Chief, aka Kevin. PCT 4 me 2013: The Community, Magic and Culture of the PCT...from Chief's wife's eyes....

Burney Falls State Park – July 11 - 13

Mile 1423

My road trip journey continues as I travel the PCT section of N. California. This section comprises 409 walking miles, which for me translate into about 150 driving miles. I love it. I spend so little time in the truck driving, mostly hanging out at great campsites and little mtn. towns. I continue to pick up thru hikers and get them back on the trail after their resupply pick-ups.

This morning, as I was leaving Hat Creek campground, I picked up Texas (who I haven’t seen since my resupply at Walker Pass with Dan’s cheesecake cupcakes! Texas remembers them fondly as he ate 6 of them!) and the couple from Maine, Gumby and DoubleTake. Bodie loved them. He was their early morning wake-up call as he bounced into their tent at 7am. Usually the hikers have all left before 6am for the day, but they took a late morning as they were waiting for the Post Office to open to get their resupply boxes. He had a great time with Gumby in her tent. The hikers that have had to leave dogs behind for 5 months, LOVE Bodie. They really miss their dogs.

The little camp store was the “hiker trash” hangout last night. 6 hikers came in late in the afternoon and drank beer, ate ice cream and taco’s all afternoon in front of the store. Was so happy to see Kattywompus, IceMan, Maverick and Lodgepole (father/son team). They all made me promise that Chief would take a zero-day today at Burney Falls so they could catch up with him. Apparently, he made Kattywompus a promise at Sonora Pass that he would walk “old man speed” so that they would meet again. I’m hoping he will consider the zero day? He is only taking 3 more zero’s before Mt. Hood (Timberline Lodge), when I arrive from Portland on Aug. 19. I know that Ashland is one of the zero’s. He desperately needs a haircut. Sorry Geralyn! I’m sure whatever the outcome is, it will all grow back for you to give him a proper haircut in October.

I’ve made a big Dutch Oven dinner for this evening and hope to feed at least 4 that I think are with Chief. Leaving Burney Falls, the PCT takes the BIG BEND and heads west into the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to follow along as well through this section (limited access). Castle Crags State Park may be my last camping spot before I head home on the I-5. Ick. I may decide to continue North-west and meet Chief at Etna. Etna is a very cool little town between the Shasta-Trinity and the Klamath National Forest. My parents retired there for 10 years before moving back to our area when my father became ill. It has all the charm of a little, mtn, community (brewery included). Kevin won’t even talk to me about leaving. He loves this little traveling vortex! It will be back to hiker boxes to be picked up and no more nice bed and cushion to sit on every other night!

Several hundred people leave the Mexican border around springtime to begin the adventure of a lifetime – a thru-hike, a continuous journey along the entire length of the PCT.

Along the way, thru’s experience the serenity and fullness of life at nature’s cadence (which I really enjoy!) and meet residents of nearby communities (trail towns) who sometimes perform acts of profound generosity (called Trail Magic). Kevin has told me so many stories of trail magic that I can’t even begin to go into them all, but they are out there and always a surprise. Trail magic is tangible evidence that the trail brings people together in unique ways and has a culture all of its own. Usually the term, “trail Magic” is used to describe the kindness of strangers, who sometimes come to be known as “trail angels.” Trail Magic may be as basic as a cold drink at a road crossing, or a ride into town from a trailhead. It may be a home cooked meal, a clean pair of socks, or a soft bed to sleep on for a night. It definitely infuses a hiker with gratitude and faith in the human spirit.

Another aspect of PCT life is the adoption of trail names. As you are aware, Chief got his name from a friend of ours, Paul. aka BeeMan,. He is a section hiker as he continues to work as a teacher in our hometown. He takes many of his long breaks to complete various sections. He has been an inspiration for Chief. We were so hopeful that they could finish together, but I’m not sure about that. Trail names are generally given to you by other hikers. No one calls each other by their given names, and I still get quite a chuckle from hikers when they hear me call Chief, Kevin! They just laugh. He’s only Chief to them.

To communicate up and down the trail, hikers use log books that are left at trail junctions or in local towns. They serve as the trail grapevine and can be very helpful for unknown water cache sites.

I know that I’ve touched on some of these “qualities” of the PCT, in some of my previous updates, but I hope you get the idea. It’s really quite magical.