Well, it's almost over. Only 4 more hiking days and this PCT journey will be behind me. It's nearly time because it is getting COLD. Last night was around the mid to low 20's through the night, but I am still a happy guy these days because lately my hiker family has been so great. Mainly because I have been hiking with 2 lovey ladies for nearly 600 miles now, Damsel (dana) and her awesome dog Lucy. We met at Big Lake in Oregon and have walked every mile together since. It is going to be hard to leave them when the hike is done and we return to our 'off-trail' lives a thousand miles apart. That is making this last week much more difficult. Not to mention all the other cool friends I have made in Oregon and Washington like Trip-le Hands, Hollywood, Extra Credit and her bf Cactus, Shakespeare, Navi, Bloodbank, the Up-Chucks, knees, Natty, Sunshine and T-Rex, Hotwing, G, xana and panorama, pebbles and Magellan, so many awesome and amazing folks along the way. So proud and happy to be part of this hiker community.
And speaking of falling for things, I fell SO HARD on the trail 2 days ago. Going downhill, I lost my footing, and slammed hard to the ground ~ face first. To this day, my worst hiking injury. I sprained my right thumb really bad falling on it, it is about 2x normal size and tender to the touch, not to mention the swollen/blackened right eye and cuts I was left with as well. I think I have fallen close to 10 times while hiking this year, but this was by far the worst. I must have been laying there in the trail for what seemed like 10 minutes picking dirt and pine needles from my eye socket and spitting dirt from my mouth before even realizing my right hand felt pretty much useless. I had to then scramble to catch up with Damsel to get some ibuproferen from her. What a day. I proceeded to fall once more that day (in the mud)!plus tore all newly sewn areas on my clothes and well, let's just say it was a 'tough' day. D and L always seem to make everything better and all the little things seem insignificant and minute, I was able to laugh it off and enjoy the rest of my evening thanks to them.
I can't believe it is only 80 miles left! Insane! It's been so long since I started this in April. I am ready for THIS adventure to be over, but totally ready for the next one to begin. I wonder where or what it will be....
Ugh.
K
