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PTC Day 10

Date: July 31 Location: north base of Mt Thielsen Days hiked: 10 Days left on first segment: 5 Miles hiked: 160 Avg. Per day. 16.0 Percent of journey completed: 35.3

I knew we would hit snow on the Pacific Crest Trail. I had no idea we’d be going through 10-foot drifts, one notched boot print at a time. After a snowy but hot segment north from Crater Lake, it was decision time. Nieces Carrie and Molly Petersen had joined their dad, Glenn, and I for four days but this wasn’t exactly the “fun part.” Glenn decided that the three of them would head for lower elevations, hiking to Diamond Lake. Meanwhile, I teamed up with new trail friends Roadrunner and her husband Cisco to continue on the PTC, which, with elevation gains go 7,600 feet, was only going to get more difficult.

It made good on that promise. We did 16 miles, the last 7 in snow wrapping around mountain after mountain, including the grand finale, Mt. Thielsen.

You might have a quarter-mile of dirt trail, then 17 drifts. They look like giant white whales. Up you go, trying to avoid slipping into a tree well. Then down. Repeat. Repeat.

Besides the physical challenge, you’re constantly losing the trail because the snow wipes out all. The only reason I’m safe inside of a tent in the 7,000-foot shadow of Thielsen is the guidance of Roadrunner and Cisco. Not only did they allow me to join their trip north from California to Canada, but they are bloodhounds in boots. Honestly, I’d have to have turned back without their help.

This is one tough year for PTC travel. We didn’t see a soul on the trail today. Fewer than a dozen hikers, most having left Mexico in April, are leaving footprints in front of us.

But after one more day of snow travel, we’ll descend to 5,000 feet at Summit Lake and be out of the snow for good. I will reunite with Glenn at Summit and Roadrunner and Cisco will continue their pursuit of the Canadian border, with my deepest thanks for helping guide a guy who needed guidance.

They talk about “trail magic” on the PTC. I found it in this wonderful California couple


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Comentarios


Cathy Schaeffer's sixth-grade class at St. Mary Catholic School

Taylorville, Ill.

 Henley Bliler  

 I would like to fly over the beginning of World War II because I would like to see exactly what happened. 

 

Ruby Broux 

I would like to fly over the Acropolis of Athens. I would fly over there because it is very cool how it is still standing up since the 5th century B.C.E 

Landyn Durbin 

I would like to fly over Egypt whenever the pyramids were being built. I would like to fly over this because it is a mystery of how they were built. 

Bentley Friesland 

American Revolution, to learn why Great Britain wanted war with the U.S. 

 

Renee' Gunning 

I would like to fly over Apollo 11 because I think it would be cool to see the moon landing. 

Drew Kietzman  

I would fly over D-day because it is such an important part of World War II and it is a really cool event. I think it is a cool event because there were so many planes, boats, soldiers and tanks. 

Macie McDowell  

One historical event I would fly over is World War II because I think it would be interesting to see all of the people who fought in the hard time. 

 

Kate Shivers 

I would fly over WW1 because it would be interesting to see what kind of equipment they used and how the countries lined up. 

Liam Stromberg 

Rome to see and picture it all in the past and what it looked like in the past.

Roman Watson  

I would like to fly over when they built the statue of liberty because i want to see the people who built it. 

Matthew Wayman 

I would like to fly over when the Vikings went into battle because the vikings were very strong and powerful humans. 

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