Pirates of the PCT...

Teddy is continuing along his PCT journey with some new gear these days. Not only has he gone through three pairs of shoes, but he is now sporting a mosquito net - he said the mosquitoes are a nightmare to deal with.

When he began the trail, he said most hikers were already wearing the net, and he looked liked the outsider... but no more - he is now among the rest of the grizzly looking hikers with the fruity hats.
You can just about see the net on their heads - Scarecrow and Not Ryan are now protected from the nasty, pesky mosquitoes, and trekking along together through this portion of the trail.

While on the John Muir Trail (which is 211 miles along the PCT), Scarecrow and Not Ryan ran into a girl named Rebecca who was hiking the JMT southbound.  They had a brief encounter and continued on northbound going through Muir Pass (11,950 feet) and onto a place called Wanda Lake.  Teddy sent me this picture from his phone of Wanda Lake - I would have sworn it was a postcard if it weren't for Teddy's pack and walking stick in the bottom corner.  This was taken at 11,400 feet.  Teddy did say that terrain higher than 10,500 feet did provoke difficulty with breathing,  which would further contribute to the decrease in mileage over the past few days.

Wanda Lake elevation 11,400 ft.

So as hikers say, "Go where the trail takes you...", Scarecrow and Not Ryan continued on, headed towards Mammoth Lakes.  But before they would reach their destination, they would need to ford a knee deep river known as Evolution Creek.  After completing that, and having some lunch, they reached Mammoth Lakes around 9:30 p.m. and then had to take a trolley to the campgrounds where they would be staying for the night.  By the time they reached their destination, it was pitch black, so they were wandering around in complete darkness looking for a place to pitch their tents.  From out of nowhere, literally, a girls voice called out, "Hey I know you guys - you are Scarecrow and Not Ryan."  The guys were perplexed, as they did not know how anyone would recognize them.  It turned out to be Rebecca - from the JMT - who rapidly finished a 211 mile trail in 12 days, and then got a ride back up to Mammoth Lakes to head home.  She said she recognized them immediately, and now calls them the "Pirates of the PCT".

So, these pirates are now headed out of Mammoth Lakes, towards Tuolome, which is in Yosemite National Park.  They anticipate arriving within 3 days, and are very much looking forward to hiking Half Dome.  This is something Teddy has wanted to achieve for 10+ years now, so I am happy this is also in his immediate future.  

I found a picture and some facts about this next venture: This is a big hike; a full ten- to twelve-hour day for most, comprising about sixteen miles round trip. Included is a harrowing 425-foot vertical climb up the nearly 45-degree incline of Half Dome's granite slope, which is accomplished with the aid of two steel cable handrails.

via google images

via google images

I am looking forward to receiving Teddy's pictures from this truly spectacular feat.  He has said that he cannot stop talking to anyone that he meets about the beauty and amazing landscape he has witnessed. And I am sure that hiking to the top of Half Dome will be no different.

via google images

Hiking Half Dome is technically not part of the PCT, but is something worth stepping off the trail for.  The picture to the right is actually a line of people hiking up the side... like a trail of ants... cool, right??

In closing, I will leave you with a picture that was sent to me today, August 14th - exactly 2 1/2 months into Ted's adventure.  The half way mark of his time away from us.  In talking with Teddy, he sounds so grateful to have been given this opportunity to experience this journey.  The kids and I agree that as happy as he sounds, we are just as happy for him and we are all enjoying this experience that we all chose to embark on....

Happy Trails Scarecrow... we love you 

~The Thruhiker's Wife~