So, Icebox It Is

Day 25PCT Mile Marker 1313.04 – 1328.84

Miles Hiked 15.8

I had to pee. The moon was awake and crazy bright. I crawled out of my tent and tried to stand, but almost fell sideways. I tried again and got really dizzy. I felt like I was super drunk. I had to put my hands on the ground to slip one foot at a time into my shoes.

Exercise Hangover?

Some more fast crazy hiking in the morning brought me to a couple of small and easily passable snowfields. Nevertheless I would holler at Dogman, “Don’t do it! It’s treacherous! Don’t risk your life!!” And then he would walk across the snowfield and carry on.

Then I reached the PCT Midpoint. This monumental place…this place that means so much to so many people…is just a humble little concrete post in the wilderness. It wasn’t the mid-point of my journey, but I’d been daydreaming for years of being in this spot.  

So I ate some food.  

And I signed the trail journal with my new name. “ICEBOX – Thru-Hopeful – NOBO – FLIPFLOP”. Boring, I know, but it left room for people to sign who actually have this as their midpoint.

So, Icebox it is.

I told Dogman that yesterday meant a lot to me because I got a name, it was the most miles I’ve ever done, and I didn’t cry even once. Success.

We basically ran down the mountain and got to his truck by 3:30. 

My toe was aching pretty badly but I was in great spirits.

I got to meet Sean’s awesome wife Kari. I did laundry, took a shower, and charged all the stuff. We went out for Mexican food and then to a brewery.  

I had a beer called 1325, which commemorates the mileage midpoint of the PCT. And then I had another.  

Double Celebration.

And then I could barely stay awake. 

So we went back to their house and I passed out in their fifth wheel trailer.

Happy. Well-Fed. Feeling loved.