September 2, 2017 – I had been on the trail for four days when I learned that a section of the Pacific Crest Trail was closed just north of White Pass due to danger from The Norse Peak Fire. A lightning storm on August 11 ignited 13 fires in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National forest, forcing 23 – then 52 – miles of the PCT to close.

The closure impacts access to the 98-mile section from White Pass to Snoqualmie. While it’s not all closed, poor accessibility makes it hard to get back on the trail at Government Meadow where it’s open. Most hikers are skipping the full 98-mile section and jumping forward to Snoqualmie, and they’ll return to hike this section at a later time. The other option is to hike White Pass to Chinook Pass, then walk a dangerous road for 26 miles and/or hike around on alternate trail systems and hitchhike to get back to the PCT.

After six days and 148 miles on the trail, I was picked up at White Pass on Friday, September 1. Right now, I’m taking my two days of rest (called ‘zero’ days due to no mileage). My plan is to go back and complete this section once it’s safe to traverse in one push. I’ll be starting back on the Trail at Snoqualmie Pass on Monday, September 4.

My body reacted well to the overall mileage of the first week, and outside of a few nagging blisters and a toenail I’ll likely lose, the rest of me is sore but in good shape. My plan was to average 18-19 miles a day, but over the first six days I’ve actually averaged over 22 miles per day. That included one 26-mile day, which was a bit too much, but I feel like I can crank out 20-25 miles per day depending on the terrain and weather. Therefore, I’m increasing my overall daily mileage goal and am targeting to finish the 260 remaining miles somewhere between September 17-19, which will include another zero day in Stehekin. That leaves enough time to go back to the White Pass section and still complete it within my 30-day window. My entire game-plan is outlined here.

As of right now, we’ve raised just shy of $350,000 toward our $600,000 goal. If you haven’t had the chance to donate, please consider supporting Trek for Tots today at www.kindering.org/pct.