Crossing over into Washington -2000 Mile Mark!!! Rain, Rain, Rain - RATS!

My PCT with Purpose shirt is still going strong.  I have gone through 5 pairs of shoes and only 2 shirts!

While it has taken most of the trip to go through California, it took only 16 days to go through Oregon! Of course part of it was that I didn't have my trail legs yet, but most importantly was the number of miles we had to go through to get to Oregon.  From the start of the trail to when we crossed the Oregon border we hiked over 1,700 miles. The remaining 1,000 miles are split between WA and Oregon.  Oregon's flat forrest was ideal for us to pick up our mileage and we were easily clocking in the mid 30's for most of the days. Oregon has been a beautiful part of the trail.  I loved the Three Sisters wilderness area.  It is a section of Oregon just north of the Bend area.

The trail in Oregon has been a mixture of plains, mountain peaks and valleys resembling a mini-Sierra with the peaks of Mt. Jefferson, Mt Hood and Mt. Washington to explore. The lava rock fields and the amazing waterfalls gave us a glimpse of the different types of terrain and ecosystem that Oregon has to offer. The most iconic trek we made has to be through the Eagle Creek Falls area which took us into Cascade Locks.  Cascade Locks was the final town in Oregon that we resupplied before crossing the Bridge of the Gods and entering  into Washington State.

Eagle Creek Falls area.  You hike through the tunnel and under the waterfall. 

Meeting up with old acquaintances (thru hikers)  along the way. 

After many days of speed hiking, Alex and I were able to catch up with two other hiking partners that were formally with us.  Pancakes and Nightrider had not been with us at all in Oregon so it was good to regroup and start hiking together again. 

Crossing over into Washington we saw a dramatic change in the weather.  It seemed that overnight summer was over and so was the dry spell.  We hadn't seen a lot of rain for the last two months.  That was about to end and we went through a stretch of nonstop rain for 48 hours.  Luck was on my side this time, however, because I had just picked up my resupply package with my raingear in it. Not only did I have my rain kilt, I also had the replacement hiking umbrella to help keep the rain off me and my belongings. The temperatures took a dramatic dive.  It was much colder and everything was still wet when we got up at 6am.  Instead of being dreary and gray like we expected, however, the skies would open up and we get the glimpse of the beautiful sunrises and sunsets that can be seen in Washington.

Majestic peaks on all sides.

It's time to celebrate - 2000 Miles of hiking!

I have now entered my dad's part of the country!  Go Seahawks!

I am really looking forward to being able to spend time with the Wills, Leptich, and Toft family's while in Washington.  Since we live in Ohio we don't get to see my relatives on this side of the country very often.  My great-grandmother lives in Sequim and I plan to see her when I get off the trail.  She is a young 94 years old!  My grandfather, Rusty and the rest of the relatives live in and around the Seattle area. 

Since the last post I hit the 2,000 mile marker!!!!  

Peaceful and lush forests of WA and northern OR are amazing. 

Washington has already allowed me the chance to see beautiful scenery. Everything is green and lush from the rains.  It looks as though it is painted instead of real. As far as your eye can see there is some type of beautiful greenery on the forest floor - like ferns, rhododendron or other plants.  The misty weather provides the perfect conditions for all kinds of ferns and flowers. During one span of the hike I was able to go across the Goat Rocks Wilderness and the famous Knives Edge section.  It was a foggy day with low visibility but it has been one of my favorite spots and I would love to come back again. I was hiking along a lush mountain valley and could briefly see Mt. Adams, Mt. Rainier and Mt. St Helens all in the same day. The towering peaks can been seen in all directions. 

Fog made the hike seem surreal. 

As we were hiking we approached a thick fog that brought us almost into a total white-out like condition.  The resulting experience made me feel like the place was out of a fairy tale or the foothills of Ireland. 

Goat Rocks is a place I would like to go back to in the future.

One bright spot of Washington has been a spectacular Trail Magic opportunity.Soon after goat rock we found a shelter along the trail.  There were two firefighters spending a month at the shelter and providing hot meals, drinks and fellowship to the thru hikers that passed their way.  What an amazing experience. After talking with them, I found out that the firefighters had made the trek to the cabin an annual event and they would often stay for a month to provide food and help to the hikers. I learned that some of the firefighters that had come throughout the years were 9/11 responders.  They made the trek to the cabin to find a peaceful respite to help heal some of their emotional wounds from one of the worst tragedies in our nation's history. 

Olallie Lake

A crowd of hikers soon gathered at the shelter for the home-cooked meal, night of swapping stories, and the campfire. It was refreshing to be around so many other hikers and the firefighters. I hadn't seen that many hikers since early on in the trip. The evening was a reminder that I need to slow down and enjoy impromptu moments as they occur along the way.  

Not everything in WA has been great.  A few nights ago we picked what turned out to be a bad spot to set up camp.  I woke up to a huge rat right beside my head.  There was more than one of them so in the middle of the night, we got our things together and headed out to another site to get away from them.  It was not the kind of thing you want waking you up in the middle of the night.  I am thankful we got away without them biting me or anyone else.

Our gang soon welcomed another hiker we had met earlier called"Chief" when we got to Snoqualmie.  Chief had to exit the trail due to a foot injury and after months of trying to heal he had to stop hiking. The crew and I had a great time catching up with Chief and he decided to join us for a side hike to the Hot Springs area.

It is hard to believe that I only have 13 days left on the trail. It has been an unbelievable life experience!  

In a few weeks I will be finding myself at the northern terminus!  Not ever being on a thru hike before I was not remotely aware of the challenges that I would face.  Today for example, I have planned to hike up 7,000 feet in 15 miles!  I would have never thought that I could hike that incline in the past. In the Mt. Shasta area it was even more steep, we hiked over 9,000 ft in just 3 miles!  There were some parts of the trail that I was literally pulling myself up on my hands and knees because of the incline. So far we have been able to push through and make it up the inclines without trouble.  From looking at the map ahead, we are going to have huge elevation changes and we will have to watch out for the weather as well. 

Great news!  My dad is going to meet me at the end of the trail.  It was our goal to hike a part of the PCT together and when his mCRC battle made that impossible, we set a new goal for him to meet me there!  I am thankful that he is healthy enough to fulfill that goal.

The meadows are just as lush as the forest.

I am grateful that through the partnership with the Colon Cancer Alliance more than $5000 will go toward the research for colon cancer. With more and more people contributing to research we should see a huge breakthrough in the fight against cancer soon.  My father's cancer clinic is writing a story combining my dad's cancer battle with my PCT with Purpose hike.  I am not sure if it will be on a website or a magazine.  I am happy that they chose to highlight my dad.  When I find out more about it, I will try to post it here.   If you would like to join our fundraising efforts for research please choose this link for the PCTWithPurpose GoFundMe page.  It is not too late to join us especially since the donations are matched!  

Thank you all for your continued support!  God has protected me so far on this trip and I am prayerful that he will keep me healthy till the end.

Answered prayer for the day:  Just after I finished typing the blog, I got an email with an invitation for an interview for medical school!  That is such an answer to prayer!  They originally wanted me to interview before I got off the trail and I was able to call them and it was ok to come a few weeks later.

 I am excited about the path that lies before. This journey has made me realize that I am a lot stronger than I originally thought.  It has been refreshing for the soul and one I will take with me to the next adventure in life.  

Chilling out and admiring God's handiwork.

Washington has lots of mountains that are spectacular and difficult to climb.

Crater Lake from a few weeks back when I had the migraine headache. 

The Purpose - revisited

I thought it would be good time to go through some of the reasons that my hike, PCT with Purpose was started.

"A voice is calling, ‘Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness…’ "             

-Isaiah 40:3-5

In the stillness of the wild we often reach into the depths of our souls. Sometimes, in those moments, we encounter something deeper within. In Kings 19:13 and 14 an angel told Elijah to go to the mountain top. Elijah obeyed and hoped to hear from God. He anticipated God to show himself in a miraculous way, but instead of appearing to him through a powerful wind, an earthquake, or a raging fire, God appeared to Elijah in a still, small voice.

Like Elijah, I went out into the wilderness in Glacier National Park and heard a small whisper, “Go (into the wilderness)”. 

Many of the people who enter into the wilderness go searching for something. Many think that it is something inside themselves. What I and many others have realized nature is our cathedral, and our hearts and souls feel most at home in creation. 

In addition to my call to my call into the wilderness, PCT With Purpose's goal is to raise money and awareness for colon cancer and research. The primary beneficiary of my fundraiser will be a great organization that has held a special place within my family, The Colon Cancer Alliance. The Colon Cancer Alliance is the leading patient advocacy organization for colon cancer and has received an outstanding rating from Charity Navigator.Org, Rating Information  . To donate to the CCA and my trip please click on this link to the gofundme page. PCT w purpose gofundme

The Colon Cancer Alliance foundation is built upon three pillars: Prevention, Research and Patient Support. These pillars materialize in the form of patient advocate, screening, providing funds for cutting edge research and emotional support the families effected by colon cancer.  For those of you who want more information, testimonials or to directly donate to The Colon Cancer Alliance, please click on link provided: The Colon Cancer Alliance. 

Please help me accomplish my goals to raise research funds and awareness for colon cancer, for missions, and to complete this long journey through the Pacific Crest Trail.