I made this one at home: cowboy method filtered thru gold filter strained out the rocks. Such a great tasting cup of getup.
Sunday I stopped at the Mercantile on the way out of town. Eugene presented me with an opportunity to help a road rider by asking me if I would drive a overuse damaged woman back to McKenzie Bridge north of town and a long way back to Bend. I agreed to drive her. Grace is her her name. She rode w/ a group of guys and worked to keep up w/ road racers on a heavier than my mountain bike and stressed her knees preventing her from the return ride. She has been around and studied the body mind connection. Amazing young woman, She gave me her phone number. Unfortunately she went her way and I went mine.
I drove scenic rt 242 that climbs over McKenzie Pass. Narrow, nothing on the far side of the white line. Tight corners. Plan is to hike north on the PCT from the pass like I did in ’78. The trail covers a large lava flow. Trail is hacked out of basalt and is littered w/ cobble. I chose my Lowa boots for break in plus footbed support from rocks.
I hiked across the lava field w/ intention to climb Belnap crater which failed because I did not allow enough time for the round trip. I hiked back thru the field again (no Choice) and spent the night at the TH right off the highway. So enjoyable to camp out in forest.
Monday I stopped and rode Maston before arriving in Bend. I am riding w/ more confidence and reservation. Dry dusty trail but nobody to dodge. 13 miles is sufficient testing for me.
My back is and was still acting up. I scheduled a massage for Monday afternoon at the same location where Dave, the elbow PT, works. Austin continued the elbow method on my back. Very uncomfortable, painful is a safe word. He worked me for over an hour. Muscles were very knotted. I did experience some relief. Still not pain free.
At 6PM Monday I had an appointment w/ a La Pine builder to talk house construction. We met at my land. He spent time telling me about the quality of his building and nothing about design. He did give me recommendations.
I drove part way to Willamette Pass in preparation of an overnight on the PCT heading S towards Diamond Peak that I intended to climb. I chose a logging road leading off the hard road then a smaller road and found a smaller side road and parked. Quite night: still warm.
Tuesday I finished drive to Pengra Pass where I would pick up the PCT. I packed my pack and shouldered the load and headed S. Deep forest cover of mtn hemlock w/ nary a sky view. I used Halfmile’s trail map which is a GS map w/ the trail depicted. He added water access and camp spots noted. In OR the PCT stays below the peaks. Numerous small lakes and tarns are present. He noted water sources in some cases were snow melt fed streams which were all dry I discovered. I picked a lake closest to where I would camp for sure water. I hiked down to it and filtered my (2) 2 liter Platypus bottles that are to last for fixing dinner, drinking, cleanup, breakfast, and cleanup to have enough water to climb 2,000′ to summit. I made water last but not enough for the climb. I packed up and headed back. I don’t drink enough water.
Before sundown I noticed an incredible cloud build up north of me.
Before dark it blew apart.
No precip to feed the shallower tarns caused them to dry up which had an effect of mosquitoes as there were none. This one had water.
I hiked back to my van then drove back to Bend. A shower cleaned the dust off.
I emailed Cascade Design, makers of therm-o-rest self inflating pads, asking questions about how durable their pads are as I did not see thru hikers carrying them. Response was pads have held up well. She shared the pad she uses which is a NeoAir All Season. I checked it out: 72″ long and 2.5″ of loft weighing less than my old ’01 pad. I’m in. REI doesn’t carry it. I checked out another store and scored one. Takes about 22 breaths to inflate. I laid on it on the van floor sparing it of the pokey things on the ground where I camp. Bliss.
This year I have spent bike money on backpacking upgrades in my tent, boots, and pad. My intent has been to hike what I missed on the PCT. I have been testing my body and mind for this endeavor. The tent is great, the boots and a modified stride seem to avoid most of foot pain. Pack is heavy. I weighed it after my trip w/ little variable weight in food and fuel and water: weighed 30 pounds. Food is figured to be 2 pounds per day. Add fuel and water and do the math for how heavy my pack would be to hike 10 days. Dunno. Pretty big bite for not a hike hardened body. I might have old folks boogie: the brain makes promises that the body can’t fill.
On this last hike I encountered 4 thru hikers heading north. Amazing: hiking in trail runner shoes and full sized packs w/ hardly anything in them. Light weight covering miles per day w/ few comfort items. I prefer my chair and cooking “food”.
Presently the PCT is detoured around Holden area because of a forest fire. My plans might be altered.
Yesterday I dried out my gear and stowed it in my cramped van. At 4PM I had an appointment at the title company to sign papers for my land. Sunriver: tourist mecca. Signed papers in exchange for 2/3’s of purchase price, owner carries contract for balance. I will own it outright next month.
I drove back to Bend and 10 Barrel. I sat outside trolling for an audience. A woman walked by me w/o greeting. She returned , walked by then turned around and asked me if I was the van guy. Yes, I said. She said that she has met me in Cable, WI and Sedona. We chatted awhile. Nobody else came close to sitting in the empty chair beside me, must have been because I was in full hot sun is what I think.
I have been working the PT exercises strengthening my shoulder. Yellow band hard. takes work.
Today in a little bit I will ride from here on my Shevlin Park loop.
Monday is a PT session. I have made no future plans. I am mixing in backpacking w/ my riding. My hope has been that my shoulder would be strong enough to train on Bend’s trails which will prolly anchor me here a bit longer. easy living.