Mt Whitney Zone Forums The Chat Room Brett's PCT Adventure

Steve, did you sign up for the PCT_L? you have to, to use it.
Go to this page:

http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l

Yep. Signed up. Confirmed the email it sent me. Then re-sent several messages. ...nothing. I've emailed "brick at brickrobbins.com"


Edit: Got an email from the list moderator Brick Robbins:
Patience grasshopper. New list members are moderated by default. your posts have been approved.

Yep, your 4 posts are there.....

My understanding is that they're thinking of continuing the hike South from Skykomish. Would it be reasonable to identify in advance the possible exit points in case they run into unbearably difficult conditions again? If so, does anyone know what those exit points are?

Well, that would be tough to pre-second-guess what they'll find and they'll do.

And it would take lots of time to research every possible trail exit. In both the special situations earlier, I made a number of phone calls to Forest Service people to get more information on the side trails they were on.

Once the group is on the trail, there is no way to communicate anything to them anyway.

Emma (Spyder) wrote a note in Facebook that she's back in Stehekin. She is the woman who the group left behind along the way.

Their Facebook conversation:
Emma: Glad to hear you made it! I ended up back in beautiful Stehiken...
Brett: Excellent! We were worried about you!
Emma: I got a little lost ....
Brett: Omg we did too. Gps was a saving grace.
Emma: Yeah I lost your GPS inspired tracks....and Suiattle Pass.....and the will to camp in the RAIN at 6000 ft....
Brett: We wandered all over that place for 5 hours in white out conditions. You were smart to turn back...
Emma: The fog was so thick I was having trouble reading my compass!
Brett: We followed the arrow on the gps which meant bushwhacking and going through some very treacherous snow slopes was not fun.
Emma: I think I found a few of those myself! I also found some BLUE glacier snow!

Good thought, Dan. A good start would be Yogi's guide, or even the official PCT guidebook. There are a number of online resources, such as Postholer, although the administrator, Scott, has agendas, and is somewhat of a jerk to anyone with whom he doesn't agree.

I think it was Yogi's Guide that they have, that shows the Sulphur Creek Campground down the Milk Creek Trail. It led them into a closed road problem.

So who can you trust?

I received Brett's first set of pictures via camera chip in the mail today, mailed from Stehekin on Lake Chelan.

Here's the link: PCT 2010

At the border. Note the narrow cleared line between the trees.

In case you're interested, Adrienne now has some nice water colors she painted on the trail posted to her blog. See Adrienne's Blog

Dan the post you wrote on 7/5 is good. Maybe you could copy it here.

I like her paintings too. This one of people using their ice axes and climbing a steep snow slope is cool.

Wow what an epic. I just read the whole thread start to finish today. That is quite a story so far.......
Steve,
Tough being a father and wondering and standing on the sidelines only.I can imagine the helpless feelings at times along with the million questions running through your mind.

Well, it's not that tough, Rod. He's a big boy, can take care of himself. But I do want to give him support if I am able from here.

Big change today, though. The group of four started out at Stevens Pass southbound. Brett lasted about 7 hours. He's bailed again due to more snow than he wants to deal with. He says he fell a number of times, postholed a bunch, got a slight injury. At about 4 PM, he descended down to Hwy 2, and my daughter Stefanie is heading to the Dinsmore's to pick him up.

I guess the other three are going to stay on the trail. I hope Brett can find a point on the trail to put in some miles.

I know he is a big boy and can take care of himself. I guess for myself that I would feel a certain helplessness feeling of not being able to know exactly what is going on and being out of communication so often.As I read this thread I kept thinking about how little or missed opportunities there were for Brett to let everyone know what is happening.Good thing he is young.I love his nick name and map reading skills using an altimeter. That impressed the hell out of me. Did you teach him that skill Steve? Made me think about "what if" I had attempted the PCT when I was young and healthy.Ah all the "what ifs" of our lifes.
Good luck to Brett and his adventure.

Well I just returned home from my 4 hour trip to pick up Brett from the Dinsmore's. We made it home safe and sound back to Oak Harbor. Not sure what Brett's plan is from here, he mentioned something about watching the snow conditions for about a week and possibly/hopefully meeting back up with the group when they reach Snoqualmie (I think). He knows he is welcome to stay as long as possible... not too long though haha... he better get back at it soon! I know he will!

Lol if the PCT wasn't enough of an adventure at the best of times he sure is getting the VIP treatment!

That's what family is for! Everything seems to be working out for the best. He has contacts in plenty of areas throughout the 3 states, and he knows all of us would drop whatever we can to help him out during his journey.

I see Darren and the others made it to Glacier Lake last evening, about 5 miles beyond where Brett turned back.

Glacier Lake is at mile 2467, so they made a total of 13 miles.

Map with Darren's Spot point.

Hi Steve: Just catching up with the news that Brett has left the trail.
Do you know where their next mail stop might be? Also, who is left with Darren..... Adrienne? Thanks, Steve

Brett left three others: Darren, Adrienne and Nick

Their next crossing to the south is Snoqualmie Pass on the I-90. On the trail, it is at mile 2415, so they have 52 miles to go. I am thinking they should make that point by Saturday or Sunday.

Brett has mentioned maybe connecting with them there.

By the way, Brett included several videos on the chip he sent me, and they are on YouTube here shown by date recorded:



6/25/10     Just out of Manning Park.

6/25/10     At the Canadian border

6/26/10     South of the border

6/26/10     PCT Washington high point

6/26/10     Glissading Dan

No videos after that point. I think the reality of the grueling pace and rough conditions started putting a damper on his enthusiasm. Hoping for more videos in the future.