Days 143 – 150

October 9 — day 150
Camped mile 1914.4 Maiden Peak Cabin
Hiked 21.4 miles today.
It was a hard day hiking. It was wonderful to have a cabin to myself. I didn’t light the wood stove otherwise I really would have wanted to linger.

October 8 — day 149
Camped mile 1935.8 hiked 27.1 miles today.
I woke to fresh snow and clear skies. It was very cold so the snow was like powder. It was a wonderful day of walking. I found a little campsite on snow that was warm as toast with my new sleeping bag. The night was still.

October 7 — day 148
zero PCT miles today.
Continued staying at the Bunk and Brew Hostel. Went to get some wonderful tacos at El Sancho my favorite in town. Sent out my old sleeping bag and superfluous paperwork. Got the delivery notification so I went over to REI to pick up my giant 0 degree sleeping bag Hillary had sent to me. It easily fills the pack to the brim. Of course it’s down so it will compress more. I spent the rest of the day packing and repacking. I’ll be carrying the tent body in the outside back pocket.

October 6 — day 147
zero PCT miles today.
Continued staying at the Bunk and Brew Hostel. Had a relaxing day at the hostel.

October 5 — day 146
Camped off-trail mile 1952.6 hiked 10.3 PCT + 2.5 off-trail = 12.8 miles today.
It was cold this morning but beautiful. I hiked out to Elk Lake Resort and then hitched to the REI in Bend. I picked up new shoes: Altra Lone Peak 4 8.5. Both 8 and 8.5 seemed a bit tight I went with the larger. I booked a bed at the Bunk and Brew Hostel. On the way over I stopped by Avid Cider. Got the thruhiker special of a free cider and doughnut holes. I got over to the hostel and got a bunk in an otherwise empty room so I had plenty of room to spread out. I did laundry showered and had the last of the ramen for dinner.

October 4 — day 145
Camped mile 1962.9 hiked 19.7 miles today.
I woke to snow all around the tent. It was a beautiful but difficult day walking. It continued to snow throughout the day.

October 3 — day 144
Camped mile 1982.6 hiked 18.3 miles today.
Had a wonderful breakfast of a ham and Swiss delight and blueberry muffin with coffee. I picked up the extra food I needed and freezer bags for my feet. I made a sign which worked remarkably well as I got a ride within minutes. It was a cold day with light rain, sleet, and snow. I forgot how dry this section was. I was dry as I pulled into the Lava Lakes campground in search of water. The weather was closing in so I decided to camp. A few minutes after getting into the tent the rain started. My thrift store double fleece hat is extra warm.

October 2 — day 143
Camped mile 2000.9 hiked 4 miles today.
I got down to Santiam Pass early, but it took quit a while to get a ride. Made it down to Sisters for laundry, a shower, and an excellent chili verde plate at Rancho Viejo Mexican restaurant. Found a nice public shower in a park and took my first shower since Seattle. I camped in another park in town in the $5 hiker/biker section.