One Border, Another Beginning

6:23 AM

I was awake again at five. Slowly, a rhythm is forming. At six I gather everything and head out. Not to brag, but the views are stunning.

Gaining elevation takes real effort, and at the first Rock Pass I already lie down in the grass to recharge.

I meet a few hikers coming the other way — they reached the border yesterday and are now heading south. Everyone is friendly, everyone asks how you’re doing. Not that it really helps if things aren’t going well, but it’s the gesture that counts.

7:46 AM

Nothing much to add — just moving steadily onward.

7:57 AM

The second pass is Woody Pass, immediately offering views into Canada. There’s even still a bit of snow up here. Water is scarce at this elevation.

8:27 AM

Still climbing, still quiet. Just trail and breath.

9:22 AM

Highest point reached. From here on it’s downhill all the way to the Canadian border.

9:37 AM

More beautiful views. Should I go swimming in the lake? Maybe — but first I want to reach the border.

10:04 AM

The trail flows. Legs move on autopilot.

12:13 PM

Things move fast and I arrive at Castle Pass. This is the pass I would have reached if I’d managed to get over all those fallen trees on the approach routes via Ross Lake.

This is the last campsite before the border. From here it’s just pushing on — the border is only 5 km away. The trail is overgrown, but we keep going. Five kilometers is manageable; twenty through dense forest was not.

12:15 PM

Short pause. Nothing more than that.

13:31 PM

I’m here. I’ve reached the Canadian border. There’s no one else around, so I celebrate with myself.

From now on, every step is a step closer to Mexico. How far I’ll make it, I don’t know — but as long as I’m moving forward, everything is fine.

13:32 PM

A moment to let it sink in.

13:45 PM

On to Mexico! 👏

15:20 PM

I meet two more hikers heading toward the border. One of them, Lizz, again asks if I’m going swimming. I’m not sure — it’s another 10 km, and I’m already reaching the end of my reserves. I’ll decide at the next campsite.

“You’re not going to camp there!” is the response.

15:45 PM

I return to the campsite that also leads down to Ross Lake, but I’m completely exhausted. I put on all my long clothes so I can lie down in the grass without being eaten alive by flies, ants, bees, and mosquitoes.

Then I see Lizz walking past again. Am I going to the lake too? Sigh — should I really let myself be guided by what others say? I pace back and forth, being attacked by mosquitoes.

Alright. I decide to continue, step by step, to the next campsite. It’s still 5 km further.

18:00 PM

If only I had listened to my body. With great effort I filter another 3 liters of water. I think I’ve drunk around 9 liters by now. Every step feels like too much. The only thing I can do is keep breathing.

Well — I made it, and that’s all that matters. I pitch the tent quickly to be safe from the mosquitoes. Inflating my sleeping pad isn’t happening anymore; I need to sleep.

Total:
33.64 km in 9:09 hours
1,016 m up, 546 m down

I wake up at 20:00. All my food is still inside the tent — not a great idea in bear country. Staggering, I hang the Ursack about 50 meters away. I inflate my sleeping pad and crawl, dusty and exhausted, into the liner.

There’s a bit of thunder, but it’s bone dry. Tomorrow is a new day, with a high Woody Pass ahead.