![\"Burning](\"https:\/\/alpine.science\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_3416-1-725x544.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/p>\nAs I approached Chester, CA after passing the half way point of the Pacific Crest Trail (1330 ish miles), I was excited for some down time and a trip to Burning Man. I was also nervous about the fact that I was so far behind where I should be mileage wise. Injuries, too many zeroes and taking my time when in town meant that I was late in the season and would be fighting snow and possibly getting snowed out as I travelled North going into October, November and beyond. I was far behind the bubble of other hikers and the odds of completing in 2016 were extremely low.<\/p>\n
After Burning Man I wasn’t sure if I wanted to get back on trail or not. Should I stay in San Diego? Grab my truck and a few things and go to Colorado, Washington or maybe even Oregon? I was severely depressed and lost, but since I had no intention of leaving the trail when I departed for Burning Man, I had to adult and decided that I had no choice but to get back on trail.<\/p>\n
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After a three week break, my injured foot felt great, but going North would inevitably result in my season\u00a0being cut short due to snow. This meant that I needed to “flip”, which meant I would fly to the Northern Terminus and hike Southbound \/ SOBO back to my original exit point at the half way mark of the PCT in Chester, CA. This would enable me to complete Washington sooner, rather than later, reducing my chance of getting snowed out.<\/p>\n
The day of my flight out of San Diego I rushed to get 3 food resupply boxes and last minute errands run but still missed my flight. I purchased another ticket at the airport and after spending a night in SeaTac Airport in Washington and a long ride on a GreyhoundI, I\u00a0found myself at the Manning Park, BC at 4:00 AM.<\/p>\n
My first day back on trail reminded me of what a grind hiking can be. Hour after hour of climbing, mud and hunger \u2026. once in the groove it is fun, but my first day back sucked. That night at camp I made my mind up the I was going to quit, something that had never happened before even in my lowest moment on the trail. As I lay under my quilt in my bivy sack exhausted and depressed, I dreamed of all the awesome stuff I was going to do once back in civilization and off the trail…. trips, food, Mexico and more! Then something happened \u2026. I got my first good nights rest in weeks. When I awoke the next morning, it was clear that I only was it necessary for me to keep on trucking, I actually wanted to!<\/p>\n
![\"img_4295\"](\"https:\/\/alpine.science\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_4295-725x544.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
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The coming days were sunny and beautiful until I approached Rainy Pass. The\u00a0final 10 or so miles approaching Rainy Pass are high and exposed, so much so that the relentless rain and wind proved that my minimalist rain gear was not up for the task. I spent the night at Rainy Pass in a soaking wet quilt that had gone into my bivy sack bone dry, but had wetted out completely in under two hours due to condensation. Since\u00a0minimalist summer gear wasn\u2019t cut out for the climate of the Pacific Northwest, I hitch hiked to Winthrop where I purchased a new tent, rain jacket\u00a0and gloves. Rainy Pass was a perfect spot to pull the rip cord, had I been a few days away from an exit point with wet gear and not sun to dry things out, it would have been gnarly. I have very little rain experience and no PNW experience, so this was a great learning experience!<\/p>\n
My day trip to Winthrop turned into a week stay when I fell sick, but what a great little town to fall ill in. A brewery, hostel, gear stores, cell reception and sunshine, yes please! Yet another longer than anticipated break pushed even later into the season. I got back on trail at Rainy Pass and pushed onto Stehekin, which was amazing, if you get a chance to go there, do it and absolutely visit the bakery!<\/p>\n
![\"img_4515\"](\"https:\/\/alpine.science\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_4515-1-e1519238143173-725x962.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
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![\"img_4270\"](\"https:\/\/alpine.science\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_4270-1-725x544.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
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The next week to Steven\u2019s Pass was filled with beautiful views, brutal climbs and lush forest vegetation. When it wasn\u2019t raining, it was absolutely gorgeous, in the high 60s at times, but then it became snow above 5k and rain below 5k and very cold. I approached Steven\u2019s Pass rationing the very little food I had left and was all too aware that after six months on trail, the thought of pushing another 1100 plus miles in winter, didn\u2019t sound fun. If I was fresh, it might sound like an epic challenge I would be eager to take on, but six months in, pushing on sounded horrific.<\/p>\n