Day 164 – Mile 2644.3 – 2655.2 + 8miles

Tentsite (2) to Canada

Miles to go: 0

Canada: 2655.2 + 8miles

After a near sleepless night in my damp, mouse chewed tent I looked out to clear skies and a beautiful sunrise.

I had just a few miles to go and it felt like my fortunes had changes as it was perfect hiking weather. Bright sunshine but cool, with a slight breeze. I climbed the 800ft elevation I had left within the first 3 miles then change my attire from merino wool top to hiking shirt so I could keep cool in the warming sun.

Reflecting on my entire hike I’d summarise the 5 sections as follows: (they aren’t necessarily in the order I hiked them)

◦ The Desert – Brutal training ground

◦ The High Sierra – Epic

◦ Northern California – Unexpectedly tough

◦ Oregon – Cruisey

◦ Washington – Harsh but fair

After I got down to ‘Hopkins Lake’ there was just 6miles to go. I was so desperate to get to the end. I felt it was bittersweet to be ending my epic adventure but also knew ‘Winter is coming’ and wanted to be out of the unpredictable Washington weather. (Garmin weather didn’t get it right very often)

The ‘Northern Terminus’ is as monumental a place as any hiker could wish to be. (Even southbound hikers who start here). It’s an unmanned border where hikers can cross into Canada, but strictly only one-way (never from Canada to the US). From the monument you can see the firebreak of the border as far as the eye can see. Amazing!

After many photos and celebrations with Chris (a fellow hiker with no trail name) I left for ‘Manning Park’ (8miles). Chris had 30miles to hike back to a road, at Harts Pass, on the US side of the border.

Water filtered: 509.0 litres

PCT Miles hiked today: 10.9 + 8.0

Nights under canvas current streak: 0

Max streak: 18

Total nights under canvas: 121

Total nights in a building: 43

Lake swims: 1

Showers: 39

Trail Magic: 19

Thought for the day: Happy Trails!