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

Brett talked with Darren today -- they were all in Packwood. He told me they were going to "road walk" some road for 30 miles.

And Brett quit the entire PCT adventure today.
I was having fun checking the maps, familiarizing myself with the terrain along the way.

When he came out at Chinook pass, there was still several feet of snow right along the road at the pass, with much more snow ahead. But then he might have quit even with good conditions. We'll never know.

Now his current plan is to pick up a used road bicycle in Seattle, and ride the coast of Washington and Oregon, and get to northern Calif in time to join his wife when she visits her family there.

He was beginning to have second thoughts some days ago when his wife reported issues back home: broken hot water pipe at kitchen sink, flooded kitchen floor, no more hot water in kitchen, then the air conditioner quit several days ago. That had him wishing he was home to take care of that stuff.

So I am hoping we can keep up with Darren and Adrienne as they move on south. I'll post occasional updates on Brett's bicycle (or whatever ) progress.

Well, I guess that it makes sense that most people who take on a 6 month hiking hiatus are usually high school or college grads who do not have houses, spouses, and/or jobs in progress to negotiate.

Perhaps Brett made a very wise decision.

Hey Dad! You made me want to shed a tear in that previous post. We all had high hopes for Brett, but I'm glad he is still doing something with his summer and not giving up all together! He has put too much thought and planning into the trip, at least he still gets to experience the different states, just from a different point of view. Brett, I am rooting for you, I know you can do it! You have your reasons and we still all stand behind you!

No tears necessary, Stef. (Sorry if the post was that much of a downer.) I was enjoying watching his hiking adventure, sort of vicariously hiking it myself.

So we just have to shift gears. There is still a lot summer left in his adventure, so we'll still be keeping up with him.

Steve:

THANKS for all your informative and interesting blogs and the pictures.
Each day as I logged on I would hope your "voice" would be here.
I copied 7 pages of a Father's love for backpacking and his son.

The information you gave me regarding Darren "steps" made me very happy!

Darren and Adrienne continue on and I hope he posts weekly updates of his daily journal.

Diane

I'm glad to hear that Brett made the tough decision to take care of the home responsibilities and then get in a little cycling.

For those that are interested, I just updated Adrienne's blog with 5 more of her watercolors. http://tinyurl.com/pctadrienne

You might also be interested in Darren's descriptions and photos. http://tinyurl.com/pctdarren

I see Darren's spot this evening. Looks like they are now about 50 miles from the Oregon Border. They have made good progress the last few days.

And today in Bellingham, Brett bought a used touring bicycle complete with panniers and such for hauling his gear. He's waiting for a package from his wife, and then he plans on hitting the road -- Hwy 1 down the coast.

That's such a beautiful drive, and to do it by bike will be even better -- getting to see everything up close, and personal and at a more leisurely speed than in a car. I hope that everything works out fine for this new chapter in his summer adventure.

CaT

Update on Brett's progress...

He's well on his way south on the Hwy 1, into Oregon now. He went through Tillamook today. I hope he stopped and bought some of that great cheese. Tillamook is about the same latitude as Portland.

Darren's current Spot location puts Adrienne and him 50-60 miles farther south than Brett. They're making great progress!

Talking to Brett several days ago, he reported trouble with his Achilles tendon. Even bicycling has its issues!

I received the last of his mail from the PCT -- and envelope carrying his camera memory chip. Only the postal canceling machine had ripped the envelope and extracted the chip.   ...He's going to be pretty upset when he finds out.

OH NO!!! He is going to be so bummed out! Have you told him the news yet?!

Well, as we know, stranger things have happened with chips, and they've been found. Hopefully, something similar will happen with Brett's chip too. Boy, can I relate to the bummed out feeling of losing your chip with all your pictures on it, though.

CaT

Yes, I remember that epic.

Brett wasn't too bummed. He said there were only about 40 pics. But I'd like to see them -- mountain goats and elk were among them.

Update...

Brett is pedaling along Tomales Bay just north of San Francisco as I write this. Last night he was 70 miles from the Golden Gate.

His ride ends Sunday when I pick him up someplace on the coast and bring him to Fresno. He's heading back to Michigan next week.

He's been riding 50 to 70 miles per day.

Whoa! Before you know it he will be riding the RAAM or the Tour de France!

Of course, riding that many miles a day should be easy! Cuz, according to my globe, riding from North to South is DOWNHILL right?

Please refer to the over-50 thread, folks!

Due to the Equatorial Bulge, the planet is a little pear-shaped.
Towards the Equator is uphill. Somewhat. I suspect AlanK will provide the maths - or is it CaT?

Today's picture:

Equatorial bulge can be cured by a combination of diet and exercise.

Congratulations to Brett! He is one adaptable adventurer. The Golden Gate pic is a great closer for this one.

Definitely not me.

CaT

Brett is down to Watsonville tonight. Big Sur tomorrow.

He's having such a rough time... Called me from a Starbucks about mid-morning fussing about the cold foggy weather. The bike trip is definitely different from the all-day hiking on the PCT.

I checked on Darren and Adrienne's progress...

Sad news for Darren. He posted this a week ago (Adrienne is aka Machine)