Day 102: A Truly Boring Trail

August 10, 2015 Little Hyatt Reservoir Outlet (1748.8) to Tentsite before Hwy 140 (1775.2) 26.4 PCT miles today 1815.5 miles total Today’s Elevation Gain/Loss: + 3,600 ft, – 3,196 ft It took another full day of hiking, but I think we’re finally starting to get our trail legs back. Apparently, taking two zeroes requires that…

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Day 101: Breaking the Cycle

August 9, 2015 Ashland (1726.5) to Little Hyatt Reservoir Outlet (1748.8) 22.3 PCT miles today 1789.1 miles total Today’s Elevation Gain/Loss: + 3,965 ft, – 3,524 ft Today was much harder than it should have been. The trail was nice and smooth, the weather moderate, and the elevation gain and loss was almost imperceptible. However,…

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Day 100: A Whole Lotta Nada

August 8, 2015 Ashland (1726.5) 0 miles today 1766.8 miles total Today’s Elevation Gain/Loss: + 0 ft, – 0 ft Normally on Day 100 of this hike I would write all about what it feels like to have hiked and camped for 100 days straight, but seeing as how I spent almost all day laying…

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Day 99: Busy Bodies

August 7, 2015 Ashland (1726.5) 0 miles today 1766.8 miles total Today’s Elevation Gain/Loss: + 0 ft, – 0 ft This morning was the highlight of today’s zero. We took our time packing up and getting ready, but once the lodge opened back up, we were seated inside sipping delicious coffee and socializing with our…

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Day 98: Real Life Oregon Trail

August 6, 2015 (19th Re-Ration – Ashland) Tentsite after Wrangle Gap (1707.8) to Callahan’s Resort – Ashland (1726.5) 18.7 PCT miles today 1766.8 miles total Today’s Elevation Gain/Loss: + 2,322 ft, – 4,809 ft This is the stuff backpackers’ dreams are made of. The trail in Oregon has already started living up to its reputation…

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Day 97: Moving On Up

August 5, 2015 Bear Dog Spring (1682.8) to Tentsite after Wrangle Gap (1707.8) 25.0 PCT miles today 1748.1 miles total Today’s Elevation Gain/Loss: + 4,513 ft, – 4,050 ft Last night, when I said that crossing the border into Oregon would be bittersweet, I was wrong. It was nothing but exciting and satisfying. California remained…

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Day 96: The Game of Telephone

August 4, 2015 Seiad Valley RV Park (1662.1) to Bear Dog Spring (1682.8) 20.7 PCT miles today 1723.1 miles total Today’s Elevation Gain/Loss: + 7,160 ft, – 2,497 ft A funny thing happens out here on the PCT. Remember that game “telephone” that you used to play in elementary school? The one where you pass…

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Day 95: Bear + Deer = Beer

August 3, 2015 (18th Re-Ration – Seiad Valley) Tentsite before Buckhorn Spring (1638.8) to Seiad Valley RV Park (1662.1) 23.3 PCT miles today 1702.4 miles total Today’s Elevation Gain/Loss: + 2,318 ft, – 7,678 ft Some days are just more physically exhausting than others. Today was almost completely downhill and on flat road, which you’d…

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Day 94: Setting the Mood

August 2, 2015 Cub Bear Spring (1614.0) to Tentsite before Buckhorn Spring (1638.8) 24.8 PCT miles today 1679.1 miles total Today’s Elevation Gain/Loss: + 5,474 ft, – 5,040 ft Today was one of those days that brings out your inner artist. The air around us was filled with smoke and the sun was hidden behind…

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Day 93: An Underrated Tinderbox

August 1, 2015 South Fork of Scott River (1585.5) to Cub Bear Spring (1614.0) 28.5 PCT miles today 1654.3 miles total Today’s Elevation Gain/Loss: + 6,031 ft, – 5,533 ft When you hear people talk about the PCT, it is rarely about Northern California. The desert gets tons of attention because it is a proving…

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