Ashland

7/21

I ended up taking two zero mile days in Ashland. It is a beautiful place with a thriving music scene and some really excellent little shops in the down town area. 

There was a slackline in town that we have been mailing down trail and it served for an excellent time in triangle park.

Many thanks to Annie for being so kind with her hostel, and to Fireweed for the ride back up to the trail this evening. I hiked about 3 miles out from the road and am ready to get the miles in tomorrow morning!

Here we go Oregon!!

-Luke

 

Ciao to California.

7/18

 

An amazing day today. Started a little slow but things got moving once a couple large climbs were out of the way. 

I didn't know this would be my final day in California. I had actually planned to camp 10 miles earlier than I did. So another 35 mile day today. Feeling strong, and only need to put 23 miles in tomorrow to cruise into Ashland. 

Lint and I caught up with Hike-a-While and a new hiker to me, Oakdale. We hiked with them for about 12 miles to the border and beyond.

So I am camping in Oregon tonight. Loving it. 

Right before the border was this decrepit wood cabin. Naturally I went inside even though its leaning heavily down hill.

Ashland tomorrow for a well deserved break. 

-Luke
 

 

 

 

 

 

Climb climb climb

7/17

Lint and I decided to hike on from Seiad Valley tonight despite the awesome RV park with an air conditioned hiker hang out. The reason we wanted to leave was the 5000 or so foot climb out of the valley. If we left tomorrow morning it would be blazing hot before we were half way up. So we hiked more than half of the 8 mile climb starting at 7:30 pm and we put a triumphant cap on a 35 mile day with a town stop fit in the middle. 

It's almost 10 pm and I am tired.

I guess Seiad wanted/wants to be its own state? 

First spring coming out of Seiad.

Stuff in a bag.

 

 

 

Final town in California

7/17

Well, I can't believe it but I am here in the final town of California. Wow. An amazing amount of effort has been put in to get me this far and there are still just over 1000 miles left to hike. 

Lint and I put in 30 miles today before 4 pm today and strolled down the highway to the tiny town of Seiad Valley.

 

 

 

 

 

Following the tracks of Anish

7/16

Lint, the Germans, and I left from Etna around noon today. We had a late sleep and then breakfast, and the pack shake down I posted about earlier.

Autobahn packed out a 25 oz. Rolling Rock for 7 miles! The extra ounce is free...

The Germans love their beer.

 

Lint and I ended up hiking out ahead of the Germans, but I plan to meet back up with them in Ashland. Lint had been hiking with a female hiker Anish for the past few days. Anish is currently trying to set the speed record on the PCT and is averaging 45-50 miles a day... The 25 miles Lint and I did after noon today probably seemed pretty low key to him. Her shoe prints were still visible in the dirt and I'm sorry to have missed her while I was in town.

We are crushing miles and my pack is the lightest it's ever been. 

Great views of some epic valleys as well.

Are these orchids?

 Okay. Take care all. Love to the family.

Luke

P.s. If you are reading please check out my charity fundraiser @ hike4hope.org. We are only about half way to our new goal and it would be awesome to get a little closer!

 

 

9 pound base weight!!

A hiker named Lint arrived in Etna last night. He is a double-triple crowner... Meaning he has hiked the pct, cdt, and at twice each. These are all of the major long trails in the United States. 

His website is @ linthikes.com

This morning he gave my pack a shakedown to help eliminate unnecessary gear. 

He helped me get rid of my long underwear bottoms, down jacket, extra bandana, gloves, balaclava, and a few other redundant items of gear. This package that was mailed home today weighed in at 1lb and 13 ounces. That brings my packs baseweight down to just around 9 pounds and completes my goal of getting under 10 pounds before I reach Oregon. I am truly an Ultra light hiker now!  

Stoke level is very high. Oregon is coming in less than 5 days.

 

Etna!

Today we hiked into Etna.

The morning included a 1000 foot climb where we realized at the top that we weren't on trail so we came all the way down and then hiked the 1000 foot climb on trail across the highway. I think it was a good sign that my mental lull was temporary when I thought that the off trail climb was pretty fun and a good bit of extra exercise.

Today was a good day, and Etna is treating us well.

So full.