Post Hike day 0

 September 25, 1430

Once I tagged the border, I left the United States and walked into Canada. To do this you must have a Canadian entry permit that you apply for online. I have eight more miles to go to the resort area of E.C. Manning Park British Columbia. 

After 4 miles I come out to a dirt Walden Road that I will follow for four more. At one point across is this rather wide stream. About a mile from the end, the rain started again. This time heavier I put on my raincoat and continued on.

When I reached a Road, I next had to figure out what to do. There’s no cell service so I had no map. I knew there was a resort nearby and figured that’s where I was supposed to go. 

I arrived at the Manning Park Resort lodge. I expected rooms to be way out of my price range, but went in hoping to find a place to maybe shower and put a tent. Just on a whim I asked the front desk how much a room was. It was half the cost of what I had expected. It was actually right at the dollar range I had set in my mind  as a top limit, and then it occurred to me, I am in Canada. How much is that in dollars it was even less! Sold! As I got to my room and climbed in the shower I realized this is one of the best decisions I have made on trail. Freshly showered I went to the laundry facility, washed my clothes, and then the restaurant!

New York strip steak. I did the dollar conversion off of the menu price and once again oh yeah, I’m getting that.

I had prayed a few days earlier on the hike that he arranged a ride to the Vancouver airport for me. My original plan was to try to hitch from the highway, but as I walked in with my laundry, there in front of me at the desk was Truffle and Shortcut. They had stayed at a campsite with me a couple days ago, and we had bumped into each other on the trail a few times sense. Truffle lives in Canada and her friend is bringing her car and picking her up. She offered me a ride with them! God is so incredibly good!

Hiking definitely takes a toll on the body. I wouldn’t recommend it as a weight loss program, but it is very effective.

starting weight 199

Ending weight 175

My toes look like little sausages. And some of my nails are black. Everything from the balls of my feet forward are fairly numb. Hikers call this Christmas toe. The reason is typically the foot will stay numb until about Christmas time. 

My feet have grown.  I started off the trail with size 10 1/2 shoes. I ended with 12 1/2. I went through seven pairs. 

With all of the weight loss, there’s no more fat padding on the body. I have bruises on my hips from my backpack belt, bruises on my lower back with some abrasion, and bruises on my shoulder blades.

My first few minutes when I walk, I look like I’m 80. If I sit for any extended time, I have to pretty much shuffle across the floor. Walking becomes more normal after a few minutes but those first steps Oh do they hurt. 

The experience was amazing, and all the above is a small price to pay for what I did.

Day, 193 IT IS FINISHED!

 September 25

If all goes as planned, I just packed up my tent for the last time on the PCT. It is 7:10 AM and I am hitting the trail. There is only a very light rain this morning. It was that way all night as well.

I left my campsite and dropped downhill into the valley at the bottom. I began uphill toward Rock pass, although it is a light sprinkle. Moderate at times. The views are still fairly good occasionally covered in fog the wind is blowing and it is cold, but as I hike I keep meeting hikers returning from the Terminus to Harts pass, we give a congratulations, a high five, and I’m told I’m almost there. It’s an incredible feeling and puts a little bit of an extra pep in my step with each encounter. I also came across a deer standing right by the side of the Trail.

I cross over rock pass, enveloped in a cloud with very little visibility to the mountains around me. As I look down to the valley on the other side, I can see a Trail zigzagging back-and-forth.

From Rock, Pass I descend halfway down into the valley, and then immediately head up towards Woody pass

As aIcross, Woody pass I take one final moment to snap some pictures of the mountains behind me that I will not see you again. I look ahead at the trail going through the trees and wonder where I will next go

The trail leads me up to a vista point where I can look at the north cascades. It is beautiful. From this point on I am downhill.

As I descend down, I can look at a lake below me. This will be the last US lake I see.

193 days. 2653.7 miles. I arrive at the northern terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail. I have so much to be thankful for. God has been with me on this entire journey. I have felt him regularly. I’m thankful for my wife and I told her I was thinking of this trip. Her response was go for it. My children have been supportive and Josh and Alyssa have sent me the packages Nate and Eli I’ve been supportive in conversation. My prayer warriors were effective. When I made a request, I often felt a change soon after. Today’s weather is a perfect example light rain for the first half of my hike I walk, and do the Terminus with no rain. Trail angel‘s step forward to help a perfect Stranger. There is a saying that the trail provides it is very true. However, I know it is God. A special thank you to Adam, Ryan and Julie. When I came out of Kearsarge pass sick of the snow and afraid I would not find clear trail up north all three of you told me I was not done you were right.

Today’s PCT miles hiked 19.6 (+ 8 non counted into Canadá)

Total PCT Miles hiked to date 2653.7

Miles left: 0