With the recent rain and fog I’ve not seen much of Mt. Adams. That is until today as it recedes in the distance.

Not much to see. It’s been cloudy and rainy the past three days. The forest has been shrouded in fog as I hike in the early morning. As a result I’ve not seen Mt. Adams, but the wildflowers have been lovely.

As I approach the end of my journey I am finding that I’m willing to accept my equipment and its flaws. The net on my tent has been getting holes and I’m just repairing them with tape. My rag pull string broke several weeks ago and I just attached it with a safety pin. My pant cuffs are frayed and worn, but they are good enough to get me these last miles. Overall I am making do with what I have.

At about mile 2202 and 10:30 AM as I was hiking north here comes Scott Williamson south. Scott is a very fast super hiker whose name is well known in the PCT hiker circles. He is hiking 45 miles a day and again trying to set a speed record, but he explained that the wildfires in California might cause him to slow down or not make it at all.

Yesterday a mouse ate a hole in my tent netting. Then it ate a hole in my garbage bag. I patched the tent with bandages. I would have used adhesive tape, but I had given my tape to Matthew.

At the end of my hike today I ran into Nobody’s Friend. Unfortunately he hurt his knee and had to slow down and take time off to recuperate, which allowed me to catch up to him. We camped together and I told him about my hiking with Matthew (AKA Watson) and he told me about how he got hurt. Also it rained.

Update: I missed meeting him at the end of the day so it seems that the reunion was short lived. Too bad because I enjoy his company.

Dad *Open after mile 2168.0

Dad (AKA Tartan),

I told you on the trail, but I want to make sure you truly know how much this trip has meant to me. I will cherish it. I will look back and know it made me a better person and man for doing and accomplishing it.

A few sayings have stuck with me recently and I want to share them with you. First, “when you’re going through hell, keep going.” I’ve been going through a lot of hell in the last couple of years and it just goes to show, this journey as a microcosm, that there is a better side… that there is good around the corner if you just keep going. So when you’re going through hell on the rest of this journey, just keep going. Your family will always be there at the end supporting and loving you.

Second, “if the wind won’t serve, take to the oars.” You have set this example for me my entire life. It took me a while to get it, but I do now and every time things get challenging I “take to the oars” and work harder. Your journey just goes to show that there is nothing anyone in this world can’t accomplish if they just work hard for it when there is no wind.

Finally, “I Love You!” You are my hero, my friend, my supporter, my confidant, my provider, my rallying cry… my dad. I wrote in my journal tonight and want to share with you this… “I got through. My dad got through. We took every step together and I will take every memory with me for the rest of the steps I take in my life.”

Thank You! Love You! Good Luck!

Matthew AKA Watt’s son

Finished 462 miles of Oregon. Crossed the Columbia River on a grated bridge. Didn’t look down.

Matthew and I arrived in Cascade Locks only to find my resupply packages not at the trail angel’s house. I assume he never picked them up from the Post Office. Unfortunately we arrived on Saturday and the PO is closed on Saturday and Sunday. So I had to take a zero day on Sunday with Matthew. It’s now Monday and I’m waiting for the PO to open at 8:30 AM. This means I’ll get a late start hiking today and won’t get my full 18-20 miles. BTW, there is a high heat advisory for 90-100s today and I need to climb 4000 feet out of the gorge.