‘Bending’ Past PCT Fire Closures & Homely Trail Angels – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [42]
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Day 126 (14/08) – Bending it to Bend
Was I back in the Sierras – why was it so damn cold? Also, why was my ankle in such agonising pain!
In the morning, I struggled outside. I limped to take a piss, before hobbling back into my tent of comfort and warmth. I think I had ankle tendonitis for the first time ever. It was such a strange place to get it too, but perhaps it was because of the larger distances I was covering in Oregon.
I ate breakfast whilst taking in the views. The mist over Brahma Lake was particularly beautiful. The cold can do wonderful things sometimes.
Rattler and I hiked the final stretch of 20 miles to Elk Lake, where we had to get off trail yet again to avoid a fire closure in Sisters NP. I was glad to be able to stop joking to rest my sore ankle. My strategy for tendonitis was to walk it off. ‘She’ll be right’… I’m such a typical Australian, haha!
We were immediately approached by an old couple who offered us a lift back to Bend. ‘Well that was easy‘ I softly said to Rattler. Another hiker named Tim was also interested and joined us. They drove us an hour or so to the small city of Bend to the east.
When we arrived at Ginny and Jim’s (the couple who gave us a hitch) home, they offered to accommodate us too if we wished. Rattler hadn’t stayed with a trail angel before and was a little hesitant at first before I convinced him that they probably house people all the time. The couple were involved in the PCT, as they maintained a particular stretch of the trail (which was on fire!). They understood hikers’ needs and were very kind to us.
We walked into the nearby area of the city and Rattler and I found a Ben and Jerry’s ice cream store and devoured delicious thick shakes – I had a salted caramel one. The three of us bought Ginny and Jim flowers and chocolates to say thanks for their hospitality.
As we walked back in the evening, we could see the fire raging behind North Sister (one of the mountains the PCT passes). This fire wasn’t on the side where the trail is, but it also prevented the alternative detour.
Distance hiked: 19 miles
Total PCT hiked: 1950 miles
Day 127 (15/08) – Zero Day in Bend
Sleeping into 7am was a big thing foe me. Rattler, Tim and I were really treated to have that opportunity in such a nice place. We had a few cups of coffee and then pursued our chores. I had to finalise bank issues, and reorder my new camera, which was rejected due to annoying security features. Rattler and I needed to fill out insurance claim forms on the library computers that we couldn’t do on our phones for different reasons.
I also needed to pick up an item at the post office. It turns out I went to the wrong post office, and I needed to walk a further 30 minutes to the one on the north side of town. Luckily, we passed an Albertson’s grocery store and bought a few things there for our resupply, before calling an Uber back to Jim and Ginny’s place. We like walking… just not that much!
Finally, I got to chill out and watched some Game of Thrones whilst eating a bucket of fried chicken (and a tub of salad!) which was awesome! Rattler and I did a small amount of housework to help out Jim and Ginny before all going to bed.
Day 128 (16/08) – A Long Bypass to Frog Lake
With coffee in hand – Rattler, Ginny and I had discussions about teaching (Ginny was a Science teacher too before retiring). We also talked about the Geology of the area. Rattler mentioned he was thinking of returning in a year to help out with trail maintenance, as he too just retired and wanted to return the favour to the PCT.
I received my new camera that I had posted to Jim and Ginny’s house and was immediately relieved. It felt like a loss of a relationship when losing the other one. At least I could take photos again – my phone takes photos like a potato!
Ginny gave us a lift around 2pm, and we drove the two hours to Frog Lake. Here, we bypassed the numerous fire closures and just decided to hike where there were no logistical nightmares. On the way, we passed The Sisters and Mt Jefferson, which we would normally hike right past on the PCT. This was a 134-mile skip, unfortunately! However, there wasn’t a lot we could do – nature was nature! They think that most of the fires came from lightning strikes in past storms.
Along the drive, we could see private farmland fields divided up into campgrounds for the upcoming total solar eclipse on 21/08. It was crazy how popular this was! I wish I could see it, but you need to be in Jefferson NP if on the PCT, and it’s closed from fires. I gave up on the idea and decided I’ll see the 99% version in Vancouver, Washington state at Rex’s parents’ place. This was where I was planning on going to box up my stored possessions there and resupply. It is a big difference seeing a 99% to a 100% eclipse, though.
After saying goodbyes to Ginny, we set off. I decided to do a short hike a few miles before Timberline Lodge. I camped with Tim, but Rattler camped a bit earlier.
Distance hiked: 8 miles
Total PCT hiked: 2092 miles (detouring past fires)
Next Post:
Part 43 ‘Mt Hood, Timberline Lodge & the PCT Days Event’
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