Epic Hikes of the World ( PDFDrive )

© Patrick Poendl | Shutterstock
marking the route
With Oregon behind me, I descend towards the Columbia River and savour the
crossing into Washington, the final state of my journey. Here Oregon’s forgiving
terrain comes to an abrupt end and almost instantly I’m climbing up and down the
deep glacial valleys of the northern Cascades. Three weeks after crossing the
Columbia I’ve reached Stehekin, the final town on the trail and possibly the most
charming. Sitting on the northernmost coast of a large mountain lake, it can only
be reached by foot, boat or seaplane, an isolation that give it a uniquely laidback
feel. The people are friendly, and relaxing days of soaking in the magnitude of my
journey come easy.
After leaving Stehekin, I savour the three-day hike to the Canadian border and
use the time to reflect on how lucky I’ve been to spend my summer experiencing all
the ups and downs of the PCT – both physically and mentally. As a Canadian, part
of what kept me going was a sense of walking home, though after months on the
PCT the concept of ‘home’ had become a bit abstract. I eventually arrive at the
northern terminus on a late afternoon in mid-August and am greeted by a
monument that is near-identical to the one I left behind at the Mexican border. It
reads ‘Canada to Mexico 2650 Miles’. This time I’ll go home instead, wherever that
is. AB
KIND HEARTS AND CORONAS
A cooler in the middle of the desert stocked with beer, soda, and chocolate? It’s
not a mirage, it’s ‘trail magic’! Along its entire length, the PCT has a vibrant local
community of ‘trail angels’ who selflessly give their time and resources to help
hikers on their journeys. Whether it’s a cold drink or a ride into town, their
generosity is unparalleled and can turn a bad day into something magical.
ORIENTATION