Dan Oakes (PCT)

@danoakes

139 posts

Days 144-151 — Rest and recuperation in Vancouver and Oakland

I’m long-overdue for a proper break. I surprised my family with a visit and walked as little as possible.

2100 miles down, 550 to go! 2019 is a record snow year, which forced most hikers to bypass the Sierra and return later. Over the next 40’ish days, I’ll walk from Chester to Independence (green arrows below).

Day 143 — 16.4 miles to CANADA!!

I made it to the border!

Celebrating atop the monument!

For reference, this is 143 days ago at the Mexican border. Same shirt and pants. I’m definitely more ‘weathered’ and at least 20lbs lighter.

Day 142 — 21.8 miles through the North Cascades

Ascend 4585ft, Descend 4088ft

Unbelievable rain today — my camera stayed dry in my bag and I didn’t take a solitary photo

Day 141 — 21.2 miles through the North Cascades

Ascend 4014ft, Descend 4007ft

Only 35 miles to Canada!

Day 140 — 18.7 miles to Methow Pass

Ascend 4915ft, Descend 1474ft

Climbed to the top of the ridge and was greeted by a new set of mountains.

A swollen creek, flush from all the rain:

Before the rain resumed:

Day 139 — 11.2 miles through North Cascades National Park

Ascend 3045ft, Descend 1517ft

Leaf covered lake:

Rushing water:

View from the bridge:

Day 138 — Rest day in Stehekin

Overlooking the lake:

Best bakery ever — spent most of the day lounging here:

Day 137 — 19.6 miles to Stehekin

Ascend 1645ft, Descend 5870ft

Pause in the sun to dry my tent and shoes:

Long exposure from the bridge:

Day 136 — 20.9 miles to Plumme Mountain

Ascend 4248ft, Descend 4182ft

Sunrise from the tent:

A sun ray punching through the clouds:

Endless green:

Long exposure using the bridge as a tripod:

Day 135 — 20.9 miles past Mica Lake

Ascend 4298ft, Descend 4182ft

Mica Lake is easily one of my top-5 spots:

Awesome spot to pause for lunch:

The Cascades extending North:

Pausing for a short break:

By 6pm, I’ll have climbed the opposite side:

The view from the top:

Up and over the ridge:

Hard to see, but there are two bears in the valley below:

Nothing to worry about here:

Day 134 — 21.4 miles along White Creek

Ascend 4336ft, Descend 4691ft

A foggy morning:

Finally, the fog lifts:

Walk past an unnamed alpine lake:

A furry friend:

Can’t believe I’m going to walk across all that:

Resembles a large bowel:

Long exposure, using the bridge as a tripod:

Day 133 — 21.5 miles to Pear Lake

Ascend 4996ft, Descend 5043ft

Bad idea: walking up to a bear

Good idea: stopping when he notices you

Neutral idea: walking parallel to a bear

Day 132 — 3.6 miles to Nason Creek

Ascend 593ft, Descend 405ft

Skykomish with the Whisyling Post in the foreground:

A short break then back to it:

Day 131 — 21.6 miles to Skykomish

Ascend 5029ft, Descend 5456ft

Clouds over the Cascades:

Folds in the hills:

Losing track of all the alpine lakes:

Day 130 — 22.8 miles past Cathedral Lake

Ascend 4066ft, Descend 5068ft

Little guy found a nut:

Descending into the valley down a washed out trail:

Day 129 — 19.5 miles past Spectical Lake

Ascend 4992ft, Descend 4849ft

The first of many alpine lakes:

Walking the ridgeline:

Can’t believe I’m going to walk across all that:

Crest the ridge:

The Cascades ahead:

Pause to cool off by a trailside waterfall

Day 128 — 7.2 miles to Ridge Lake

Ascend 3002ft, Descend 668ft

Welcome to Mt. Baker:

Dan Oakes (PCT) @danoakes - Tumblr Blog | Tumgag