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Flying Solo

  • Samuel Emigrant
  • Aug 17, 2018
  • 2 min read

From here on out I'm without my wing man. I was very happy to have Mark kick off this trip with me but now it was time to fly solo. The Hopwood's left to explore Oregon, and Trish dropped me off at the PCT trail head at Willamette Pass on Hwy 58 and kissed my arse goodbye (Pic 1). Trish drove back to Anchor Bay, CA to enjoy the Hwy 1 coast and work from her brother's house.

So off I went, July 18th, on the first 9.7 miles of the next 180, on my way to Mt. Hood and a reunion with Trish on August 5th. Would I make it? I had no idea, but the first 4 days were successful, so I was hopeful. The views and lakes on this first day were beautiful as I made my way to Bobby Lake by way of the Rosary Lakes, a trilogy of lakes, each a bit higher in elevation (Pic 2-5). I ran across a Black Weasel and another hiker flushed 2 Grouse right in front of me. Being a Pheasant hunter you would think I'd be used to the sound of birds flushed from cover but it startles me every time. I also get a good picture of a little begging chipmunk (Pic 8).

After passing above the Rosary Lakes I get an incredible view back down past the Upper, Middle and Lower Rosary to Lake Odell and Crescent Lake in the far background where Trish and Denise picked us up on Day 4 (Pic 7 & 9). I leave Trish at 8:30 a.m. and arrive at Bobby Lake at 1:30 p.m. I was obviously feeling pretty good because I was cruising. I thought about continuing on but I was nursing a blister on my right big toe and decided to stick with the plan. Day 5 was complete and my first day alone goes off without a hitch.

Bobby Lake was perfect for a swim (Pic 10-12). It was looking like I was going to camp alone tonight but I got a pleasant surprise when our new friends Iron Man and the Boston Straggler wandered in late. They had spent a zero day at Shelter Cover Resort on Lake Odell and got a late start. Having company is much better than being alone. Tomorrow was my longest planned segment at 13.7 miles but I would later find out it would not be my longest day.

 
 
 

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About Me.

I'm a double hip recipient approaching 60 but I'm not ready to stop exploring the wilderness.  I'm documenting my goal to be the first of my kind to hike the state of Oregon on the PCT, July 2018.  Subscribe below to follow my progress.  Thanks! 

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Keith means "Lover of Nature and the Outdoors"

I was introduced to Backpacking in 8th grade by Mr. Landfear, who taught Horticulture-Ecology.  He would take a group of kids a couple times a year backpacking in Yosemite or Desolation Wilderness. He knew Yosemite like the back of his hand.

 

His first lesson was always leave your campsite in better condition than you found it.  That man could spy an aspirin size piece of foil in the dirt from 25 yds. I never forgot the lesson. I've packed a sizable amount of garbage out over the years that wasn't mine to begin with.  

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I have been backpacking with the same group of guys in one combination or another now for 43 years. We all experienced the same 7th and 8th grade Science department at Mendenhall Junior High School in Livermore, CA. (Mr. Carlson also lead trips to Yosemite.) Quite remarkable when you think about it. There were a couple years when injuries or ailments shut someone down and we picked another adventure together (Salmon Fishing at Deception Pass followed by Car Camping in the Northern Cascades or there was the year we fished King Salmon on the Kenai and Halibut on the Cook Inslet in Alaska.  

 

There was a period of backpacking with friends I met while attending CAL, including a few trips combined with guys from both groups.  For the last 30 years it's been just the original Moles from Mendenhall.  We have been all over the Central Sierras, including Yosemite, Emigrant Wilderness, Desolation Wilderness and the Stanislaus National Forest. During the years living in WA State there were Cascade trips into Alpine Wilderness and North Cascades National Park. Recently, while living in CT I have explored a bit of the Appalachian Trail packing the MA and CT sections.

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A great new pair of Vasque boots has given me a new lease on my packing life. I plan to keep going. Next year at age 58 (after my second Hip resurfacing) I have a few trips in mind for CA, WA and NH on both the PCT and AT.  And then the biggee at age 59, 380 miles of the Oregon PCT.  The guys are skeptical but, of one thing there is no doubt, I know they will have a hard time not showing up for at least part of the ride.

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Remember, be nice to Mother Nature!

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