Doing a PCT through hike in 2015.
Dormant Last read · last published · next check
Read 5 days ago and current, but nothing has been published for 20 months.
One of my "resolutions" in 2024 was to read. I typically don't like to carry around a book, and I usually don't find time during the day to read. However, I finally discovered Audio Books. Just before bed, I take from twenty to forty minutes to listen. Here are the books I finished this year. 1) Educated - Tara Westover. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Educated_(memoir) 2) Becoming - Michelle Obama.…
Our work crew put in rock steps on the trail to Colchuck Lake My fifth Volunteer Vacation with the Washington Trail Association involved working on the trail to Colchuck Lake. The Colchuck Lake trail is accessed via Forest Service road 7601, about nine miles west of the town of Leavenworth, Washington. It involved a three-hour drive from my house near Black Diamond, Washington. I used Google Maps…
Ranger points to the location of our camp at Coldwater Lake near Mt. St. Helens In September of 1968, my brother and I camped at Spirit Lake and then scrambled-climbed to the top of Mt Saint Helens. This was before the eruption in 1980. Mt. St. Helens from Spirit Lake in 1968 Today I headed out to the mountain again, but this time it was to improve the trails near Coldwater Lake. I volunteered for…
Pete Lake The Alpine Lakes Wilderness lies in the Central Cascades Region in Washington State. It has some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in the state. I recently was lucky enough to participate in a week-long "volunteer vacation" with the Washington Trails Association (WTA), working to improve the trails near Pete Lake. Saturday, July 2 I am always worried about getting to a new trailhead…
Mount Rainier from the lower crossing trail of the Carbon River Mount Rainier has some of the most beautiful scenery, and I found a great way to enjoy it. On June 28, my hiking buddy, Deb, and I drove to the Carbon River entrance to Mount Rainier National Park. We stopped at the Ranger Station that is just two miles from the entrance and got a free wilderness camping permit, since we would be…
The Carbon River - on my way to Ipsut Creek campground The Washington Trail Association sponsors "volunteer vacations" on which people like me can volunteer time and effort to improve the hiking trails in Washington State. I decided to join a trail work crew that was going to improve the Wonderland Trail in Mt. Rainier National Park. The volunteer vacation is a week-long adventure, camping in a…
Moon over Lake Chelan from our campsite I think about my hike on the Pacific Crest Trail every day. I often long to be back on the trail. I loved the bright stars in the night sky, and the sounds of birds singing at first-light in the morning. A few months ago, I discovered the Washington Trails Association . They work to be a voice for hikers, a resource for those looking to get outside, and they…
Thursday, November 26 I went for a walk in the woods this morning. The sun was bright. The air was crisp.I wore my layers of hiking clothes - flannel, wool and nylon. As I approached Lake Sawyer, I noticed a rock that had been written on. It said, "Sex Rock". It brought a smile to my face. I imagine there is a good story behind that one! There must be a good story here Soon, I wandered the trails…
For me, choosing the right clothing was difficult. There are so many options. What works for one person might not satisfy another. Here is the clothing I took and what I thought about it. Beanie I took a SmartWool beanie. It is fairly light weight, and is wonderful to wear while sleeping when it is cold. It can also be worn during the day when there is a cold wind and you need some extra warmth. I…
A phone could be considered a "luxury" item. It is not necessary for a successful through hike. However, almost everyone carries gear that adds to a more satisfying hiking experience. I am no exception. I carried a smartphone and a battery backup for the entire trip. Apple iPhone 5c with charging cord and wall charger I used my iPhone every day to take pictures, keep track of the time, to write my…
Hi faithful readers, this is Valorie, Bob's wife and blog editor. We're hosting a BBQ at our house Sunday, Aug. 30. Please come and help us celebrate Bob's accomplishment. Please email me if you need our home address or directions. See you Sunday! Valorie, valorie dot zimmerman at gmail dot com PS: Let's send the predicted rain over the mountains, where they sorely need it. -v
Like many hikers, I chose my gear after doing considerable research and testing. I don't think there is the "perfect" gear choice. There are always trade offs. Do you go for less weight, but perhaps have less durability? Is the product backed by a company with great customer service? The "big 3" are the three pieces of gear that are often the heaviest and often the most expensive pieces of gear…
Friday August 21 As I lay in my tent last night at the campground just beyond the northern monument, I found it hard to sleep. Like the ending of a good book, I didn't want it to be over. And yet, this adventure has come to an end. I could have slept in, but it was getting light and I had eight miles to go to get to the lodge at Manning Park. The trail climbed 1,000 feet. Unfortunately, the trail…
Thursday August 20 I am laying in my tent listening to the wind in the trees. Sometimes it sounds like a river; a soothing sound. Sometimes the gusts are stronger and a few trees creak and groan. There are birds living here too. I believe they are Camp Robbers. They make a funny chirping sound. One landed close by, as if to announce that it needed something to rob. A chipmunk lives here too. I…
I have been thinking about this for a long time, almost from the first day of my hiking adventure. I wanted to dedicate this hike to a very special person. A person who I loved. A person who died young. I chose the trail name Bobaroo long before I took a step on the Pacific Crest Trail. The name Bobaroo was given to me by my niece, Angel Betts. I can still hear the ring in her voice when she would…
Thursday August 20 A flood of emotions overwhelmed me as I caught sight of the monument at the U.S. and Canadian border. I had walked from Mexico to Canada! Tears filled my eyes. It is hard to explain all of my emotions. Mostly I am thankful. I am so thankful for all of the people who made this possible. My wife was my resupply person and she never missed sending a box or giving me encouragement.…
Wednesday August 19 As I crested the ridge, all I could see was a towering plume of smoke. Not just one, but three separate fires were burning somewhere to the north. My mind wrestled with the thought of a trail closure. Not now; not on my hike! Not when I am this close to the end! The morning began with birds chirping in the woods. I hadn't heard them for quite some time. It made me smile. I was…
Tuesday August 18 My day of rest is over. It's time to finish the final leg of this adventure. I am so fortunate to have a wife who is willing to drive me to the trail. It is almost a four-hour drive to Rainy Pass on the Cascade Loop highway. On the way, we had a great breakfast at the Pancake House. I loaded up with carbs having a full serving of French toast and hash browns. It seems that I have…
Monday August 17 After sleeping in a tent for over 120 days, it seems odd to sleep in a bed! I am taking a zero day today. No hiking; only rest! Of course I woke up at 5 even though I could have slept later. It is difficult to take a zero day at home. Everything is so familiar. I took a shower even though I wasn't dirty. How odd is that? I even took time to pay bills and fiddle around with my home…
Sunday August 16 I thought I was done with the rain, but after I got into my tent last night at Mig Lake, it started drizzling and then raining. The clouds were thick and by morning the inside of my tent was damp. I bundled up my wet tent and damp sleeping bag with the intent of drying them later on. I was on the trail by 5:45 and had eight miles to hike to get to Stevens Pass. There were two…
Saturday August 15 The rain last night quit around midnight. Then the wind picked up and it was gusty for several hours. I could hear the gusts coming as the trees swished about. All I could think about were several of the nearby dead snags. Would this be the time they came down? Fortunately, nothing came down, and the wind dried most of the rain from my tent. I was back on the trail at 5:45. I…
Friday August 14 The rain and thunderstorms that I expected last night didn't happen. It was partly cloudy when I crawled out of the tent at 5:25. I was a happy camper! I knew today was going to be physically challenging because the trail climbed back up to the top of the next ridge, slightly less than 3,000 feet of elevation gain. The good part about it was that the trail was in much better…
Thursday August 13 As I mentioned in my blog yesterday, I am jumping ahead to Snoqualmie Pass. I have done the section from White Pass to Snoqualmie Pass, and I need to take advantage of the days left in August to finish the sections of the trail that I haven't hiked. My wife drove me to the trailhead and I was hiking by 6:30. I knew the hiking would be difficult today because the trail climbs…
Wednesday August 12 I slept really well at Hidden Springs, except I heard thunder towards Mount Rainier. As it turns out, there was rain, but none where I was camped. I arose shortly after 5 and was on the trail before 6. I had just under 8 miles to hike to the trail head. My wife planned to meet me at 9. I was hiking a trail that I had hiked last year. Halfway through my hike, I was looking to…
Tuesday August 11 After last nights thunderstorm, I expected the tent to be wet. It wasn't. I guess there was enough of a breeze to dry it out. I was on the trail at 5:50. Although my tent had dried during the night, the plants along the trail were ready and waiting with their load of water! For the first four miles I waded through bushes. I was soaked from my knees down. Even my shoes sloshed…
