Days 145&146 Miles 1934.7-1985.2

Day 145

Start: 1934.7 End: 1960.3 Total: 25.6

Mantis and I had a later start to the day, getting going around 7:30. We had an awesome start to the day but we’re taking it slow because my shin was hurting and I was starting to get worried about it. We duct taped my shoe pretty good so that it provided a bit more support. It seemed to be helping but I still proceeded with caution.

We leap frogged a good bit with Rainbow and Caramel as there was fields of huckleberries lining the trail. We would take turns stopping and ratting handfuls at a time. There was also another smaller red berry called Whorl Berries that we had just learned were also edible.

We listened to our book a bit and took a pre lunch swim in a beautiful clear blue lake with no one else around. After that we did 5 more miles to a lunch spot where we filtered some more water before a long dry stretch.

We had a longer lunch because Mantis’a filter is going really slow then we did another 12 miles for the day. I worked on doing some logistics for we would be in Bend the next day. My brother, Ryan, lives there but he and his wife, Bri, would be out of town for a wedding so we wouldn’t be able to stay with them as was the plan in March. Thanks to our very unfortunate timing of arriving the one week they were gone. We were going to try to get in and out of Bend to continue hiking another hundred miles before going back to their house to take a longer break once they returned.

We ended the day with a 1000 mile climb and were rewarded with amazing views of the Sisters and Mt. Bachelor. The Sisters are a set of three mountains near each other! It was so beautiful. We camped next to a lake that was infested with mosquitos. We got there and I got my tent set up asap and retreated inside for dinner. My bug net is still broken but I am able to prop things up against it to keep it mostly closed.

Day 146

Start: 1960.3 End: 1985.2 Total: 24.9

Mantis and I awoke early and were out on trail by 6:10. It was a beautiful, frosty alpine like morning, walking through this open meadow next to the South Sister. It was a hard start to the day for me. I just wanted to be in town and relax but we had another 25 miles to do before that. My shin was starting to hurt and other problems in my legs surely stemming from my shoes.

We continued walking through the meadow then into a forested section, dropping below into another meadow before climbing up through this burn section. We passed people still in their sleeping bags and I was envious. Despite my troubles I decided that I would have a good day and make the most out of it.

The trees came back shortly and with it the green lush forest which turned into a dryer desert with more sparse trees and lava rocks spread out. We had done 11 miles by 10 and took a break overlooking the middle sister. Soon after we passed through an area that was covered in Obsidian rocks and had an Obsidian water fall. Mantis and I took a waterfall shower and then went on to do 4 more miles before lunch. It was a slow 4 miles as I was collecting a bunch of small obsidian rocks for earrings (which I somehow lost later that day😢)

We walked through beautiful wild flowers and millions of butterfly’s. We walked through an area composed of lava rocks and it was breathtaking seeing the views and walking in a landscape that was practically barren of trees except for a few that were able to grow out of the rocks. It was such a cool place.

After lunch we had 7.5 more to go through more lava fields, as well as live and burnt forests. The last mile was the toughest as our feet and legs were tired and it was on uneven lava rocks.

We got to McKenzie Pass and it was quite nostalgic for me. I had biked up and over that pass in 2018 on my bike ride across the country. I had wanted to do the PCT at that time and knew I’d be back there someday. Someday had finally come!

We got a hitch down the mountain from a nice, older couple who had done a lot of world traveling and were now living off the grid near Bend. We squeezed in the back with their dog Chico. They dropped us off at Winco where we did a resupply then took a Lyft to an air b&b that our friends had booked.

We showered, ate and relaxed inside for the evening. We missed the float down the river our friends did but were enjoying being inside and lying on couches!