Day 31 ZERO

Woke up pretty early after a very restful sleep. I have never been so happy to have earplugs. Trains went by all night but none woke me.

The bus to Portland was at 10:30 so I was able to grab breakfast at Bridgeside Family Dining before heading out. The bus dropped us off at “city center” but i’ll say that was a stretch. Uber's to the Airbnb to drop off bags before heading to a hip brunch spot. The hip brunch spot had an hour wait so our group headed to REI to hear up. New shoes, water filter, and other assorted wants.

Then chipotle for a huge double wrapped burrito with all the accoutrements. Wonka and I walked around the downtown for a bit before heading back to the house and taking the opportunity to buy all of our food for Oregon at Safeway. I could tell other hikers had been through as all the pro meals were gone.

While this house was nice, no air conditioning made for poor sleep.

Day 32 505.6 - 514.5

There was a flurry of activity in the morning as everyone organized there food by where it was being sent. I'm sending food to Big Lake Youth Camp, Shelter Cove, and Crater Lake. Timberline Lodge would have been a good place to send a resupply but I wasn’t sure if it would make it in time.

Went to the post office to send the boxes off before realizing that the Shelter Cove resupply had to be sent via UPS. Off to the UPS store in the city. Chipotle was right night to that store and I grabbed two burritos. One for then and one to pack out for dinner.

The air was boiling when we got back to Cascade Locks. Enjoyed way too much soda while waiting for the sun to lower. When I did start heading up the trail it was almost 6 and I quickly became soaked. The 3700 ft of gain were no joke and I didn’t get into camp until 10.

Day 33 514.5 - 550.6

Up at 5am and walking by 5:30. I wanted to make today a big one because if I did breakfast at Timberline Lodge would be in range.

The green tunnel was in full effect today and I don’t remember too much of the day. It was hot and I walked for a long time.

Wonka and I took an alternate up to Ramona Falls which is quite nice and popular with day hikers. When we got back on the regular trail, we went the wrong way and lost half a mile.

The trail is going around Mt Hood. I never bore of these massive volcanic mountains that stand tall above everything.

The last 3 miles of the day were a grueling 2000 ft climb up to Lost Creek. Just before this climb was a stream crossing that got all of our feet soaked and primed for blisters.

When we finally got to the top, Wonka got a few pictures of me walking and that leg was on point. Very proud.

Day 34 550.6 - 574.8

Up early again. Only 5 miles to the lodge and 1400 ft up. While I was excited for breakfast, I was really happy to get into signal to video call my girlfriend on her birthday.

Was the first man in and last man out at the buffet. While it’s been talked up a lot on trail, I though my breakfasts in Idyllwild and Wrightwood were better. The buffet was missing bacon and juice!

Unable to roll up the hill, we sat around for 5 hours. Only 17 miles to camp and mostly downhill too. Before I know it, Mt Hood is getting small in the distance. I’m also noticing my new Salomon shoes aren’t working out. The soles of my feet ache, a lot.

At RD 58 was a great surprise, trail magic from Mad Baker. After that good rest I had another surprise, terrible butt chafe. That and my sore feet made me a bit grumpy.

Day 35 574.8 - 607.1

The goal today was 40. I wanted to do it to just say that I did. Looking back, I could have too if my feet weren’t in agony.

Ended the day at Olallie Lake resort where there is a small store stocked with delicious sodas. I’ve switched to cold soaking and don’t like the options I picked so soda and candy were my preferred dinner.

Day 36 607.1 - 631.8

Woke up in a cloud. Condensation had soaked my rain fly. I was tired and didn’t start walking till 6:30.

Again, I don’t remember too much of the walking besides the pain. What I do remember is the amazing trail magic from Psycho, Apricots, and OG. I sat for two hours and devoured soda, cheetos, and breakfast sandwiches.

Mt Jefferson is the volcano of the day and it wilderness is the first place I’ve been checked for my permit. I need to update mine. It’s still northbound.

Big storms started rolling in near sunset and I boogied up the 5 miles of incline real quick when I heard thunder. I knew I was punishing my luck so I set up camp a mile earlier than planned.

Day 37 631.8 - 658

A beautiful sunrise over Mt Jefferson. The weather turned quickly and soon dark clouds were pouring rain and the air was freezing. Keep walking. The sun peaked out and I was suddenly boiling.

My feet were killing me by the time I made it to highway 20.

There is an REI in Bend so I can return my shoes and grab something different and Wonka can replace his worn out Altras. Starting to hitch at 1:30, we didn’t make it back to the trail until 8. Beside REI, we grabbed a quick bite to eat. Took us an hour and a half to get a hitch from Sisters to the trail. Left my phone in the hitch. Gone forever. Low key tantrum. Walked the 5 miles to the Youth Camp muttering curses at myself.

Day 38 ZERO

Back to Bend to get a new phone. I must have good karma because my hitched were quick and safe today. The karma did not apply to getting my phone activated. Spent 6 hours trying to get my new phone activated at Best Buy.

Made it back to camp at 6 and decided not to jike out. It was a good choice because the camp had pizza for dinner. They let hikers eat with the staff. An awesome place with a dedicated hiker hut to church, shower, do laundry, and just hang out.