107) August 3: Meanwhile ...

 

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