Two months! I have not posted in two months! Not since Tuolumne Meadows! And now I am sitting at my friend Dave's house in Portland, where I will be leading a backpacking trip for Reed College starting tomorrow morning. Yes, that's right, I got off the Pacific Crest Trail to lead a backpacking trip. Everyone seems to find that amusing. The timing just worked out so perfectly and I enjoy leading Reedies into the wilderness so much that it was awfully hard to say no. Also, the money I will make by leading nine freshmen and two upperclassmen student leaders into the Mt. Adams Wilderness will pay for all of my resupplies in Washington. Nice!

So, the last two months were intense and long. Goodall and I made it through the Sierras tired but mostly intact. Her parents met us again at Sonora Pass and gave us a tasty dinner and took the unwieldy bear canisters away (far far away). Then, we entered what must have been the birthplace of the primal mosquitos, as they were there both in force and ferocity. Entire flocks hunted us for days. Headnets and DEET not optional.

Finally, we entered Northern California where we enjoyed many days of temperatures near 100 degrees Fahrenheit and plenty of volcanic rocks through old, shadeless burn areas. Northern California had more than its fair share of unpleasant days. Upon finishing the 30+ dry stretch that is Hat Creek Rim, I remember looking at two fellow hikers, Lotus and Hermes, and we all just looked spent. Shortly after, near Burney Falls, I got my worst blister of the entire trip. The intense heat combined with volcanic rock caused a large blister to form underneath the callous on the ball of my left foot. Was hardly able to walk for two days. And then my iPhone got stolen while at Castella, which had me psychologically break down for an hour (maps, notes, music, photos, videos...buh-bye) and then heading into Mt. Shasta, where I charmed my way into getting a brand new phone that afternoon and at a reduced cost.

There were really good days too though. In Sierra City, nearly everyone took at least one zero and I got to catch up with many old hiking friends. In Seiad City, Goodall and I spent the night with two Reed alums who lived just down the road in Happy Valley; enjoyed a quiet night with showers, laundry, a home cooked meal, and comfy beds. And let's not forget that sunset near Mt. Shasta where the sky came alive with mind bogglingly layers of clouds and color.

Near the Oregon border, we had our first taste of forest fires and their smoke. A lightning storm a few days prior had started at least four fires in Oregon and their smoke drifted down into California. During the long climb out of Seiad Valley, you could hardly see the hillside a couple hundred meters across from you. Once in Oregon, Ashland and Medford had such bad smoke that the outdoor plays were canceled.

Near Crater Lake, I got my first taste of Oregon weather schizophrenia. Not sure what it is, but whenever I am on the Pacific Crest Trail during August in Oregon, I always seem to have first forest fires and then chilling rain. Naturally, I had not checked the weather before leaving Ashland and had forwarded my rain pants on. Thankfully I kept my Smartwool beanie as there were a couple wet days followed by chilly nights. Yet, somehow, we carried on.

Right around the Three Sisters Wilderness, Oregon became absolutely gorgeous. Cookie and I dry camped shortly before Obsidian Creek and enjoyed a lovely sunset and sunrise to the west of Middle Sister. Sadly, the next day had us hiking through at least five miles total of volcanic rock near McKenzie Pass followed by a long, will-sucking burn area. I am ever so glad I changed my plans and took a night off in Sisters. Gave me a chance to catch up with a former coworker, eat good food, and just relax before the final push to Timberline Lodge.

Thanks to the Burney Falls Blister (say that three times fast), I was a couple days behind schedule in getting to Ashland. Originally my plan was to head off into Portland from Cascade Locks on the 21st. No way I was going to make that without risking an injury. So, since I was mostly hiking alone through Oregon, I was able to pull off a half dozen 30s and get to Timberline Lodge on the afternoon of the 20th. And that is where Dave, De'Mel, and Brian joined me for a tall glass of stout, a joyful ride back to Portland, dinner at Nicolas, and a night of Scotch tasting.

For the following night Dave and I had organized a pie party, where I ate savory and sweet pies of numerous varieties while showing photos from the trip on the TV and talking myself a bit hoarse. While at time a social malcontent with introvert tendencies, I loved seeing all of my Portland friends for the night. Felt good. Joyful, even.

Which catches us up to today. All of the gear is ready and in about an hour I will meet the nine freshmen that I will be taking out starting tomorrow morning. Relatively easy trip with no more than 6 miles between camps but it does seem like we will have cool temperatures with a chance of rain. Oh, Pacific Northwest, you so crazy.

Upon my return I will take at least one more day in Portland, if not two, and organize my resupply, see a few more people, and relax. And then back up to Timberline Lodge for four more weeks of hiking up to the Canadian border. Woo hoo!