John Manning of TGO Magazine is off in the States walking
the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail, quite a few of you were wondering
how he's getting on with the bears, the through hikers and the cacti,
so here's the here are the third and fourth of his updates from the
trail plus three pics of him looking distinctly trail hardened and
unshaven :-) Donations of shaving equipment via OM....
For more information about the PCT, see the Pacific
Crest Trail Association web site. Unfortunately John hasn't been
able to send us many pics, but if you want an idea of the sort of
awesome scenery he's hiking right now, check out this picture
gallery :-)
Greetings all from the PCT once again. Again, internet access time is
very limited so here goes!
Into the Sierra Nevada
Have
now hit the Sierra Nevada proper and after a rest/re-supply day at
Kennedy Meadows entered the most stunning mountain range I've yet
come across. The contrasts between the desert sections and the
Sierras is completely overwhelming. Snow covered peaks abound, but
fortunately not enough snow to delay things - only the beers do
that!
Three or four days back we hit the John Muir Trail, which we're
walking backwards (ie North) and this really is the highlight of the
trail so far. A day's side trip took a few of us up Mt Whitney,
highest peak in the 48 lower states. Altitude caused the odd dizzy
spell (on descent) but it really was a moving experience - the views
from the summit were incredible - mountains everywhere we could see,
and the most breathtaking ones at that.
The following day came Forester Pass, highest stage of the PCT and
the most intimidating; we had to cross several large snowfields to
reach the switch-back approach to the pass, and the trail was
indefinable from a distance, and the pass itself seemed impossibly
steep and unreachable. But the trail here is a wonderful piece of
engineering and despite a labourious pull-up it wasn't as impossible
as it appeared. One last steep snow bank meant I used the ice axe -
for less than two minutes. It'll probably be shipped home in the
morning!
I'm now resupplying in Bishop, then hitching 50 miles back south
to Onion Valley to rejoin the trail for a party by Rae Lakes with
other PCTers.
Mind That Snake...
Recent
highlights (from the last few weeks) include coming across a deadly
Mojave Green Rattlesnake right by the trail - companion Chance just
missed stepping oin it - and a light snow flurry about six days ago,
the only precipitation we've had all trip. Must be the fairest
weather seen on the PCT for years. Have also encountered some real
trail magic - including an impromptu "resort" at Bird Springs pass
where a trail angel set up a feeding station in the desert, with
sodas, sarnies, crisps and much more...
My very good friend Robin also provided wonderful trail magic by
sending Kitkats and Kendal Mint Cake to Kennedy Meadows, among other
treats! Looking forward to seeing you Robin, and new husband Paul - a
million congrats - somewhere around Highway 50 in two or three weeks
- and to rejoining Ian, hopefully we'll all get some miles hiked
together!
The fun never ends!
And the latest instalment as John is KOed
with a bad back :-(
Greetings all,
Here courtesy of Pathfinder are three pics of yours truly sur
le trail. Am currently holed up at Pooh Corner, Truckee, with a
bad back. Lots of painkillers. Internet access is on a tiny lap top
so I'm not going to bust a gut with an update (sorrreeeee) but will
attempt something very soon!
Hope
you can open the pictures (they're quite small) and hope you enjoy
them.
Just to say that things other than the back are going fine - the
back 'went' yesterday morning as I was breaking camp and I managed to
hike 26 miles on it to reach Pooh Corner, another Trail Angel haven
run by Bill and Molly Person.;
Last week I took some down days with good friend Robin and her new
husband Paul; went kayaking, hiking with their good friend (now my
good friend also!) Sheri, went out for various meals, visited Ian's
brewery, celebrated July 4th in Colfax and generally had the best few
days of the whole trail so far. Came just at the right moment as I
was starting to feel run down physically and emotionally - there are
only so many trees, lakes and mountains a chap can take in in such a
short time! Can't thank Paul and Robin enough!
Since then the trail has proved superb one again - and now the
back lets me down. Ho hum...
PS: still ain't seen no bears!!!!
John Manning
