Cascade Dreaming

Washington, ok I get it now..

  5 months ago all I could really focus on was trying to keep up with some folks who'd already hiked most of the trail previously. 

Mt. Rainier, hey beautiful

  As I enter this state I begin to wonder, how bad are the bugs? Will we get constant rain and snow?  Is my gear going to last?

  My friend Siri and I continued north through southern Washington and north toward Canada. The first 5 days of hiking we're a little tough due to the terrain reminding us of southern Oregon. It wasn't until we reached Goat Rocks Wilderness that I realized what people going South had been preaching...Washington is probably the most beautiful part of the trail.

Before descent into a drainage and Ascent up 40+ switchbacks

  Now let me stop real quick and agree and also disagree. I still think the Sierras are hard to beat, especially since we went through them in a regular snow year. But back to Goat Rocks Wilderness Area... legit. Beautiful, and yes we actually saw mountains and mountain goats.

  From Whites Pass on, minus a really buggy section, we were hit with spectacular views after spectacular views. Even though each pass was another ski resort and there were ways to hitch into Seattle we had to refrain and push on. We'd come too far to take another break.

Winter Stocking

  In this stretch we had a little Washington Trail Family consisting of Blue (France), Cheapest Option (University of Colorado), Hoops (Wisconsin), Shiggy (Czech Republic) and a few others who we criss crossed with (Mighty, Captain and Legs, Skinny Thor, the Brit Family Robinson, Pigsty and Rosie). We'd hike throughout Washington running into each other and camping next to or with each other each night. It really made me realize how special this trail is and how special the people are that you choose to hike with.

  I kept having good to tell myself and Siri to keep focused on the present and to not think too far ahead even though we inched closer and closer to Canada each day. This was extremely difficult, especially the last few days. Blue, Siri and I hiked the last 12 days together and it was nice getting another persons perspective on the trail who was not from the United States. 

Final Morning of the Hike Sunrise

  The landscapes in Washington are unreal, quite a pretty state. The lookouts over the volcanoes (Adams, Rainier, St. Helens) were stunning. Once we passed Snoqualmie Pass it was a game changer. It was one stunning view after another followed by the guessing game of "do you think that's Canada in the distance?"

  I did get sick the 3rd to last day and it made me wonder and debate if I could finish. I pushed through, probably against the wishes of a lot of people I ran into but did get better as it was only a 24 hour bug. This episode again reminded me of how lucky I was to have only had 2 sick days on trail and to be healthy enough to hike from Mexico to Canada without any serious issues. It brought back all the thoughts of, I'm just walking, there's nothing else I can glean from this right now as I'm just putting one foot in front of the other. It is hard to put into words but I think what I will take from this journey will come after it is completed.

Who didn't finish X-Cutting this?

  The last day was kind of a mix of emotions. We woke up to a chilly morning and it continued all the way to the border. I actually hiked with my rain coat on for much of the morning, yeah that cold. As we approached the border Siri, Blue and myself agreed we all wanted to hike to the Northern Terminus/Monument alone. I was planning this list of songs to sing as I got to the monument and I was singing out loud trying to find the right mix and order. Unfortunately or fortunately I did not realize how close to the border I was. 

  Then...bam, I look up and see the monument after descending some switchbacks through the trees. "Could this be it?" I thought there was no way, it happened so fast. But as I stared at the monument I heard a "Congratulations," and looked to my right and saw another hiker sitting there. He was going southbound but said I was the first that morning to finish northbound. I didn't know how to feel. At first I was shocked and elated but then a feeling of contentment hit me. I was ok not singing anymore, which was weird because I was about to let loose. Alas as I waited for Blue and Siri to finish (I got them on video btw, never did get my finish on video, next time?), it was one of those moments where it is hard to say "it's over!" 

Before Stehekin, yeah I could live here

  I thought there would be more joy, more celebration but we all took it in pretty quietly compared to what I expected. This may have been partially due to the fact that we still had 9 miles to go into Manning Park, Canada. As I sit here a month after the finish I still can't believe we're done. It still hasn't settled in, deeper meanings are still out there or in my head somewhere. There will be another blog post with Post PCT thoughts and conclusions but for now I just have to say again that I'm humbled and grateful for the trail and for all the support I received in helping to fundraise for NCBI (Now EmpowerMT) and YWCA of Missoula. 

  Thank you for reading and I look forward to finishing my PCT blog posts next week as I will be in a familiar place for a few days. To all those still hiking, good luck and stay safe out there. To all those I met along the way, Thank You and see you down trail,

Your friend,

Tyler "The Prodigy"

PCT Class of 2016, The Prodigy

  Washington you did a really good job at trying to steal my judgement and doing your best work to try and convince me to move to Washington ;).