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~

Request Rapidly Received!!!

Well, those laws of attraction were really strong today... I just got off the phone with Teddy - he called in from Vermilion Valley, which is 878 miles into the trail.  He has slowed down his daily mileage, mostly because of the mountain terrain, but hiking with someone else - "Not Ryan" - has lessened mileage as well.  He said they are lucky to even get double digit mileage on a daily basis.  That's okay - I am glad he has some company for now.  He has said he will probably break away and speed up once out of the mountains.
He sounds great and well-rested.  Daily temperatures are in the mid to upper 70's during the day, and down in the 30's at night.  Teddy said it is common to wake up with frost on his tent.  I guess that's better than sweating in 104 degree heat with a rash.  
He is currently walking on the John Muir Trail, which is 211 miles long and runs simultaneously with the PCT from Mt. Whitney to Yosemite Valley, California.  He is hoping to be in Mammoth Lakes in about 3 days or so. Still about 210+ miles from his next mail drop spot :(  Hope his Snickers bars are not too melted...


Wow - my request for Teddy to check in was received in lightening speed - now if only my lotto request can come that quickly.
Until next time,


~The Thruhiker's Wife

What a difference a few weeks can make...

via google images

Last we heard, Teddy was finishing up the Mojave Desert, hiking through 104+ degree weather, averaging 20-25 miles a day.  He checked in with me today from a town called Independence, which is 791 miles into the trip.  He sounded strong and invigorated while telling me about his latest accomplishments.

After leaving Kennedy Meadows, Teddy was with 7 thruhikers, all heading on the 63 mile journey towards Mt. Whitney.  You can only imagine the dynamics of 7 different people, with their own plans, hiking at their own paces, with their own expectations of this experience.  In the words of "Not Ryan", one of the hikers still with Teddy, "group travel is complicated."

* Hooray *  We finally heard from Teddy today. I was not surprised, as the kids and I just got back from our own little adventure up by Lake George, so we must have been summoning Scarecrow's spirit.  The whole time we were away, we were channeling Scarecrow's energies - from swimming in Trout Lake , to row boating, kayaking and tubing, to sitting around a campfire, to zip lining and swinging in the trees (all thanks to the Kropp family) - everything we did was what Teddy loves.  Finally we get to swap REAL adventure stories with each other...

 He has said his daily mileage has cut down to 15 miles per day, as the snow and elevations have curtailed the high mileage.  One may think, okay, no big deal, I am walking a bit slower, but that affected Teddy's food supply as well.  He resorted to his yogi-ing skills once again, and generous day hikers provided him with various snacks and food to compensate for the shortage.

And then there were 3.  Scarecrow, along with "Not Ryan", and a girl named "Bacon", emerged ahead of the rest and continued on together.  They made it to Crabtree Meadows Ranger Station, at mile 766, and set up camp for the night.  The next day would be their trek to the summit of Mt. Whitney.

I am pleased that Scarecrow caught up with these thruhikers and was able to experience this ascension of Mt. Whitney with them - "Bacon" is on the left behind him and "Not Ryan" is on the right.  I was relieved that Teddy had this company - not only for safety reasons, but to be able to share in the pure intoxication of this achievement.  Way to go thruhikers.  

The warning message in the trail books read: Whitney Trailcrest: Hazardous sections of snow. Depending on the snow conditions, ice axes & crampons may be required to cross safely.

And there you have it... Teddy is sitting at the summit of Mt. Whitney, grizzly beard and all - I am so proud of you Teddy for taking this 16 uncounted mile side trip to climb that mountain.  I am sure every step was worth it when you look out at that exquisiteness around you.




After descending Mt. Whitney, Scarecrow and his two thruhiker companions camped at Crabtree Meadows Ranger Station for another night.  They would begin the next leg of their journey in the morning.

This brings us to Monday, July 25th.  Scarecrow, Not Ryan, and Bacon headed out on the PCT still in Sequoia National Park.  Sequoia is where the John Muir Trail begins, running along the PCT.  At the northern edge of the park, the Trail crosses Forester Pass (13,180 feet), which is the highest pass on not only the John Muir Trail, but the Pacific Crest Trail as well.  I found an updated weather alert for this area:  

Forester pass:  Snow continues for a very long time. North side 100% snow for 2 miles. South side steep snow.

*WOW*  what a complete contrast to what he was hiking in a few weeks ago... first the blistering hot desert and now steep snow.  When asked which he prefers, Teddy said definitely the cold.

At left, Teddy is at the top of Forester Pass, walking stick, grizzly beard, and ice axe in hand.  The elevation will be the highest he will be along the PCT, so hopefully he will pick up his mileage again once he is hiking in more comfortable elevation levels.  

By the 27th of July, Teddy is descending from Forester Pass, hiking another 15 miles before he has to take a side trail into town for resupply.  The side trail included a 4 mile hike up to Kearsarge Pass, over and down another 5 miles before reaching Independence.  He, and his fellow thruhikers, got to eat, do laundry at a local gas station for $5 (that sounds creepy, but whatever gets him through I guess), resupply food for the next 8 to 9 days, and rejuvenate before taking the 5 mile trek back over Kearsarge Pass, and walk another 4 miles just to get back onto the PCT.  Their next destination is Mammoth Lake, which is at the 908 mile mark on the trail.  Anyone following on a map can see that it looks like just about half way through California.  And that's not even the half way mark of the PCT...

on his way down from Forester Pass

With just shy of a third of the trail completed and behind him, he said he is treasuring this experience, and consuming everything he had hoped to... he sounds strong, energized, and confident... yet strongly feels the absence of his family and friends.  I have included below Teddy's next mail drop address for anyone who expressed an interest in mailing Teddy a note of good wishes and encouragement.  He told me the last ones that were sent had a huge, positive impact on his mental state of hiking.  He will be arriving there in a week or two.  

Teddy "Scarecrow" Warren

General Delivery

South Lake Tahoe, California  96151

What a difference a few notes can make...

~The Thruhiker's Wife