Across the Ridgeline

7:22 AM

Okay, mentally preparing for the pass. It’s pretty high.

Didn’t sleep very well. The ground was hard, so I kept turning because of pain in my hips. My feet have recovered quite a bit, so bring on that pass.

7:49 AM

Step by step I pull myself up the mountain. Luckily my fitness has improved a lot over the past few weeks. Where I used to be gasping for oxygen, I can now just keep walking uphill.

8:05 AM

8:13 AM

+2

8:40 AM

8:52 AM

The pass is done, and now I have to walk over the ridge of the mountain range to the other side. The trails are narrow and dangerous, so I have to pay very close attention. A fall would certainly be fatal.

+2

8:59 AM

9:07 AM

First ridgeline completed, now only the snowfields to go.

+5

9:16 AM

9:25 AM

9:42 AM

Uh oh, this snowfield lies in the shadow of the mountain, making it a bit icy. Once again, I’ve sent my microspikes ahead because I thought I wouldn’t need them.

I plant my pole firmly in the snow, try to make a foothold with one foot, fix the other pole, and take the step. And then a few hundred more steps to go.

+3

9:56 AM

10:02 AM

10:18 AM

+3

10:19 AM

10:46 AM

Look at how such a rotten rock is built up in layers. When it falls or rolls, you get all that gravel and flat stones.

11:28 AM

Mount Adams comes into view. That will be the next mountain.

11:47 AM

This is really funny: I suddenly run into Frozen (Jason) and Bigfoot (NL). Frozen has a YouTube channel that I’ve followed and supported since the beginning.

Outdoor Adventures

This channel is all about backpacking, camping, hiking, gear, reviews, and learning the basics. We have a great community here and also look forward to talking with others and learning. For third parties please contact frozensoutdooradventures@gmail.com for sales or promotions. I am very picky about who I work with however. Relevant quality products over earnings.

YouTube

I knew he would start the PCT NOBO (April 12), but I didn’t expect to run into them so soon. Too bad we could only talk briefly, because they still have to cross the pass, while I’m already coming down the other side.

All the best to you—two weeks from now they’ll have finished the PCT.

1:07 PM

And when you go up, you have to go down the other side again.

8:08 PM

And when you’re down, you get eaten alive again. It’s still a long way through the valley, and the mosquitoes keep getting worse. I pass a few NOBOs, but we move past each other so quickly that it’s just a brief wave. The mosquitoes are too annoying to stop.

I quickly pitch the tent and dive in with my backpack and all. Then I kill the mosquitoes I brought inside and catch my breath.

Total: 32.16 km in 11:47 hours, 1,012 m up, 1,139 m down