough day. Each day my pack will get a little lighter. And I'm pretty sure each day will get a little harder when it comes to mountains to climb. Both literally and figuratively! Today I climbed over Selden pass. And had a few river crossings but all were easy. Each day in this stretch will include at least one pass, maybe two. I gave myself 8 days to complete this stretch instead of my original plan of 7.Read more

  • mimi singerPCT 2023Traveler
    Caroline!
    Sad bridgeEvolution CreekEvolution valleyAmy and venomMuir pass

    Day 129

    September 5, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 46 °F

    Miles hiked: 23.3
    Campsite:
    Weather: 50s and sunny
    One(two) word to describe the day: desert friends!

    Today was pretty eventful! I was on trail hiking by 6:30. Around 7:30 I ran into Caroline! But we both have miles to get in so we only chatted for about 10 minutes. It was sad to move on from her but fun to see her!

    Shortly after I ran into Caroline I had my first river crossing of the day. Normally this river has a bridge but last winters snow collapsed it! I had a plan A and plan b. Plan A was to cross the south fork of the San Joaquin River depending on how the water levels looked. I heard word from other hikers who had done it and said it wasn't too bad. Plan b was a rock scramble around the river. Which would have only been a 3 mi detour. Luckily when I got to the river there were two other hikers there and one was about my height. So I was able to cross with them safely!

    I then had to cross evolution Creek. Not quite a creek, More a River! It looked doable but there was an easier crossing further up the river so I went up there and did that option.

    Finally, it was time to ascend to miur pass! I saw some more friends from the trail as I was climbing. Venom who was bit by a rattlesnake in the desert! And Amy who I met in Northern California. It was such a boost to see other hikers that I knew! Muir pass was super cool. There is an old hut that was built in the 1920s by the Sierra club. The south side heading down had a lot of snow but it was easy!    Read more

  • mimi singerPCT 2023Traveler
    Dinosaur 🦖North side of matherSouth side of mather

    Day 130

    September 6, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 48 °F

    Miles hiked: 21.3
    Campsite:
    Weather: 60s and sunny
    One word to describe the day: mather!

    This morning I naturally woke up at 5:30 so I was hiking by 6:00! Today was an exciting day because I had Mather pass to climb. I had heard from other hikers that mather is the most difficult out of all the passes I have in front of me. Also one of the most beautiful! So I was a little bit nervous but it was great! The north side was a lot of scrambling on rocks and a few patches of snow, but other than that it was great! Luckily there was a hiker a couple hundred feet ahead of me so I was able to see where the trail was. This section is so tiring. So far everyday there have been very big ups and downs. I got into camp early tonight. 5:30 pm! Lots of time for stretching and relaxing.Read more

  • mimi singerPCT 2023Traveler
    Breakfast Snickers!Hiker box wins! Mixed berry yogurtBreakfast at the top of pinchot passDaria and Nick!Nardina!!

    Day 131

    September 7, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 52 °F

    Miles hiked: 23.5
    Campsite: base of glen pass
    Weather: 50s and sunny
    One word to describe the day: insane

    I decided I wanted to set myself up with the option to sunrise hike Mt Whitney, so I decided to push myself today. I summited two passes. Pincho pass and Glenn pass. Today had over 5500 ft of elevation gain. Tomorrow will be very similar. It's been really hard days but I must say it feels really cool to push myself so hard. As I was going up Glenn pass around 5:30 p.m. a guy passed me and said "isnt it too late to be going up a pass?" I said 'I've got it, thanks for your concern." As I proceeded to practically run up glen pass to get to the other side before sunset 😅.

    I ran into some more PCT friends that were going nobo. It's so fun to see them come by me at the end of this stretch. I'm almost to Whitney!!    Read more

  • mimi singerPCT 2023Traveler
    More trail friends 😊

    Day 132

    September 8, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 48 °F

    Miles hiked: 23.5
    Campsite: crab tree meadows
    Weather: 50s and partly cloudy
    One word to describe the day: Forester!

    Today I summited the highest point on the PCT, Forester pass! Forester was the hardest pass for me out of all of them. There was a tricky snowfield at the top. And I could feel being at 13,000 feet! I saw some more PCT friends going north 💗 and over all the day was lovely. Tomorrow morning I am waking up at 2am to hit the summit of Whitney at sunrise. The weather looks like it will cooperate!Read more

  • mimi singerPCT 2023Traveler
    Guitar lake
    One more step! Thanks Tina, this thing got around!2Made it, baby!Hailing but still beautifulLong way down!

    Day 133

    September 9, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 43 °F

    Miles hiked: 15
    Campsite: Crabtree Meadows
    Weather: rainy in the am, partly cloudy during the day, followed by hail and thunder
    One word to describe the day: Whitney!

    I woke up at 2:00 a.m. to rain and thunder. I decided to stay in my tent until the storm passed, which was around 8am. So no sunrise hike but that okay! I'm going to be camped at the same place tonight so I was able to slack pack today. That means I only brought what I needed for the day. I left my tent, sleeping bag, bear can, extra food, etc at the campsite.

    I was filtering water by a stream when a couple passed me who was doing the high Sierra Trail. They instantly asked me if I needed any food, which I did! They gave me some nut butters, beef jerky and a few other snacks. I was so grateful that they offered because I didn't want to have to beg for food. I packed eight days of food from VVR and it's only going to take me 7 days to do this stretch. But I underestimated how hungry I would be during this stretch. It has definitely been the hardest section of trail yet! I ate two, two serving dinners last night I was so hungry!😂

    I got to the Whitney portal junction around 11. The morning was beautiful but the clouds were starting to build and looked a bit ominous. I was less than 2 miles from the top of Whitney. So I decided to go for it. If I heard any thunder or saw lightning I would turn around. I made it to the summit and the weather turned on me. It started to hail and thunder so after admiring the view for just a few minutes I decided to head down quickly. I didn't get to spend much time up there but I made it!! It was soooooooo pretty. Wowza. Pictures of course don't do it justice.

    I made it back to camp at 4:30. For only doing 15 miles, I am beat!    Read more

  • mimi singerPCT 2023Traveler
    1🥹
    Nothing like a 7 am river crossingThank you nature 😌Cheers!

    Day 134

    September 10, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F

    Miles hiked: 21
    Campsite: back at the dow villa hotel!
    Weather: 50s and scattered showers
    One word to describe the day: connected

    Today is bittersweet. It's my last day in the Sierra's and I'm connecting up my desert footsteps! This means I have completed California, Oregon (mostly) and just have 250 miles left in Washington until this journey is officially completed. I kind of hurried through today's hike because I was so ready to get into lone pine for a shower and meal. But I did take a moment or two to appreciate nature and everything I've done. It's been a beautiful ride! I scratched a tree to sniff it but my nose was so stuffed I couldn't smell anything 🤪

    I had a lovely dinner at a Chinese restaurant. I got the chicken curry. My server was so friendly. He gave me a fortune cookie when I checked out. I opened it up and there was no fortune in it! I asked him what that meant and he said sometimes no news is good news but that he would get me another cookie. He came back out with two cookies and manzanar pear or me 😊

    I learned after the fact that manzanar is a place North of lone pine that grows apples and pears. But it also has a sad history of being one of the 11 places the US government made into a Japanese American internment camp. The ownens valley where lone pine is located has quite the history.

    When I got back to my hotel room I opened up one of the cookies and couldn't believe what the fortune said. It said you are admired for your adventurous ways. There literally couldn't have been a better fortune inside there!    Read more

  • mimi singerPCT 2023Traveler
    1Thanks Muir 😂 (see where my finger is pointed)1

    Day 135-139

    September 12, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F

    Miles hiked: 0
    Campsite: Took a full day off in lone pine, travel day back home, and then took a few days off at home before finishing the final stretch in Washington.
    Weather: who cares if I'm inside 🤪
    One word to describe the week: rejuvenated

    My day off in lone pine was lovely. I slept in, went to the Alabama hills cafe which has the most delicious breakfast. I got the cinnamon French toast plate with bacon and hash browns. It was huge and delicious and I ate it all! I also got a cinnamon roll and peach coffee cake for the road to eat on the bus in the am. Omg the peach coffee cake was sooooo good. The rest of the day I just chilled by the pool. It was prefect pool weather. I went across the street for dinner at the Mt Whitney restaurant. They had some food specials for Monday night football. I got a giant plate of nachos. I did not successfully finish them all. Phew!

    I got the 6:10am bus the next day that took me all the way from lone pine to the Reno airport. The same bus I took a few months prior. I saw some hikers on the bus I hadn't seen in a bit! Ian and Riley picked me up from the Portland airport around 9pm. Long day of travel!

    The next few days were spent relaxing at home. I went on a wild organization spree. Saw my girlfriend Tori who is 8 months pregnant! I also got together with my friend Kim for dinner and met up with Kristina and Melissa for lunch 😌 I also took Riley on a couple walks and spent time with Ian and went out to dinner with Kristin, Ian's mom! It was a lovely couple days at home. As always coming home is so nice but it makes it hard to get back on trail. But I'm going to finish this dang thing! Saturday afternoon Ian and I drove to Snoqualmie. We car camped at the trailhead in the element! I slept in a little bit on Sunday but was on trail by 9:30. A.m.!    Read more

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