We’re deep into Lassen National Park, a place famous for its volcanic features. During the day, we passed a steaming vent, the smell of sulfur heavy in the air, and a boiling lake of mud. I’m sure Lassen was stunning back in the day, but burned as it is, it’s a shadow of its former …
The sound of cows woke me from my slumber. I didn’t fancy getting caught camping on private land, so I quickly packed up and disappeared into the woods. I found Doug and Kevin, the friendly Canadians, sitting on a log. Doug offered me a cup of coffee. Usually I’d say no as I don’t drink …
Our alarm rang at 3h30. By 4am, we were on the move again, through the darkness of the morning. Our breakfast spot on the ridgeline gave us a beautiful view of a dark orange sunrise. The straggly, burned trees in the foreground gave the whole thing an ominous tinge. More walking through the burn today. …
A heatwave was starting today, because of course it did. I could take it. We’d start the day doing a 7000 feet climb. Such joy. Stinger’s mom drove in around 8h30 and brought us some trail magic. Mouse and Stinger had come with her to the Caribou Store where we camped last night. I was …
The vast majority of the days on trail are nothing but filled with adventure, excitement and laughter. The rest of them, a very small minority, are crushing, heartbreaking and make me want to shut the world out. Today was such a day. Half and Half hugged us goodbye in the morning and set off with …
Due to the escapades the previous day, we were closer to Buck’s Lake, a tiny town next to a lake, than anticipated. A brisk race up to the top of the climb and a little roadwalk later (Fitz hitched, Mash and me didn’t, our continuous footpath is holy!), we got to Buck’s Lake. Animal Planet …
2000 km of hiking! What a stupidly long distance and I’m not even halfway. I found Eschi after the first climb, his ever mischievous look glimmering in his eyes.‘You just missed Half and Half by 20 minutes. You’ll catch her for sure.’So I continued on. After breakfast, I got to our first break spot. Eschi …
Merlin, Marble and IPA are behind. Half and Half, Lavalamp and Lucky Charm are ahead. That leaves Mash, Fitz and me in the middle. The chase for the front group is on! Or at least it would be if we could get out of bed and start before 7. Which didn’t happen. At noon we …
I awoke in the middle of the night. Half asleep I think: ‘Why does my tent smell like a music festival?’ Someone must have made a campfire, I eventually conclude and go back to sleep. In the morning however, things turned out to be quite different. The whole valley and the woods were covered in …
Woohoow, it’s the 4th of July! Which means.. absolutely nothing to non-Americans. Even less so if you’re on trail. Nothing much happened today. I was flying across the trail. It’s striking that I’m still getting stronger and faster, even after this long. Half and Half mentioned she was watching Cars in her tent last night, …
