August 3, day 126
PCT 3,790 km; kilometers hiked: 2,074
Short message from a dirt road, about 60 km and 2 days away from Snoqualmie Pass, thanks to serendipitous (read: random) AT&T service.
After yesterday's rain, we’re hoping for a dry hike. Two days ago, we passed the 2,000-km mark! Photos and details to follow in a few days.
From Snoqualmie Pass we plan to hitchhike to Seattle, where we'll spend 2 days before launching on the last 480 km to Canada. Need to buy a few items (including, once again, new shoes for Olli and a pair of rain pants for Sabine).
By popular request, a short dictionary trail terminology follows.
In addition to trail names, trail magics, and trail angels, here are a few other noteworthy terms:
Trail mix: A mix of dried fruits. Most popular are banana chips, raisins, nuts, and M&Ms. Lightweight, easy to store, nutritious. Ideal for hikers. Besides store-bought mixes, the most amazing individual creations can be found.
Variations: Peanut- or almond butter with banana chips, M&Ms, and cooking oil added ...
Trail family: Hiker community that develops during hikes
Trail head: PCT entry and exit
Trail register: A book in which you write your name, usually just the trail name, if you have one, and the arrival date, often also the country you come from
Thru-hike: A continuous hike, at least 1,000 miles
Section Hiker: A hiker who only does sections of a trail
Hiker Hunger: The disparity between calorie consumption and calorie intake leads to an insatiable appetite that can't be satisfied
Bonus Miles: Miles that aren't part of the official PCT, but that are necessary, e.g. to get to the next resupply station
Hiker box: A box in which hikers leave items (e.g., food, shoes, clothes) to which other hikers may help themselves
Zero day: A free day with two overnight stays
Nero day: One overnight stay, after which you continue on the next day
Cowboy camping: sleeping under the stars without a tent
Cache: Places in which mostly water is made available e.g. by trail angels or organizations, especially in the desert
Base-weight: Weight of the backpack without food or drink
Bear Box: Lockers at official camping places where food is protected from bears
Bear Canister: Like a Bear Box, but transportable in a backpack
Vortex: The mental difficulties arising from transitioning from a stay in the city back to the trail, causing some hikers to remain in the city longer than planned
Slack-Packing: Hiking without "baggage," which is tranported to the goal via other alternatives (e.g., with a car). Practiced by some hikers in order to make more miles.
Flip-Flop: A strategy involving skipping part of the trail and following up at a later time (e.g., due to weather conditions)
Skipping: A strategy involving skipping part of the trail
Postholing: Sinking into snow that has gotten soft due to sun
Mail Drop: Hikers mail food packages (usually to the postal office) to themselves
Bounce Box: A food package
Leave No Trace: Don't leave trash on the trail
Resupplying: Stocking up on food supplies
NoBo: Northbound, from south to north
SoBo: Southbound, from north to south
