Darrell on the Pacific Crest Trail

2300 Miles ....and then the fat lady sang!! ..... (Bottom line?..we didn't make it!)

2011-10-22T21:06:00.000-07:00

They say you can't control the weather and I guess they're right!

We dreaded heading for the Pacific NorthWest and for good reason.

Five Months of warm, sunny summer weather had to balance out somewhere....

and Washington certainly took care of that!

Does that look like west coast weather or what??

With time and daylight running out Darrell tries a new strategy..

Running!

A trip to REI for some new waterproof equipment and we're off!

(new pack, hat, raincoat, rainpants, etc.)

Good to go!...wish me luck!

Running in the rain...Oh Joy!
First day of running! (kind of enjoyable)

Second day of running!...Scary....

.. got through just before dark! ......(not enjoyable!)

With no overnight gear it would have been downright

dangerous to be caught out over night! - Time for a change of plans!

The two one-day legs are now done! ( Crest horse camp to road 5603)

Back to overnight camping!

With limited daylight early starts are a must!

This leg goes all right... some nice, fall colours!

A happy face to keep you going....

A bit of snow but not bad!

Hopefully he was going the other way?

"Ah... salvation!...the white VW!"

That completed the 'White Pass' to Hwy 410 section!...

Now back to try the Goat Rocks .

(Left these as long as possible due to some 7000' passes)

Starts out OK - nice hiking!

Still fine - Looking good!

approaching 7000'

All of a sudden it's not looking so good!

Now it's not looking good at all....... Solid snow and icy to boot!
Too dangerous to attempt alone - especially without crampons!
No choice but to turn back....bummer!

Did I tell you ? - " I hate snow!"

The trip back is disgustingly nice

I guess this is why the 'Goat Rocks' are called what they are!

It's now the middle of October - and with some 350 miles yet to go it

doesn't look promising. Unless the forecast for the rest of October indicates

lots of warm, sunny weather this trip is over! Right now it looks like we'll

have to book some holidays for September, 2012 and complete it then!

Rats!!

And this guy was really helpful ....... he offered me a quarter
so I could call someone who cared!

Nice!

COACHES CORNER:

After spending all summer looking for sections that were free of 'old' snow

it was discouraging to now be looking for sections free of 'new' snow!....

It meant we were back to driving around trying to keep Darrell on the trail!

Needless to say this kept 'Pickup' & 'Dropoff' (our trail names) pretty busy!

The view from the 'cockpit'........ we saw this a lot!
It felt like we drove in & out of every small town
in America about four times!

This was probably our longest stay ... 'Randle' - just north of Mt St. Helen's
- About 5 or 6 days!
We even managed to get Darrell to do some cooking!...
(notice Sandy's gleeful smile!)

And talk about the world being a small place!....

Guess who we met in the Randle Motel restaurant?

Vern Tejas - the very accomplished climbing guide that Darrell met in Antarctica!
(He has probably broken more climbing records than any other guide!)

Since we were near Mt. St. Helen's we checked out the old 'miners car'
.....Certainly looking worse for wear after 31 years!

Someone was getting into the winter spirit (not us)
This must have been an easy one - it was only 6" tall!

Heading south into 'Goat Rocks' to meet up with Darrell......
After hiking in for 3-4 hours and no Darrell we get a phone call..

"I can't make it... I'm turning back - see if you can pick me up at lake 'xyz' "

"OK....Sure...never heard of it ....but no problem"

I think we found him by about 9:30PM - He was already asleep in the bathroom!

After another night in Randle we headed north to Winthrop the following day.

Our 'Charlie Brown' Christmas tree!

On the way to 'Maple Pass'

A batch of 'Angle Hair' fungus

And now for something completely different.....

Ever wonder why Dutch farms are so neat,tidy and clean??

It's easy.....They train their pigs!

And here's one last really, really hungry cat!

I guess that's it for this year..

tune in you next September!

2192 Miles - 967,296 paces to go (FYI = 458 miles)

2011-10-09T19:01:00.000-07:00

'Out with the old and in with the new'
(Third pair of boots so far!!)
"This is getting f..........g expensive!!"

But they (the boots) allow me see lots of this!
(this was just north of 'Donner Pass' - near Truckee!)

And this ....'Mules ears'

And this! near Sierra City

The Peter Grubb hut!

Would've stayed here but that would've required a boni-fide emergency!

(Didn't have the heart to cook up one!)

More awesome flowers - I think they're called 'Plyt' and 'Plwt'
('pretty little yellow things' & 'pretty little white things'!)

Coach Sandy at work!

"Yup....I don't care if you don't want to......
.......You're going up there ....
...and you're doing it tomorrow!"

An enchanting piece coming into Sierra City!

the backsides of the Sierra Buttes

A tailgate party with my friends!
(met them where the trail crossed a back road)
They couldn't do enough for me!
(Actually it's pretty special when strangers do things like that!!)

On top of lookout rock!
( If I look uncomfortable .....it's because I was!)

......Ho Hum ....The tedium!.........
........Did I tell you I hate hiking??.....
(Tell me again why we're doing this!)

A respite at Belden - 2nd stay in the 'Panda' cabin!
(Tick territory tomorrow - Oh Joy!)

When are the 'boys' coming on???
.....What's with this football sh...t?

Leaving Hwy 36.... (Near Chester)
(Note the crystallized sunshine!)

Coming into 'Drakesbad resort' - 5:30PM and getting dark!
(Thanks to 'Brook' for breaking trail)

A Christmas tree!
on the last leg of the trip in California!

A winter wonderland -
......on the way to 'Old Station'.....

Lenticular clouds over Mt Lassen
(indicates high winds)

Second growth forest just outside 'Old Station'

Actually its a 'tree farm'!

(If you look carefully you can see the 'grid' planting pattern!)

And goodbye to California!
Hallelujah!!

COACHES CORNER:

Things are changing!!

For a while it wasn't too bad......

We rented bikes for a ride on the shores of Lake Tahoe!

Checked out some old marine steam engines!....

We though about trying these luscious berries.....
......But didn't know (for sure) what they were...
...and we didn't really want to test our medical coverage just yet!

We passed!

All of a sudden the campgrounds were deserted!

dinner was happening after dark........

And we were waking up to this??
...In California??

So we started 'slumming'!

Nice digs!....
(but squeaky bed!)

Lovely washroom!
(It was actually all right!)

Crooked floor??

No Problem.....We just happened to have the equipment to fix that!

.......And be careful when you step out of the back door!.......
This guy was guarding the owners collection of chainsaws!

While on the trail we saw this nailed to a tree!!....

(....I think my head swelled three sizes that day!!)

And then while in town we checked out the 'plantation'

.....Checked the headstones and did the math...........very sobering!!

(I think my head shrunk three sizes that day!)

.....And then I checked out my granddaughter's picture .....
.....And all was well with the world again!
(Kaylee's new glasses!....so cute!)

This is a freebee!......"awe...."

Oh.....and here's another really, really, hungry cat!!

Good night...see you next post!!

1939.8 miles and making progress!!

2011-09-17T13:13:00.000-07:00

The 'for-profit' medical clinics followed us everywhere we went........
......Just waiting for the inevitable liver failures!

The 'John Muir' day shelter on the way to
Yosemite NP - (no overnight camping)

Lake 'Wanda' - Named after one of John Muir's daughters.

Enjoying the morning sun.....

It's now 11:00AM.... note the clouds
Remember the old saying...
"Clouds before 11:00....Thunder storms by 7:00"

"Did I tell you.....I don't like thunder storms??"

And then the next morning....all is forgiven.....

Until the afternoon when it start all over again!
With snow this time!

But then it's God's country again in the morning
and all is well with the world!

We're the weird ones out here!....
Most people come here to fish!

(Probably more logical than just
chasing rabbits up mountains)

"Rest time!....chasing rabbits is hard work!"

This is another thing they get right!....
......have some animal carry your stuff!

Gorgeous country....The 'Carson-iceberg wilderness'
Hiking along at the 11,000' level.
(except for here - dropped to the lake below to escape the thunder storms)

COACHES CORNER:

While Darrell puts in his 20 miles a day

We kill time in other ways......!

Staff reporters John and Sandy reporting for duty!

'BODIE' an 'arrested decay' ghost town!
An old, turn of the century, gold and silver mine!
(Typewriter above was courtesy of Bodie!)

As always....We cheat!

Here's how WE do the PCT!
......On horseback!
From Devil's Post Pile to the red Cones!

The view from the driver's seat!
(Oops....I mean...Saddle!)

The biggest problem??....
Getting these *&%# horses to stop eating while underway!

They must have known Dan was thinking of coming here!
They added 'NO HANG GLIDERS'
just to be on the safe side!

Dropped in at the Lone Pine
'Beverly and Jim Rogers film museum'
(They filmed 80% of the B class westerns
in the nearby Alabama hills)

The Alabama hills!....classic western scenery!
(except us of course)

And Guess what else they had at the museum??

A 1941 Buick coupe convertible!

The exact same car I had as a young man!

(read... a long time ago!)

The car I drove back in the 70's

(except for a 1964 401cu in V8, 1959 power steering,
1960 power brakes, 1962 rear end.... honking big radial tires.....
Except for that..... mine was pretty much stock!)

A great car for enjoying the sunshine!

Here's one for Klaas

A great example of first-class body work!

Want bigger tires??

No Problem.... Grab some pliers and presto!....Done!

And how do we end the day??
Simple.... a nice glass of wine by the camp fire!

Good night until the ext post!

JSD

1751.4 miles ....Birthday time in the high Sierras!!

2011-09-05T18:00:00.000-07:00

Another day older and one more dollar in debt!

(OK...another year older and way more in debt!)

Darrell is one year shy of 60 now.

And with the extra year comes the following!!

Do...Do I have to??

Enjoying the sunny, snow free Trinity Alps
Castle crags to Etna

With no direct support (i.e. Richard, Rob, Rod or Nicola)
Darrell relies on benevolent Trail Angels again!

Always a pleasure!....never ending flowers....all summer long.

Surprise..Surprise....ran into Mark & Holly again!
Shared a glass a champagne with them at Mile '0'
on the Mexican border, April 17!

Have now moved south to the Sierra Nevada's
Picking up where we left off....Kennedy Meadows
...view of typical alpine pond as DA hikes north..

Nice, clear skies up here!

Up..down....Up..down....This is the 'down'.
At least I didn't have to ford this one!

some people 'cheat' .... maybe they have a case......
....Tempting!.....

Another high pass....Getting closer to the big one!

Rugged mountains in the Mt. Whitney area!
A lot of up and down.
(Feels like mostly up!)

And a high camp!

Finally....the big one!
Have now completed both the high and the low points on the PCT!

Fellow hikers/climbers on the trail .........(not PCT'rs)

Finally back to Dusy Basin!
After the first aborted trip 33 years ago!!

Next stop?

Over Bishop pass and into town for some R & R
(......read shower and cheap wine!)

COACHES CORNER:

Having dropped Darrell off at Kennedy Meadows for his final journey north

John and Sandy spend their time trying to avoid the hot, eastern Sierra sun!

Temperatures in the valley are in the 95 -100 F range - too hot to stay down low!

This was in Bridgeport heading south!
(Technically we hadn't dropped DA off yet
But we were starting to feel the valley heat!)

This would be funny if it wasn't so true!

Camp visitors in the McCloud area
( I guess they didn't know cross-bow hunting season was about to start)

Flowers in the dessert? ...well sort of....
these were on the flanks of telescope peak ...
part of death valley!

On top of Telescope peak ....11,000+ feet
( Death valley Badwater below us at - 190 ' below sealevel)
A great hike ....and cool temperatures!

A day hike to Army pass (12,000') in the high Sierras..
Another hike to high elevation to avoid the heat!
(Mt Whitney in the distance on the right)

Time out for something 'normal'
Went to the 'Tri-County Rodeo' in Bishop....
Man...... can those cowboys, cowgirls and horses move!!

Back to our 'normal'..... A hike through the Bristlecone Pine forest
The trees here are up to 4600 years old!!
Including dead wood found on the ground in this area they
can use tree rings to go back in time up to 11,000 years!

This was a really nice hike at 10,000' -- nice and cool!

Hiking to Bishop pass to pick up DA
(as noted earlier... 33 years since our last visit!)

DA .....Coming down from Dusy Basin and Bishop pass
The end of a very long...26 mile day!

Darrell never complains about sore feet...

If he ever does we just threaten him with this remedy....!

A pair of bionic, stone age feet!!

See you next post!....

(Sorry ...no pussycat pix this time!)

1525.6 Miles Oregon is done and the snow is going!!

2011-08-20T18:49:00.000-07:00

Well we're back - sorry about the wait!

We're making progress now and we finally get

to black out the last bit of the PCT in Oregon!

Our progress map is starting look better!

When you're on the trail for awhile you tend to get a little 'ripe'..

A lot of people object but Darrell found a nice old chap that didn't!

"Hi there... Did I ever tell you about the time I climbed Mt. Everest??....."
"No?....Well have I got a story for you......."

Things are going a little slower than expected due to the snow

If we don't speed up all the PCT markers will be gone!

Going....going....Gone?

A little bit of energy drink and a lot of Jack Daniels
eases the boredom of the Hwy 58 to Elk lake section.

As long as you ignored the bugs some of it was kind of pretty!

And some of it wasn't.....(approaching Mt.Bachelor)

A welcome break at Elk Lake -
'Pick-up' & 'Drop-off serving smoothies at the Tiki Bar!

Next leg - the 'Three Sisters' area

Elk Lake to McKenzie pass

The pumice fields of 'Wikiup plains'

(the Indians used to hold huge pow-wows here)

Obsidian by the ton! (volcanic glass)

Some 'normal' hiking.....finally!

Hiking buddies for awhile ( to McKenzie pass)
Terri (left) & Isabella (right)
Together they figured out a way through the remaining snow sections!

Next section - McKenzie pass to Bruitenbush lake

Joined by Richard Walters and Rob Mason on this 4 day piece.

'Mom' (Sandy) checking the boys out before they leave..
...adjusting straps...checking water levels....hats on?........

Requesting 'blessings' from the 'Yekceb' obelisk at McKenzie pass
prior to hitting the trail

100 yards on the trail and so far so good!....no blisters yet!

A nice reward for a hard day's work
A cool swim and some TLC for the feet!

An other nice reward.....Left by trail angels....sweet!!

Not as nice as a TV set but still OK
If you're going to rough it ....you got to rough it!!
(they're trying really hard to ignore their blisters)

Last section to do in Oregon.. approaching Mt Hood

Richard...'smelling the roses'..
Darrell didn't have the heart to tell him they weren't roses!

Done!!...... the reward is coming!

With Oregon done Richard and Rob give Darrell a ride

to Cle Elum in Washington - End of the Journey for R & R

and the start of the next leg in Washington for Darrell

Turns out that didn't fly - Park Rangers advised them not to

carry on into Washington as there was still too much snow!

Rod and Nicola arrived just in time to drive Darrell back

to Northern California - There they joined him on the Etna to Seiad

Valley section of the Trinity Alps.

Rod's next business venture!

"Hi guys!"

Almost as nice as the North Cascades!......(Almost)

Rod and Nicola luck out..... they got to hike one of the more
beautiful sections!

A cool refreshing swim
(the drastic cropping was necessary)

'Nurse' Nicola in action.....applying some TLC.
(I suspect Rod didn't have any blisters at all!)

Success!! - Made it!

Time to turn the 'boy' back over to 'pickup' & 'dropoff'

COACHES CORNER:

While Darrell does the 'Hard Core' hiking J & S take a more civilized approach.......

What do you do when see this sign?? .....'Kayaks for rent'

"you rent them of course!...."

A strenuous climb to the top of 'Mt. Bachelor' - 9500'

the 'hard' way1

After all that work you need some serious 'time out'
An interesting book & a glass of wine does the trick!

Of course we don't cheat all the time!

This was a 4600' climb to top of South Sister (10400') for an
overnight stay .....couldn't cheat on this one!..... no ski lift!

nice view from the top!

While Darrel was supported by Richard and Rob / Rod and Nicola .... 'pick-up & 'drop-off'

use the opportunity to head back north to Vancouver for Karl & Bridget's annual BBQ

(and to see the grand kids of course)

"....these are for my baby!...."

(Baby brother / sister to be)

Luke and Nyla go nuts at the Water Park

Look at me Ma!!....Look at me!

Me too Ma!!......Me too!!

What ever you do!....never...ever....
leave your Rum & Coke alone for even a second!

Dealing with grand kids can get very tiring!

I find my legs get really tired and heavy!.....

See what I mean!

And we ran into another one of these very very hungry cats!!

See you next post!

1327.8 Miles - making progress - and finally did 'IT'....

2011-07-31T16:29:00.000-07:00

Still bouncing around trying to find some snow free sections!

As of the last post DA completed a section of the Trinity Alps,(California)

The Sky lakes section, Crater lake area and the Mt Thielsen section.(Oregon)

and......

.....John and Sandy finally did 'IT'
(tell you more in coaches corner!)

But first .... Darrell's progress!

Trinity Alps (California).... Cold, wet and raining!
...not looking forward to camping in the rain!

Luck out! - Made it to shelter where someone had a fire going!
-Small mercies are really appreciated!

J&S waiting for Darrell at Mt Ashland - (Siskiyou summit area)
Raining, wet and dreary.... didn't get up until after lunch!

After picking DA up at Mt Ashland we jump north to the Crater Lake area.

It seemed the most promising!

Still lots of snow but pretty open so the navigating was easier.

Take a detour to the crater rim .... can walk the road if trail is too tough
Prettier too!

What did I tell you!

After completing the section from Hwy62 to Hwy 138 we head
back to the dreaded 'SkyLakes' area...
According to the rangers there's still snow...
and where there's no snow...there's BUGS!!

Back at Hwy 140

Some local entertainment at 'Lake of the Woods'
(We'll do anything to delay the SkyLakes section!)

A dinner time view of Mt McLaughlin - 9450'

John, Sandy and Darrell climb Mt McLaughlin the next
day to get a better view of the SkyLakes area!

looks pretty good ... not seeing a lot of snow
Looks like it's a 'go'!

(Oh!...Did we tell you we did 'IT'?)

Looking back at Mt McLaughlin ....
SkyLakes now safely behind...

Now move again....this time to the north side of Crater Lake.
The Mt Thielsen section - Hwy 138 to Hwy 58

Looking north from Crater Lake - Mt Thielsen in the distance.

Snow again but able to take some lower trails
to get around it this time.

Set up camp on a snow free section of dirt ...
...Usually able to find a little bit of turf!

But that doesn't seem to get rid of the bugs
.....in fact they seem to be at their worst when they first hatch out!
Did I tell you I hate bugs???

For some weird reason they didn't seem to know what to do
when presented with a whole, naked body ....
They left me alone while I went swimming!

dinner! ... Love the Jet-Boil stove!!

sunset!! .... almost worth the bugs!

Finally out at HWY 58

My beer!..My beer alone!!...
And you're not getting it!....

COACHES CORNER:

We're spending a lot of our time still solving logistical problems and

getting Darrell to his various pick-up and drop-off locations...

But we did find time to do some of our own stuff.

(In case you need it...here's one more clue)

Here's our Mosquito fighting technique...
a portable fan with a citronella ring attached!!
(the fan works pretty good...the citronella does nothing!)

Poor rig - never saw so much dust in it's short life.
We promised it a loving wash and wax as soon as possible!

Our home for a few days while in the Crater Lake area...
Very commfortable!

Very 30's inside...
(Especially the part about the woman doing the dishes while the man recreates!)

(Actually darrell is very good about doing the dishes so the above is an anomoly!!)

While Darrell was completing his Crater Lakes sections J & S explore on their own

This is the lowpoint - we hiked down to lake just so we could say we did!
The water is super clear! - The kids look like they're suspended in air
Dan the diver would get the urge to submerge in this water!!

(figured 'IT' out yet?)

We also drove to the high point - there's still a bit of snow up here!
From here we climbed Mt Scott.... the highest point in the park.

The lookout on Mt. Scott -
(The lookout is in better shape than it appears)

The view of Crater lake from the top -
It's very obvious from up here that Crater Lake is a cauldera!

Couple of hours to get up - 20 minutes to get back down
A great way to do it as long as you don't slip!
(as usual this was steeper than it looks!........
....it would be 'salmon patte' for any exposed skin if you did slip!)

Pumice pinnacles - easily 100' tall and a number of them are hollow!
(formed when hot gases vented through the freshly laid down pumice)

They say you get shorter as you get older!......
I didn't believe them till I saw this picture..
I guess it's true!!

The Brett outdoor festival in Jacksonville...
This was the Evett Brothers doing their 'sound check'
We were really chocked to find we had missed the 'Alison Krause' concert
We were in town but it was sold out! .......Darn, Darn and Double Darn

The Jacksonville cemetary police in action!
Apparently they don't like ceramic momentos and similar ilk!

Here's IT!!
The Segway!
Remember when they first came out? ...
They were supposed to be the best thing since sliced bread and would simply be known as 'IT!'

Notwithstandin all the hype these things are wonderful machines..
They look insanely unstable but they're not....
When you're riding them it;s almost as if they respond to your thoughts!
We went on a two hour tour around Jacksoville and had a ball!!
(up and down hills, on gravel, on dirt...you name it)

IT! (x2)

See you next post!

1087 miles and the saga continues!

2011-07-16T18:01:00.000-07:00

Here's the carrot!! ....

If we get Darrell through to Mt. Hood we'll all stay at the
'Mt. Hood Timberline Lodge' some day in the future.

"We plan to take him up on it!!"

An easy two day hike from Timothy lake to here!
JR joins DA on the next, snowy leg to Mt Hood! (east side)
(hence the offer mentioned above)

Made it through!
Nice to leave the trees and get out in the open!

Perfect day! - Sunny, alpine hiking!
Just a few short steps and we'll grab that carrot!
(Thanks Darrell!)

The next leg around Mt Hood is to dicey so we skip past that to the west side of Mt Hood
'LoLo Pass'
It looks like it might be go!

Mt. Hood behind - heading up from LoLo Pass

First part seems OK!!

Unfortunately... It was not to be....

too much snow again and no trace of the trail...

DA comes trundling back into 'coaches' camp at 8:00PM

Coach Sandy gets a fire going and scrounges up some dinner!

After a huddle around the war table it is decided!!

We'll force our way through...

First step?.... a trip to REI in Portland....
For some necessary shopping!

.......need more gear!

Like an ice axe!
Didn't bring mine so had to buy a new one!
- all aluminum - only weighs 7-8 oz.
(Always wanted this axe so this was a good excuse!)

Had to break out the crampons...
(Had these with us so no problem there)

And put our GPS units to good use!
(not just an exercise any more)

Although the trail was gentle the slope certainly wasn't
A un-stopped slip here would be an 'owie'
(hence the need for an ice-axe!)

getting through it - starting to see some trail!

Got that done....Out in the open...
Mt Adam beyond!

Hiking down from Indian Springs camp to the Columbia River Gorge...
The trail goes through a tunnel blasted out behind the falls!
Surprise, surprise - the falls are called 'Tunnel Falls'

The lowest point on the PCT - elevation approx 160'
DA walking over the 'Bridge of the Gods'
....Heading into Washington state for some low level hiking there.

A much appreciated work crew! - Often volunteers!
Clearing the trail in southern Washington.
They deserve our gratitude!

Early July!
Snow conditions are OK in Washington so we get in about three days of hiking.

DA pulls off the trail at Crest Horse Camp near Mt Adams

The next section of trail climbs to 6000' on the flanks of Mt Adams...

We'll leave that for later in the summer when we come back again.

Return to Northern California to have an other go at the 'Bartle Gap - Ash Camp' section!

(DA had to bail from this part earlier due to excess snow.)

Back at Bartle Gap - JR joins in this time.
conditions better.... But still not perfect
GPS work still required!

Lots of fresh bear tracks -
No sign of cubs so that's a good thing!
(boot print - top left)

Walking through the meadows?
Hardly! all the meadows turn out to be Mazanita Bushes!
Worse than walking on slide alder! you don't touch bottom!
The bushes were wet so got soaking wet to boot!
(all part of the fun I guess?)

Somebody was here!... Left this cairn (Karen?) to mark the trail!
(this is exactly what we found!! great sense of humour?)

Getting easier....can start to sense the trail.....

Now lower down and out in the open...
Camp over night 2 miles west of Grizzly peak then
a pleasant hike down to ash camp and Sandy the next day.

COACHES CORNER:

When we wern't solving logistical problems and providing direct support to DA....
we were doing typical 'touristy' stuff

While Darrel was slogging up from LoLo Pass
........we took a nice, cool side trip to Ramona Falls.......
an enchanting grove on the flanks of Mt Hood

'Rhodos' everywhere - in full bloom!

A rare find... a 1950's something...... Studebaker
(we're dating ourselves by even knowing about this car!)

The 'Locks' at Cascade Locks...
(We had the opportunity to watch the whole sequence)

The generators (alternators) at the Bonneville power house
(The brown one in foreground is a rotor being rebuilt)

This is not an aquarium!...
These are Lampreys swimming up the fish ladders....
They 'suck' on to the glass to rest before moving upstream.
(the glass is the viewing window for the fish ladder system)

Fourth of July coming up!! - each flag represents a fallen veteran.
A name badge on each flag!

And the obligatory 4th of July fireworks.... These ones at 'Cascades Locks'
Not bad....need some Rx for a stiff neck afterwards!

And of course.... Not to be outdone!
CANADA DAY!!
(our 'Canada table' was all we had!)

Till the next post.......

see ya.....

943.2 miles - Snow, snow, snow and more snow!!

2011-06-30T19:43:00.000-07:00

Larry is now the support team - John and Sandy heading North to a wedding in Vancouver!

Things were looking up for awhile ( about 7 miles) and then Darrell runs into snow again.

Larry spends a day or two trying to figure out where Darrell is - and an other day getting him!

They finally re-group and head North once again to find some snow free sections.

This time all the way to the Oregon border!

"Our Father - Who art in heaven....
Please ...Please... make the snow go away...
I ask nothing more...."

Larry with his 'Lean, mean, green, pick-up machine'
Darrell's new support for a week or so!

And with Larry comes a much improved diet!!

Heading north at Burney Falls - Looks like the snow is behind us?

Looking good! ...not much snow ahead!

Dang!! snow again!!.... spend 14 hours trying to find the trail!
Finally had to give up - returned pretty much to the start!
Spend next day or so trying to get a message to Larry to come back!!

Moved North a little bit - to Ash Camp!.....Joined the troop above to 'Castle Crags'
'Mama Moab, Vagabond, Square Peg, Martin, SkyHawk & 'Utah' (the dog)

Too much snow beyond Castle Crags - move north once again to the Oregon Border..

"We will not give up!..We will not surrender..
We will win this war!!"

OK for a while now... typical Oregon trail through the Lava fields!
'Square Peg' ahead!

John and sandy back now....
join Darrell and 'Square Peg' just before Mt Jefferson!
Last stop again before another jump north....too much snow north of Jefferson!

Now north of Jefferson... Sandy helps Darrell Scout out the way!
Manage to find the route over the snowed in trail and send Darrell on his way again!

Over the hump and looking north - Looks good! Olallie Lake ahead
And very little snow!
All Right!!!

Olallie Lake and my 'tent' for the night!
beats camping on the snow!

Yes!!.....much better!

Sure hope the beavers know the difference between a tree and a log cabin!

On the trail again and on to Timothy Lake
for lunch with 'pick-up & drop-off' (J&S)
...keeping our fingers crossed!....

Coaches Corner! (J&S)

Took some Time out to attend a wedding in Vancouver - My Nephew - Scott Reinders ..

..... Great couple.... Great gal... real sweet!!

How about this for class?? .. the groom's party arrived by this 'limousine'
To the Vancouver Yacht Club
(apparently they enjoyed the ride!!)

The 'very much in love' couple!

The traditional 'Reinders' .....'Reindeer'!

Sculpted in ice!

A wedding well worth coming north for!!

While all this was going on.....

Jennifer and Nicola (or Nicola and Jennifer?)

Had their own triumphs!!

They both completed the one day 'Ride to Survive'.....

a Bicycle ride from Kelowna to Vancouver - approx 400KM!!

Good for you guys!!!
(PS - this is a charity ride so feel free to contact them about that part!)

On a final Note

Just to show how 'scre....d up' Vancouver is...

Explain this......

It's HOT in California and we don't see this....

It's COLD in Vancouver and we do!!

Right in Stanley Park...On the way to the wedding!

Go Figure!

We didn't notice what they were protesting.....
Too busy looking I suppose!

Some Housekeeping stuff:

The easiest way to get to the most recent version of this blog is to 'google' 'darrell on the pct' each time

If you save to 'favorites' you'll probably keep bringing up that version only?

By the way we appreciate your comments .... Don't forget we only have each other for company!!

It appears that comments are difficult to post??

Try these tips...

1. Click on 'comments' or 'post comments' to bring up the comment 'box' if it's not visible

2. Type in a message

3. Choose a profile (try anonymous?)

4. click on the 'preview' button (this seems to be an important step!)- look for the word recognition box Type in the word shown and attempt to publish (try again if required)

5. It should tell you that you 'published successfully'

6.If you tried to publish but it didn't work e-mail us at jreinders123@shaw.ca and let us know (at least we'll get your comments!)

Good Luck.... Drop-off & Pick-up!

748.3 miles - We have visitors!! .......friendly and unfriendly!!

2011-06-16T10:16:00.000-07:00

Darrell instantly regrets agreeing to share fuel costs.....
and.......he's concerned about the 'leg' bit!!

And the first of our visitors!!
Larry!!

Flying over Mt. Rainier....
Larry blissfully assumes this good weather is going to follow him!
If only......!

He could have had this by staying home..
Wet ...cold....and dreary!
this is California???

But there's always a way to remedy any adverse situation....
Just set up inside another tent!

Much better.... sort of warmer..... ( a little)
time for a game of 'bones'

The second of our visitors!!
Doug & Jo-Ann

Doug's got it figured out

Know's where he's going......

complete with the necessary supplies.....!!

Our first hike......just above camp..
Stopped by snow??.....go figure!

We are now north of the Sierra Nevada Mountains
......Trying to find some snow free sections of the PCT
Darrell and Larry try again at Hwy 70

The optimists.... silly people!

Soon run into tons of snow.......

Fallen trees.....no trail.....

@#*#!! ... creek crossings...with even worse conditions beyond!

And very unfriendly visitors to boot

Mr. Tick!!

So ......Mission is aborted again with a trip to the Quincy Regional Hospital instead!
Larry with two ticks to remove ... Darrell with one!

After very prompt and friendly Medical attention..
Larry gets to the important details....

What do you think Doc?.... Nice 'diamond calves' huh??
Well defined right??

Back to camp for everyone ......

"Hi everybody!!"

Check out some local attractions instead
.....The Subway Lava Tubes!

Doug & Jo-Ann at the entrance...
These things were formed when lava drained out of these tubes as things cooled down!

Sandy in the Middle..
It's pitch black down there.....
Turn off your flashlights and you see nothing!!

Some of the tubes even have 'ice' Stalagtites'....

And 'stalagmites'

Darrel and Larry try again after moving North of Mt. Lassen

Good travelling now!

Mt. Lassen behind them...

An Osprey nest..(I believe). can't see the young!

An ....Osprey nest.... 'SuperSized' ....just for PCT'rs

Coaches corners....

We're talking about the car of course!.......don't be silly!

The two musketeers tried to pull a D&D
they should've have known better.....
They paid!......

Doug and Jo-Ann
feeling strong!!

Doug and Jo-Ann after 20 minutes...??
....OK .... after a couple hours..

Finally on the PCT

Doug leading the charge!

going for it!!

These were really cool! .... not even a flower..
Some sort of fungus ...I believe!

Too bad someone didn't tell this guy!
I doubt there was much nectar to be had here!

OK ... That's not very far ..... let's check it out!

This is exactly what we found! Great sense of humour!

Must have been a premonition .... Sandy and John drowning their sorrows
Watching the Canucks....
In a casino....
in Reno...

Don't know why ....but had this inexplicable urge to turn over cars...
set them on fire.....
break windows...!!

Weird!

698.2 Miles ..... Finally sub 2000!!

2011-06-03T22:15:00.000-07:00

Darrell's turn at the rides - he was OK with this one....
.... as long as we didn't put a quarter in the slot!!

Sun Rise on the trail - Pretty nice after a windy night!

This pix was taken by 'Spitfire'.... nice job!

Sometimes it was just plain nice to be out!!

And sometimes not.... It was bloody windy
Hardly got a wink of sleep... can't you tell??

You do what you gotta do!
This water even smelled swampy...
I boiled the crap out of it.....no pun intended!

Oh ....Did I tell you about the wierd animals that come down to the watering hole??

An other windy night coming up and what did I find?
This cabin.... the angels were smiling!

Had it all to myself..
(except for mini mouse and company)

'spitfire' and 'flyby' treated to tailgate hospitality...
Hotdogs...Pork&Beans.....Buns.....Beer...Wine.....
& a trip into town to the Post Office!

End of the road for now... Kennedy Meadows!
Snow ahead and most people are bailing
Will leapfrog past the Sierras and return later.

Store keeper at Kennedy Meadows
Very Helpful...

Here's the PCT'rs store room
The store gets $3.00 a package
It keeps the store alive!

And from 'Coaches Corner'.... AKA John and Sandy

A trip to 'hot' Death Valley
(Unfortunately ... still windy)

and Death Valley's.... 'Scotty's Castle'
Built by 'tall tail' scotty without a penny of his own money!
$2 million bucks back in the 1920's!!
It's a long story.....

Our 'rig' on the road!
Red Rock State Park - ca.

and tucked into the hills!

Back at Walker Pass
Really windy! again - had to tie the rig to the car for the night!

Meanwhile....
....when you're out in the dessert with the animals...
........you get to understand their body language after a while!

"One step closer ...and you're getting a free acupuncture session!!"

" I'm so cute .......you really should share that 'cliff' bar with me!"

" Go away....just call me when dinner is ready"

"I'm telling you....I'm really..really hungry!"

And finally .... Sandy's favorite saying....

I wish I could understand 'cowgirl' talk!!

Quickie update to May 23 - as requested!

2011-05-24T19:50:00.000-07:00

Here are a few picture of the X2 - should give some idea of the size!

Hi Nyla - sorry to hear about the pinecone and your foot! ....Did you get a new foot??

Love GP

(P.S. - No I wasn't about to barf - Sandy said I would have to wash my own clothes if I did!)

554.7miles....and the going gets tough!

2011-05-23T13:59:00.000-07:00

And the 'tough'.............

..........draw on their childhood memories for solace!

When is 'Loveboat' coming on??

They 'leaved' me.... and now it's pissing!

Trail Angel to the rescue....
she couldn't do enough for PCT thru hikers!
could've stayed with her for two days!

It's not all bad.....This was pretty nice!

Finally....some real progress....Halaluia!

This was nice too ... a fully paved trail

across the Antelope Valley
Heading for the Aquaduct

Nope..... It's not oil......It's water for thirsty LA

Trail Angels come in all sizes and shapes...
These guys really 'kicked ass'
(This picture is for John Bennett)

Gave me 10 lbs of army rations and gator aid!
Sweet!!

Meanwhile ....... John and Sandy were busy too!

We had all the luck with snakes... in 550 miles Darrell saw none

In approx 20 miles we saw four or five

Here's a question.... In a battle between car and pine cone..
Who wins??

Answer?....Pine cone!!.......had to buy a new tire!

Here's their weapon of choice ...really sharp!

Here's proof that we also hiked some of the PCT

Let's play 'Find the snake!'

This guy (and an other one) was only 6" from our ankles!

and we had to walk back in the tall grass!
Sandy freaked out!

The windy Mojave has an incredible array of wind turbines!!
This was just one row of hundreds
The PCT winds right through the middle of them!

OK....OK.....Listen up!! ........ Did anyone get the address??

And then we went to 'Six flags - Magic Mountain'

We though we were going to do this ride ...'The Viper'

Accidentally got in the wrong line...
Ended up doing the Meanest..Baddest ride of all!
The...'X2'

This one!! .....the X2

Made the PNE wooden roller coaster feel like a ferris wheel!
But ... surprisingly ...we managed to keep our composure!

See what I mean..

Totally at ease!...

P.S. We did go on and do the 'Viper' also!
It was cool!

454 miles,.... Mr Luke... and the 'Phantom of the opera!'

2011-05-16T20:59:00.000-07:00

Hi... I'm Mr Luke.... I told you once!...and I told you twice!!...This is a charity drive!!
Now ...cough up!!
Mr D will explain!

heh..heh.....Rude little bast...rd ....He's talking
about this shirt....

and this shirt....

And this shirt..... 'Hope's place women's shelter' - see link in the blog!

This wasn't part of the deal!... I came down here to get away from this stuff

And they didn't tell me about this either!

Or this... The massive 2009 burn! it shut down a good part of the San Gabriel mountains from 2009 to the present.

Hallowed ground for 'trekkies' - " Beam me up scotty!" .... seems it didn't work ...
Captain Kirk was still standing there when Darrell walked by!

Sandy at the 'golden spike' (so to speak)
This was the site of the June 5, 1993 completion of the PCT

Ignore Newton at your own peril!!!
Camp under these trees and your likely to wake up with a headache
'Coulter' pine cones.... can weigh up to 5 lbs!

Taking a page out of Spain's book...
but in the Mojave desert..... Solar electricity via super heated steam and conventional turbines!
looks like an experimental set-up with two types of solar 'collectors'
Certainly was bright ...could see them from miles around!

This hill was trying to take off..... wasn't working!

Sandy and John on a side trip - The Westminster Presbyterian Church in Pasadena!

And here's why ....... A spectacular concert of five centuries of pipe organ music
including several pieces by Johann Sebatian Bach (1685-1750)
Simply incredible - well worth the drive into town!!
'Phatom of the Opera' ... but better!

Now remember what I was talking to you about!!!

342.1 Miles & Snakes!!!...Rattle snakes!!

2011-05-08T18:06:00.000-07:00

It never rains in southern California (except when it rains that is....as in...now!)

But then the SUN comes out and all is forgiven!

Crossing Deep Creek - in style! - no wading through creeks for this kid!

Trail angels - at work again! Amazing and appreciated!

At least they have the important detours marked - see you at the clown!!

Fellow trekkers at the Clown! - 'Happy Whale', 'Choho', .....and....and.......I forget!

Snakes.... I hate snakes!!.....especially rattle snakes
.This one was cute though!.... coiled up he would fit on the top of a beer can!

This one wouldn't ... he was 5-6' long ....thick around as my wrist... and totally preoccupied

We don't know how this battle ended... the snake's mouth was stretched pretty wide.....
He was frothing at the mouth .....and it looked like he had some ways to go yet!
The ground squirrel was easily 5" across and the snake was having one heck of a time dragging it up the trail.
We wished him 'bon appitit!'

211 Miles north -

2011-05-01T11:34:00.000-07:00

Coming out of the San Jacinto mountains - from a high of 8800' to a low of 1190'

lowest point on the PCT on California

(Lost the trail in the snow for a couple of hours!)

Fellow PCT'rs - 'Mountain Dew' - 'Mark & Holly' & 'Yekceb'

Sandy talking to a 'trail Angel' (brings cold beer!) - just where the PCT dips under the railway and Hwy 10

Note the wind turbines on the horizon - a common site!

Next section will be heading north to the San Bernardino Mountains - will need to regain all the lost elevation! -d...m!

A new pet we met in the campground - cute too!

P.S. Please remember 'Hope's place Charity' - see link in the blogsite!

Darrell - approx 150 miles north!

2011-04-27T15:35:00.000-07:00

Finally - off the trail at Barrell Spring - 'Miller time!!'

Freeze dried 'cr..p.' just doesn't cut it for me! I need real food'

Hiking doesn't sound like a lot of fun - THIS is more our speed!! - Yahoo !!
Sailplaning at Warner Springs! - One more check for our bucket list!
DONE!!!

This is incredible - we have so much more time available!!

Managed to carve this Eagle while waiting for Darrell to come down off the trail!
Not bad huh??

Finally - On the trail!!

2011-04-24T09:01:00.000-07:00

At the trail head - mile 0

looking north - not quite under way yet!

Still stalling

Water drop at Barrel Springs (dropped off by freinds of the PCT)

lush oak grove coming into Warner Springs

Hiking through spring flowers - doesn't get much better than this!

Met this wonderful fellow out in the dessert -very polite too!

"Good Day!..... My name is Rex .....Have you, per chance, seen Mr Luke??"

Are you hiking yet?

2011-04-17T21:02:00.000-07:00

Okay, enough golfing, get out there and start hiking!!!!!!!!!! Hey, the farmers market is now OPEN!!! Miss ya.
Nicola

Palm Springs

2011-04-16T11:01:00.000-07:00

Change of plans - We're going golfing instead - to hell with this hiking stuff!!

Actually we're at the airport picking up Mr. Magoo (Kerry) - we're hauling his ass down to Campo!

This is Darrell's hero!!!...... Doesn't that just about explain everything??

Postings will be spotty for awhile - We're at the mercy of free wi-fi

DSJ

Got your message

2011-04-15T20:55:00.001-07:00

Darrell,
missed you again. So you are at the trail head!! Well done, the next part of your journey is about to begin.
Nicola

Great to see that you are having fun

2011-04-14T20:13:00.000-07:00

Hey there,
are you on track with travel....what day is day one of PCT?
you have not missed much here, other than it snowed in Abbotsford this am

Nicola

Dancing with the fat lady!!

2011-04-14T20:01:00.000-07:00

Here's darrell doing the rumba with the USS Midway and he's having a whale of a time!!

Here's Sandy as the LSO (landing safety officer) up in the control tower - doing a hell of a job too!!

this tour was really neat - what a ship! you can barely make out the aft end of the flight deck from the bow of the ship! The command centers seem disproprtionally small compared to the size of the ship! It's amazing that they can launch and retrieve aircraft at all.

DSJ

Chores - can't get away from them

2011-04-13T19:34:00.000-07:00

Just can't help herself - give her a few minutes in a new town and she's in business!!

(intepretation?? .....Laundry day!)

Forgot to mention Darrell's harem the other day!

He's all for the one in the middle.. she's already shedding her outfit!

Staying at Lancaster ca. today....at a motel 6....typical of our low budget travel mode.

DSJ

Say hi to Clint

2011-04-12T21:02:00.001-07:00

While you are in Carmel, be sure to look out for Clint Eastwood. I think he resides there.
Nicola

Hi there

2011-04-12T20:26:00.000-07:00

Got the lawn mower running. \linda is visiting sister in England. They are off to Genera tomorrow, sister brother-inp-law lives there. Nicola is teaching me how todo this blog. Havedfun.

Rodney

Rosie the riveter

2011-04-12T20:11:00.000-07:00

Here's proof ..we made it...had our clam chowder too!

Here's Rosie - Building submarines! (we won't mention that Rosie actually riveted bombers)

Didn't get too far today - Carmel

Better get some mileage in tomorrow.

DSJ

yer right!!

2011-04-11T21:57:00.000-07:00

Me again...the one that is keeping in touch with you....hey everyone else, start following DJS's blog!!

Yes, we did ride thru the tree, probably around it and maybe over it....cant remember.

When you enter San Fran....visualize the bridge peering through the fog. That is how we crossed it in the middle of the summer!!

Hey, yesterday we did a 115 kmer on the bikes (not the motorbikes, but real bikes). Not in the glorious sun, but in the pouring rain and wind that was either a head wind or cross wind. Builds character, so they say.

Miss you 3 tons!!

Nicola

SS Point Reyes

2011-04-11T21:34:00.000-07:00

Ahoy Mates! Veer to starboard....This is the SS Point Reyes and we're sailing through!!

Hiked to the end of the Tule Elk reserve to get some great pictures!!!

Guess where we got this pix??

From the car of course..... after we got back to the parking lot

Never did make it San Fransisco today- Tomorrow for sure!

Clam Chowder at fisherman's wharf....

(Hey Nicola - did you guys ride your bikes through the tree??)

I know that tree

2011-04-10T20:38:00.000-07:00

Hey there you guys, it is me Nicola!!!!

When I saw the photo I remembered this tree. When Dirk and I biked Oregon to San Francisco, we rode by this tree on our bikes!! Think of us as you drive the coast, we biked that, it is windy and very hot!!

Glad to see you are having fun. Send postcard :)

N

The lost coast

2011-04-10T20:18:00.000-07:00

Hiked the 'lost Coast' to the 'loneliest Lighthouse' today - This fellow wasn't too happy about it!!

After that harrowing escape we thought we'd do some tacky touristy stuff

Still pretty amazing though - the redwoods have some big trees!

On to San Fransico next - gonna put some flowers in our hair!

DSJ

Northern California

2011-04-09T18:36:00.000-07:00

Crossing northern California from the I-5 to Eureka - just a travelling day - a few high passes with snow

Here's the pix that wouldn't upload yesterday - the water hike! It was much deeper in places.

Tomorrow? a redwoods hike.

DSJ

no pix today

2011-04-08T20:48:00.000-07:00

Hiked the Oregon dunes today - No one told us about the 1/4 mile of 'water' trail i.e. water (freezing water that is) up to our thighs - made it though! No one stops us! - Heading for Yreka. ca next

DSJ

Nice photo

2011-04-07T20:58:00.000-07:00

Hey, looks like you are having fun. How much wine did yo entice Sandy to have :)
Nicola

We got culture!!

2011-04-07T20:40:00.000-07:00

First stop? get some hair - Darrell went shopping for a wig - looks terrific.. now for some more culture!

Wine Tasting!! - It worked, we bought some of course. From the flying Dutchman as it turns out!

We're saving it for later - bought some $3.00 plonk for tonight.

The coast

2011-04-06T20:50:00.000-07:00

Our first covered bridge on the way to the coast! We'll look for longer ones as we go.

Sandy on the way down from Cascade Head - very nice hike - only 10 minutes of hell (oops, I mean hail!)

DSJ

P.S. Please feel free to comment - be sure to include your name or initials -

Where are you?

2011-04-06T18:49:00.001-07:00

Hey you guys, where are you? Are you hikingyet? :)

Oregon or bust!

2011-04-05T22:00:00.000-07:00

Just spent the day at Silver Falls State Park - Awesome trails - 10 of these falls in a 4 hour hike.

Off to Salem to spend the night.

DSJ

Heading out

2011-04-04T13:22:00.000-07:00

Finally heading south in the pissing rain (late of course - 2:00PM. April 4th ... but at least we're leaving on the scheduled day!) - will stop somewhere south of seattle. Next on the agenda? who knows - depends on the weather. Most likely down the Oregon coast.

DSJ (Darrell, Sandy, John)

we think you are crazy

2011-04-01T20:14:00.000-07:00

so do we

JRT

2011-03-13T20:26:00.000-07:00

By the way - Sandy and John are going also - and Kerry McG too ( P.S. - Did we say we like hiking??)

Here we go

2011-02-20T12:40:00.001-08:00

Organizing and packing may take longer than hiking the trail.