LOCALadk Magazine

Mount Jefferson, OR Winter 2015 LOCALadk Magazine 35 LOCALadk black bear around the next corner, it took off at a pace I never imagined that a bear could run! Instead of bears and mountain lions, mice are ac- tually the greatest threat on the PCT. My trekking poles, my water blad- der, and my socks were chewed into while sleeping atop Pilot Peak. Pikas actually stole a pair of my Darn Tough socks while I slept at night. Now THEY get to capitalize on the lifetime nest warrantee! "The trail giveth and the trail taketh away!" The High Sierra shocked my senses. Climbing up to 10,000ft. for the first time near Sonora Pass reminded me of the grandeur of the North Cas- cades. It's also similar to being on the summit of Haystack in the High Peaks. You fee surrounded by wildness! The views through the Sierra Nevada were jaw-dropping. I envisioned myself living like John Muir and spending a few reclusive summers there. The high mountain passes in Kings Canyon National Park were among my favorite vistas on trail. While taking a "zero," or a full day of rest with zero miles hiked, I met up with a group of SOBO's that would remain with me for the final 800 miles of the PCT. Dubbed the "Wrong Way Gang," this intrepid group of thru-hikers became my best friends. We summited Mount Whitney to- gether. At 14,505ft., this mountain in Sequoia National Park is the high- est point in the continental United States. The Wrong Way Gang and I also hiked a double marathon, or 52.4 miles in one day, to get over the notoriously hot Los Angeles Aqueduct stretch. As a SOBO, I was fortunate to not have to contend with a snowy Cascade June. Statistically this is atypical, and most SOBO hikes would begin at the beginning of July due to deep snow early in the season. The problem then becomes getting through the High Sierra before the snowfall esca- lates in the fall! That's a 3-month window to hike 1,800 miles. The final 800 miles are in Southern California's deserts. The Mojave is as hot as advertised, but immeasurably beautiful as well. SOBO's are constantly told, "There won't be any water to drink once you hit the des- ert." This warning, while good for litigious reasons, has proven to be in- valid in 2015. I've had my coldest nights and rainiest days on trail while in desert! Walking through a hail storm in the Anza-Borrego Desert was particularly befuddling! Going the "wrong way" has never felt so right! Southbounders avoided the wildfires that plagued Washington and Oregon later in the sum- mer. We also got to enjoy the Sierra with fewer people on trail and no bugs to annoy us. Most importantly, we walked through a moderate au- tumnal desert! Some call this, "El Niño." I'll call it, "SOBO luck!" I'm writing this piece with one day remaining on my thru-hike of the Pa- cific Crest Trail. My continuous footpath started on June 27th when I touched the monument at the 48th parallel separating the U.S. and Can- ada. Just under 4 months later on October 26th, I'll reach the monument on the U.S. and Mexican border. I'm not sure if I'll laugh, or if I'll cry, but I know I'll be happy. My parents were there when I finished my first round of the 46 High Peaks atop Mount Colden, previously the greatest moment of my life. My parents are currently flying to meet me on trail before I reach the end of the Pacific Crest Trail. Every day on trail was absolutely the next greatest day of my life. It's fitting that the people who gave me the Adirondacks, and therefore, everything, will be there for me tomorrow. Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail has made it apparent how special the Ad- irondacks are. The preservation of the Adirondack Park was a monumen- tal achievement in conservation. Why does the "forever wild" clause matter? It matters because only a fraction of our country is that beauti- ful. I can say that I've hiked the 2,650-mile sliver of beauty out west, and I'm even more excited to return to my 6.1-million acre home to hike again with a new perspective. But first, more adventure awaits! New Zealand is next, followed closely by the AT, and from there it's a mystery where I'll be swept off to. It's fun to think that this whole journey was prompted by random scoots in the untrammeled wilderness areas around our very own Adirondack Park... To follow Tyler's adventure, visit tylerhikes.blogspot.com

• Cover