Journey Day 130 | PCT Day 130

The trail junction leading up to Mt. Thielsen, another great volcanic peak in Oregon.

8/24/85

My friends leave after breakfast. I head back to the peak, leaving our nice site unattended. Hike up, but not enough. Confused about whereabouts, finally get back to trail up Mt. Thielsen. It was the next ridge.

Climb up what turns out to be a challenging ridge. Loose rocks. No defined trail. Scramble, slip, crawl, walk. See others. Follow their trail. Get to spot below pinnacle.

Others come down roped. I free climb up. Flies are the only drawback to a breathtaking view. Group on top with me from Ashland, Oregon. One woman, two boys a man and Joe, an elderly scaler of 350-plus peaks. We talk, they give me granola, dry watermelon. Then it’s back down. Slipping in loose rock. Joe leads us down. I’m among the stragglers. But eventually we’re down. A good climb!

Leave group at junction. Hike back to camp where four women are sunning by the creek. They’re from Portland, like the section hikers I camped with last night.  Leave to eat. Ramen with wienie dick stew. Another dinner, peanuts, gorp mix fill me.

Try to relax. Hard with miles ahead and winter approaching, while I wait for J.L., my friend from Ohio.

About to read Black Elk Speaks when Padre and partner saunter in. B.S. as they wind down, make dinner. I make another dinner. Crash, tired from peaking!