pctblog by OneStep… Linda Rostad

MPS: 2317.4

MPE: 2330.8

MHT: 13.4

It rained most of the night. The sun woke me up just after 6. A hot breakfast got me going while I packed up. My tent was damp and went on the outside of my pack, than I was on my way. A short time later I was down to my low point of 4100 feet at the Bumping River. The crossing was easy using rocks and logs. I started back up the other side to meet the low clouds. Near Crag Lake I passed a group going south with llamas.

 Llamas above Crag Lake

Views were limited all the way to Dewey Lake because of the low clouds. Wet bushes and a muddy trail keep my feet wet. I wore my rain pants most of the day to keep my pants dry. Otherwise, the weather was good for hiking. I did not get to see Mount Rainier. There were two campsites left when I got to Dewey Lake at 5:15 PM. A ranger was present and he directed me to a campsite near the outlet – I was not going back to the other site south of the lake! A breeze dried my tent, pack cover, and other damp clothes. I had a nice view of the lake and no neighbors.

 Dewey Lake from my campsite.

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MPS: 2304

MPE: 2317.4

MHT: 13.4

 OneStep… at White Pass

My friend, Loretta drove me to White Pass from Seattle. On our way through Packwood, we picked up Brit and Joker and gave them a ride. They were off and that was the last I saw of them. I followed a few minutes later in a light misty rain. It felt good to be back on the trail. The trail climbs steadliy up from White Pass. I had a late lunch in some trees at Sand Lake. Everyone I met going south were heading home with complaints of being cold and wet. It did not take long for my feet to become wet. There were no views as I walked by many fog covered lakes. My plan was to walk until 6 so I started looking for a sheltered spot to camp just after 5. I came to a significant stream crossing with two wet logs going across. They looked too slippery to me so I found a place to ford and just walked across. It was 6:20 PM and I was ready to stop. I found a good spot for my tent, enjoyed a warm dinner, and finally drifted off to sleep listening to the flowing water.

 Wet logs across a stream.

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I am packing for a two week hike on the PCT! A friend is going to take me to White Pass next week where I will head north. My plan is to hike 175 miles to Union Gap just north of Stevens Pass. An early fall storm is raging outside. I hope the weather will be better soon.

Right now my PCT mileage is 766 miles completed. With this hike I have a chance to reach 945 miles. Oh to do more, but I need to be realistic. My knee is better and my energy level is good. And next year I have more miles to look forward to.

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  North Cascades National Park Sign

A five day RV trip on the North Cascades Loop allowed me to hike on the PCT three times. My husband, Steve and I left Monday morning with our two dogs, Roxy and Sammy. Our route took through Darrington, then along the Suiattle/Sauk River to Rockport where we headed east on Highway 20. Just east of Rainy Pass, we stopped at the PCT parking lot allowing access to the PCT going south into the North Cascades National Park.

Tuesday we were back at Rainy Pass to hike north to Cutthroat Pass. There was a Border Patrol car parked at the trailhead. We started in the sunshine, but clouds soon moved in helping to keep the temperature cool. As we circled the upper basin for the final ascent, Roxy started barking at an approaching hiker. He was a border patrolman. She made the right choice returning to me when I called. Once our dogs were on leash, another patroman appeared with a big rifle across his chest. They were a long ways from the border! We chatted for a few minutes then continued on our way. We spent a short time at the pass before returning back o Rainy Pass. I got another five miles on the PCT and I had no trouble moving up the trail with a ten pound pack.

 Steve with Sammy and OneStep… holding Roxy.

Wednesday was a travel day from Winthrop to Leavenworth. Thursday we drove past Lake Wenatchee to the White River trailhead. It was hot and humid. This is part of the official detour around Glacier Peak. About a mile up the trail Roxy startled a golden brown bear eating berries along the trail. I saw the rear the the bear retreating up the trail and into the woods. That was exciting! We stopped at Boulder Creek, four miles up the trail. On our return near the end there was a fresh pile of bear scat. Within two minutes, I saw the rear end of the same golden brown bear moving off the trail.

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My rescue and last days of hiking before the rescue have been posted below. I have been off the trail for a month now and I miss it terribly. Every day I check the progress of my friends. I look forward to providing some trail magic once they get to Washington.

The good news is my health is improving. I have had a follow-up blood test and my numbers are improving – still too low to be normal yet! Next week I will do some day hikes and maybe next month a short backpack on the PCT. Right now it is “One day at a time…”

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I have been home for two weeks – what’s taking so long?! I dropped my computer in Independence and had to ship it off for repair. Another home computer crashed. So… I bought a new computer that has taken some time to get set up. My photos are now on this machine and I have started getting photos ready to upload. Just a couple more days of photos to get through and I’ll be ready to post. I have drafts of my missing days ready to go once I get the photos done. There are just too many distractions here at home. All of my boxes have been returned which require sorting. And the list goes on. I may return to the trail as I am feeling normal again. When and where is still up in the air. I would like to walk to the ALDHA-West meeting at Lake Wenatchee and that starts September 19th.

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I am sad to report that I am home. I left the trail on Wednesday, July 2nd because I had no energy and felt light headed. I am adjusting to being off the trail. I hope to have the details of my final days on the trail posted soon. It will take some time for me to heal and have strength to hike again this summer. I will return to the PCT as a section hiker next year.

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MPS: 889

MPE: 893

MHT: 4

 Looking down to Tully Hole where I camped.

I awoke at 8:00 AM feeling better again. I wandered around the nearby meadow to find a satellite signal to call Wendy. I found out that a horse rescue would cost about $800.00 and take ten hours to come get me. I decided to hike to Reds Meadow Resort. I packed up and started the 900 foot climb to Lake Virginia. It took me two hours to go the 1.9 miles to the lake. I rested at the lake and had something to eat. I was feeling lightheaded and did not have much energy.

There was another ridge to climb and then down to Purple Lake. Looking down at Purple Lake, I realized I was going to need help. I pulled out my American Alpine Club emergency rescue card. I should have done this yesterday, but I just did not think I was that sick. My call for help by satellite phone got dropped twice while I arranged for a rescue. I continued down to Purple Lake and set up my tent in a do not camp here place. I did not have a choice as I could hardly move. I took a nap.

 Hikers watch from the trees our departure.

Around 5:00 PM I heard a helicopter fly over the lake. I took a look. It was circling around the lake with someone hanging out the side door. I waved when they got close. The lake was surrounded by trees so I did not think they would be able to land. A couple hiking by helped me pack up my stuff. The helicopter was able to land on a small grassy patch above the lake around the corner from me. Two California Highway Patrol guys (with guns!) walked down the trail towards me. I was very happy to see them. I was walked over to the helicopeter. After a discussion of weight – me and my gear, it was decided that I could take my pack with me. I sat on the floor behind the pilot, Mark Uhlenberg. Helicopter Flight Officer/Paramedic, Marty Martain clipped himself in and sat by the open side door. We took off in front of a group of hikers watching from the trees. These guys were great. I never once felt afraid while we flew over what I had hoped to hike.

 Putting the helicopter back together after my rescue.

We landed in Mammoth Lakes where we were met by Bill Greene from the Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue. I had declined an ambulance ride. Bill was coordinating my rescue. I found out there was a group hiking to Purple Lake to spend the night with me in case the helicopter was not able to land. He took me first to Motel 6 to check in where I left my pack. Then I went to the Mammoth Hospital Emergency. I was dehydrated and my stomach was bleeding from ibuprofen irritation. My blood was lacking enough oxygen to hike with a full pack, especially at 10,000 feet. I spent the night.

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MPS: 883

MPE: 889

MHT: 6

 Unkown peak northwest of Silver Pass reflected in a pond just below the pass.

I felt much better in the morning. We slept in until 6:00 AM to allow the snow to soften on both sides of Silver Pass. I easily got to the pass where I had a second breakfast. There was snow on the north side of the pass that was easily negotiated. Going down was easy for me. The pesky mosquitoes kept breaks short. Down does not last for long and the trail starts to go up. Suddenly I don’t have any energy and my stomach is unsettled. I made it up to Tully Hole and could not go any further. I found a campsite and set up my tent.

Tailwinds is concerned. She calls Tahoe Mike’s assistant, Wendy and asks her to find a horse packer to come get me. I have a satellite phone and she is able to get a signal for the call. It is mid afternoon and I convince Tailwinds to go on. Afterall, help is on the way. I sleep most of the afternoon vaguely aware of other hikers going by on the trail. I eat a hearty meal at dinner and go to bed early.

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MPS: 877.2

MPE: 883

MHT: 5.8

 Looking south from our campsite below Silver Pass.

I boarded the 9:00 boat that will take me to the east end of Edison Lake. It feels good to be going back on the trail. The 1.4 mile access trail follows Mono Creek to the PCT. It is a 3175 foot climb to Silver Pass. The trail crosses the North Fork Mono Creek and immediately starts to climb. I ate lunch and realized lunch was not happy in my stomach. There was another crossing of Mono Creek followed by many switchbacks going up along Silver Pass Creek. I started having problems with energy here.

At the top of a beautiful waterfall the trail enters a valley. By now I am hiking just with Tailwinds. Everyone else has gone on at a faster pace. Both of us were frustrated with our progress. And… the mosquitoes were horrible! I had zero energy and was having trouble with my breathing. We soldiered on to a higher valley below Silver Pass. It became evident I needed to stop and make camp. We found a place off the trail near meadow streams. It was a beautiful place, but I was too sick to care. I took a nap and felt better an hour later. I ate dinner of sorts – vanilla pudding and hot chocolate. My stomach was still bothering me. I had no trouble falling asleep.

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