Total Mileage: 260.9

Most of the PNT is kind of predictable. Tough climbs that seem to go on forever, connected by long, exposed road walks that seem to go on forever. There are, however, a couple bushwhacks on this trail that make for some very interesting hiking.

One in particular is the Lions Head bushwhack. It is an 8 mile exposed ridgeline section of bouldering with smooth slanted rock linking the ridge together. It took a full 8 hours to do this 8 mile section. Although difficult and time consuming, this blue line (on the map) was way more fun than the red line (which I did last year).

After about a dozen more big ups and a lot more road walking, Sloppy and I made it to Eureka, Montana at 3:30 pm on Saturday. We had an 18 mile road walk in the middle of the day in 90 degree heat. Sloppy became very sick on the hike in and my stomach wasn’t feeling too great. It may have been from all the bleach we’ve been using to treat our water. Or maybe it was the jar of peanut butter I was given waaaay past it’s expiration date. As in over 6 years!

Sloppy’s parents came to visit and the next morning I took off towards Polebridge, Montana. I was hoping after breakfast with his parents, he would catch me. I received a text an hour later from him. He decided to take a zero day and rest. Can’t blame him after being that sick.

I pushed on and made it to Polebridge Monday evening. My resupply box didn’t arrive, so it looks like I’ll be doing another 300 miles on these shoes. They should have 800 on them by the time I get a new pair. I hope to see Sloppy again, he became a very good friend these last 1,500 miles and we went through a lot of crazy shit together.

Good luck Amigo, I’ll see you up the trail!✌️🥾🥾🥾

Total Miles: 282.2

Sending it hard on the PNT. Crazy up-hills and massive road walks.

I’m still hiking with Sloppy and we made a plan to do this section of the GWL in around 17 days, which is 3 days faster then last year. Currently we are carrying a 42.5 mile average for this section.

As hot and exposed as the road walks are, we are able to crush miles through those parts. Sometimes it’s tough though, having full days of 40 plus miles on a dirt road. I just put in the ear buds and try and limit my breaks.

Water is difficult to get to sometimes and the sources aren’t the best. I’ve been treating with bleach for the last 2 weeks. Initially, pool water was all I thought about but after so many liters of it as this point I don’t even notice.

The trail towns on the PNT have some of the nicest people. Trail Angels Josh and Jami in Northport are incredible, and it was really great to see them again. We also had breakfast paid for us by this great couple in Metaline Falls.

I feel pretty good, all things considered. I’m right on my pace and hope to be at the halfway mark around 100 days.

So much hiking left but seeing familiar faces from last year helps me up the trail.✌️🥾🥾

Total Miles: 243.3

Made it to the Pacific Northwest Trail!

The PCT threw everything it had at me, but now I’m heading East to Glacier NP.

The snow pack went all the way to where I turned onto the PNT. In the end, it was roughly 1700 miles of snow pack hiking. Now It’s oppressive heat, road walking, mosquito’s, and insane amounts of burn area and blow-down’s. Oregon and Washington were, without a doubt, the hardest stretch of hiking I’ve ever done.

My new phone got soaked and died on me, so this is my third phone. Lost the pictures, but I’ve finally gotten the tracking up and running, so my map dots should be updating on the regular. Looking like the halfway point of the GWL in 100 days. Back to big miles which feels great. Back to back 40’s and finished the the week with a 50 mile day.

Total Miles: 183

Big snow right out of the gate from White Pass to Chinook Pass in the Mt. Ranier Wilderness. Sketchy snowpack  side-hilling and the final mile seemed to drag on forever.

The wonderful Katie “Captain Planet” Rapp met us there with massive Donuts and Taco Bell and mapped out an alternate route around the next section to keep us at a lower elevation.

After the big fall last week, we have tried to stay out of snow and now we have the melt to deal with. River crossings are becoming an issue. Bridges washed out and Glacier peak still too dangerous to navigate.

Our alternate routes haven’t been easy, however. A lot of overgrowth and blow-down sections have made some slow going, but finally, one more week to the PCT northern terminus!

Total Miles: 243.7

Pushing big miles north has been tough, but we’re getting there. Mt. Hood is covered in snow and they will be skiing through summer up there for first time in 30 years!

Absolutely destroyed the all you can eat breakfast buffet at the Timeberline Lodge and then hiked out across the ski slopes and down the Timberline Trail through some sketchy ravines to Ramona Falls.

Hit a lot of tough snow outside of Cascade Locks and blow down trees. With one bent trekking pole and no micro spikes it was hard going. 19.1 miles in Cascade Locks and took the rest of the day off.

FINALLY bought a new phone, set it up and set off the next morning. Just shy of 38 miles for the day, it was the first day of hiking with no snow in over 500 miles.

The last northbound PCT hikers I saw were 700 miles back and southbound PCT hikers are stuck up north due to the snow, so we have been blazing the trail and not seeing anyone.

Made it through the Goat Rocks Wilderness and the Knifes edge yesterday. Lucky enough to see a herd of elk. Had a couple falls and some extremely dangerous snow slope crossings. Basically no fall zones. After glissading down the snow bowl off the top of the mountain, I ripped my shorts. We took a low route across several streams, more blowdowns and raging snow melt rivers to arrive a highway 12 and White Pass.

Staying with friends and resting up. Back to the grind tomorrow! ✌👣👣

Total Miles: 217

The snow has continued all through Oregon.

Any trail at or above 5,000 feet is covered in snow. We’ve taken some low alternate routes to avoid some tough areas and took a half day (nero) to avoid snow and rain high up near the 3 Sisters Mountain area.

It’s been weird relying on someone else for navigation but it’s been a nice change hiking with another human through all this tough stuff. My pace hasn’t slowed too much because of the snow, still pulling mid 30s into the 40s. But the temperatures haven’t gotten warm yet and the weather system of rain, wind, and snow has seemed to linger. Once summer does arrive the snow will start to melt which will help but the river crossings will be very sketchy.

Body feels good and the forecast looks promising. In a couple days Washington which will pit me over 2,000 miles on 65 days.✌👣👣