Days 111
Start: Cascade Canal
Finish: Devil’s Peak
Daily Mileage: 27.8
PCT Mile: 1802.4
Nearly the same thing happened last night with the two hikers rolling in late. One got there at 8 which is reasonable, but the other got there at 9. They set up right next to my tent and talked, banged pots, and tripped over my tent a number of times. I will not let it happen a third time. Better sleep, but I still need more.
We started with a non-climb, or a climb that didn’t really feel like a climb. What we did feel however were the mosquitoes. They arrived in force from the moment we took down our tents. Even while we were moving they kept on us, sucking our bare hands, faces, and shoulders. It was worst when digging a cat hole as you can imagine with all of that exposed skin. I’ve now had a mosquito bite me where one has never and hopefully will never again.
We donned our mosquito nets, me for the first time of the entire hike, and applied insect repellant for only the second time. The only thing we could do was keep moving to try to keep ahead of them.
The morning was all forest and gentle trail. Nothing too special.
When I noticed the mosquitoes let off a little, we were opportunists and took lunch 1, since I didn’t know if we would have any opportunities to eat in peace.
We grabbed water at a spring shortly thereafter, and they were the worst yet, swarming us while we were trying to filter water. It did not go well. However, shortly after we left the spring, they vanished and we were allowed to hike in peace.
The morning was beautifully overcast with mild temperatures and no sun scorching us. There were even a couple rain drops last night. It was amazing to hike in some pleasant temperatures but the sun did soon return, and its effect could be immediately felt.
We continued through forest for most of the day with gentle ascents and descents. Many blowdowns, but didn’t slow us down too much.
Later in the day we climbed up a volcanic and rocky ridge which finally afforded some views other than of trees, though the mountains and hills we could see were also covered in trees. However, as we traversed the ridge it became more rugged and volcanic and there were some great lava features along the way.
However, crossing over the shoulder of the peak and starting a north side descent, we encountered our old nemesis, snow traverses. There was maybe a half mile of snow in total which is the most we have crossed in hundreds of miles. We’re both pretty done with snow for the season, so we groan every time we see it again. Been there, done that, now let’s move on.
There were a few streams on the way down we were considering camping near, but we didn’t like the feel of them, and they were loaded with mosquitoes. We decided to press our luck and continue on to a dry camp which was pleasant in comparison. Dry and no mosquitoes. What more can you ask for?
A nice relaxing night after our shorter 28 mile day today.
The mosquitoes were quite a nuisance this morning, and the scenery wasn’t the most inspired, but everything picked up late in the afternoon from Lucifer to Devil’s Peak with fantastic volcanic terrain that made it all worth it.
1 comment
I’m with you, Yeti. I have a hard time getting enough sleep on trail and appreciate when people respect the situation of campers already at a site. On my PCT hike, I had a couple instances of getting settled in only to have to move in the middle of the night because of snoring. Even earplugs weren’t enough. =D Being a light sleeper, I should probably stick to the less-popular trails now. It’s been fun following along! Thanks for sharing your journey.