Chief, aka Kevin. PCT 4 me 2013: 07/28/13

Etna Summit mile 1605.5

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It's been a week since I left Chief at the Etna Summit to start his walk into OREGON. I can't tell you how excited all the hikers are to get to a new state. I think it's just something to look forward to? Whatever it is, they are all seem very motivated to keep a good pace for the next 100 miles until the Oregon border. With a few extra pounds and a new pair of shoes (#4), I said my goodbye's to my walking man.

As my status has changed from MTA - Mobile
Trail Angel back to just Maureen, I am having to give you information from texts and satellite messages that Kevin has been sending. Thanks to Paul C, aka BeeMan, for giving me this lovely title of MTA. It really stuck and all of the hikers enjoyed the support for 3 weeks on the trail. I had the most wonderful time. Words can't really do justice to this trail and the PCT community. Both Kevin and I decided we will always give back to the PCT during the Spring of every year.

When Kevin left Etna Summit, he walked 56 miles over a period of 2 days to reach the Seiad Valley (still in CA). It was a hard two days, very dry, very hot, and very exposed - due to fire damage of recent years. The trail meandered through some private land and therefore camping was a bit difficult, so putting in the long miles seemed necessary to get to both water and camping spots. He always has a hard time leaving after I've been around. I feel so bad watching him walk away. But his spirits are up and he feels good physically, so more power to him. Walk on. In Seiad Valley the hikers can step up to the PANCAKE challenge!

The Pancake Challenge

The Seiad Valley Cafe (in Seiad Valley, CA) is right on the Pacific Crest Trail. They are home to the infamous "Pancake Challenge". Hungry thru-hikers who take the challenge try to eat 5 one-pound pancakes in under two hours. If you can do it the pancakes are free, and you'll get your picture placed in their Wall of Fame for all other hikers to envy until the end of time. Few have ever succeeded. Many have taken a zero day to recover from their failed attempts. The Pancake Challenge is so popular that it has even appeared on the Travel Channel.

So we had heard about this and read about it and even watched in last years, Class of 2012 video ...but Kevin said it's crazy. The town of Seiad Valley (all 80 of it's population) will come to the cafe to watch the PCT hiker who steps up to the challenge. When Kevin was there, one hiker decided he would try the challenge. The town showed up, but at the last minute, he decided against it. Pretty crazy stuff.
check it out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zbs2tI2hPCY
Needless to say, as much as Kevin LOVES pancakes he declined! Thank God.
From Seiad Valley it's a mere 64 miles to the Oregon BORDER. Apparently that wasn't such a great walk either, as you were on a asphalt road for about 8 miles which was hard on the already sore, bruised feet. Not to mention that the forest was so thick with very narrow canyons only allowing you to see green every where one looked, to either side or up and down...for miles. Then there was the challenge of attacking a BIG climb of 4000 ft first thing in the morning. All sounds dreadful to me.
Either way, OREGON was right where the data book said it would be!

Kevin got to the intersection of Hwy 99 and Hwy 5 ready for his hitch into Ashland for a zero. Thanks to Loy, John and Judy, who arrived early and hiked the trail for a bit to greet him with cold beers, brownies and a ride into town for both he and Smooth Operator. After a nice lunch with all of the above, he checked into a hotel and began taking a multitude of shower/bath combo's, cleaned up and bought new clothes. Out with the old shirt and pants. Laundry can only go so far. Mile 1726 demands a new shirt for sure. One of the hikers, Beads, met a very nice couple during our time at the Etna Bluegrass Festival. They insisted that she call them when she got to Ashland and invite whoever was around for a backyard BBQ. So through the great technology of texting, a nice group of hikers enjoyed an Ashland BBQ complete with ribs, beer, potato salad and Loy's brownies. Then off to a play in town. It was a great evening and all of their neighbors came to enjoy the PCT company. It made Kevin miss home. Ashland proved to be a wonderful trail friendly town and a nice zero day. Last zero he will take until Timberline Lodge, Mt. Hood, mile 2107.

Left Ashland on July 27. Got a ride back to trail with a friend of Smooth Operators. Did 23 miles that day and had the best campsite at mile 1750. Hyatt Lake BLM campsite. Hot showers, electricity in bathrooms to charge phone, and water at all the faucets! What a surprise and all for $2.00. He did mention that it was very smokey from all the Lightening Fires in No. Cal. He is going to take it a bit easier with miles as the air quality is not so good. Will only do 24 mile days to make it to Crater Lake in 5 days. I sent a resupply box to Crater Lake with lots of good stuff so that will be a nice surprise.

A side note on Smooth Operator. Kevin is reading Mark Twain. Smooth O asked him how he likes the book and Kevin mentioned that he has been reading quite a bit of Twain on this trip. Well, after some probing questions from SO, it appears that he knows quite a bit about Mark Twain..go figure, he graduated from UC Berkely and is a Mark Twain Scholar! The trail continues to surprise you on every turn.

Keep walking Chief. See you at Timberline Lodge!!!!!
Maureen