September 1, 2018 Mission Accomplished

Granny Hat and her Mobile Mission Control team didn’t quite make it to Canada but they wore their maple leaf shirts for the reunion anyway.  While fires kept the PCT trail closed for the last 30-40 miles,  Mission obtained a permit from the ranger station at Stehekin to hike north to the border on alternate North Cascades National Park trails, ending at the top of Ross Lake.  While he trekked on, Granny Hat, Melody and Brighton enjoyed beautiful drives through the Washington Cascades and some delightful visits to green, woodsy communities like Lake Stevens and Granite Falls. Mission Control’s job was to stay flexible and get within a few hours drive of Mission’s terminus. Mission reports that the less traveled alternate trails were quiet and beautiful and he saw several more bears bringing his bear sightings on the trip to 8!  Here are some of Granny’s favorite photos from the Washington Cascades trails.

Near White’s Pass

This beautiful pass was wreathed in smoke from the fires and Mission spotted this SOBO deer on his path, perhaps trying to get to cleaner air.

 

Cloudy Pass

The outlandish flowers are known as Dr. Suess flowers, even the forest ranger nearby called them by this name.  The beloved children’s author must have trekked in the Cascades and been inspired to create his famous truffula blooms. (real name is Western pasqueflower (Pulsatilla occidentalis or Anemone occidentalis)

Stehekin

This remote community on Lake Chelan is only accessible by boat or plane and boasts a bakery/cafe, a post office and a ranger station. It is nestled in between steep snow-capped peaks reminiscent of the Alps.  After obtaining his special permit to the Canadian border Mission sampled some of the bakery’s offerings including two delicious cinnamon rolls.  He told Granny Hat that his biggest regret of the trip is that he didn’t just re-supply at Stehekin with enough of the rich buttery pastries to get him to the border.

North Cascades

This abandoned mine was most likely a silver venture.  According to a National Parks Service article, gold and silver were periodically mined in the North Cascades between 1850 and 1950, mostly a tale of broken dreams.  A few rich silver deposits were found in the area but most were abandoned due to short working seasons, unpredictable weather and difficult transportation.

As Mission approached the Canadian border the moss and ferns grew thick and rain fell lightly one day.  It was quiet, not many thru-hikers and just a few short term backpackers.  His goal was Ross Lake, a long skinny lake that crosses the border into Canada.

While at Stehekin, Mission and a few of his Tramily had planned  to meet at the border, then charter a Water Taxi to the southern shore of the Lake which borders Highway 20, accessible to rides into civilization.  There were clouds of mosquitoes at the USA/Canadian border so they took quick pictures and got out of there.

The boat ride cost close to $200 so it was a good thing there were seven hikers to share the fee.  The Pacific Crest Trail might be a HYOH type of athletic adventure but these trekkers learned that every now and then you have to SWTR.

Once they hiked up from the lake to the highway, they began hitch-hiking to get back to Seattle area to catch planes and meet friends.  Mission Control was there to meet Mission, wishing we had more room in the car to give at least one or two others a ride.  While we got a bit acquainted with the hikers, one of them came back from the highway and asked the one female thru-hiker among them to join him trying to get a hitch, “we need you out here!” he said.  It is understood that if a ride is difficult to obtain, adding a ride bride into the mix increases the chances of success.

A Merry Meeting and a Picnic with Mission

 

After our picnic, Mission Control with Mission on board headed back to Ballard (Seattle) for a comfy rest at “Ballard Bunkhouse” our downtown Airbnb and a delicious dinner at Chinook’s Seafood Restaurant.

A beautiful seat by the harbor,  fish and chips, foccacia bread, salmon with peach salsa and peach slump for dessert, even Mission was full.

Granny Hat’s heart is full and her map is complete.  Thank you, each and every one, for following, praying, laughing and crying with me, adding up the miles, watching the weather and dreaming of bears.  You have made this so much fun.  Who is going to be next to take up an epic challenge that we can all enjoy from “our armchairs” as my childhood friend, Kim Kostka says it?  Mission has so many stories to tell, characters to describe and some really great “take home” lessons to share.  So keep posted!  While he heads back to Vanguard University, Granny Hat will keep sharing a few more photos and some cool, inspiring stories.

2680 MILES FROM MEXICO TO CANADA!!!

113 days, May 8 – August 28, 2018

(the extra miles are due to fire detours in all three states & the alternate route at the end)

Those LA Sportiva Akyra trail runners though!  They walked 1000 miles.  Granny Hat ordered them from REI Medford, Oregon and niece Holly delivered them to Mission in Ashland, Oregon.  The tread is still great!  He said they were the best of the four pair he wore on the trail.  A big thank you and shout out to Trail Angel Santana Bandana from Washington for helping Granny Hat choose and order them.  Mission never met her at her Magic spots on Whites Pass and Chinook Pass but she encouraged “Mission’s Mom” and her Trail Angel Facebook page is full of great information.  Moms back at home need trail angels too!

 

Ride Bride: A female hiker who accompanies a male hiker when he attempts to hitch a ride. It is thought that people are more likely to pick up a male hitchhiker if a female is with him, and that a female hitchhiker is safer if a male is with her. ( Scott Bryce, PCT Glossary)

HYOH: Hike Your Own Hike. An encouragement between hikers to hike according to your own dreams, goals, expectations, etc., and not have your hike determined by other hiker’s expectations. This is your hike. Hike it your way. (Scott Bryce, PCT Glossary)

SWTR: Share Water Taxi Rides, because it is cheaper and more fun. (Granny Hat PCT Glossary)