Sunday, September 23, 2012

Day 155: Spring Near Crest to Manning Park, B.C., CANADA!!!

Beep, beep, beep! We woke to the incessant beeping of my watch alarm. Excited by thoughts of reaching the border, we packed up quickly and were on the trail long before the sun.

As we climbed to the crest, we met Just John, returning to Harts Pass after reaching the border yesterday. Although most hikers finish at Manning Park in British Columbia, Canada, some choose to hike back to Harts Pass for logistical reasons, or because they do not have a passport or the necessary papers to enter Canada via the PCT.

From the crest we descended briefly to avoid a steep scree slope before climbing again to Woody Pass. From there we traversed a rocky hillside, climbing slightly to reach Lakeview Ridge (7,126 ft), our high point of the day. Looking ahead at the mountains to the north, we wondered which of them were in Canada.

With mixed feelings -- both excited and sad that this incredible journey is coming to an end -- we began our descent to the border. With less than a mile left to go, I spotted a familiar figure down the trail. "Daddy!" Sierra screamed. We had not seen him since we left Ashland on August 11, six weeks ago.

Together, the three of us continued to the border. Jeff and I were deep in conversation when I heard a shriek up ahead. Sierra had discovered Monument 78 (4,240 ft), the PCT monument that marks the border between the United States and Canada!

But the trail doesn't end at the border. So, after a short celebration we continued down the trail to Manning Park, British Columbia, Canada.

We reached the trailhead parking lot with mixed emotions. We were excited that we had accomplished what we set out to do: we hiked the entire official PCT with no flips, no skips, no shortcuts or alternate routes, leaving a continuous, unbroken line of footprints from Mexico to Canada.  And in meeting that personal goal, Sierra set a new record for the youngest PCT thru-hiker, becoming the youngest person on record to have completed a continuous thru-hike of the PCT.  But our excitement at these accomplishments was tempered by other feelings: we were sad that the adventure was coming to an end.

Many hikers talk about how difficult it can be to transition from the trail. We feel thankful we were able to finish a little earlier than planned so we will have some time to ease the transition, taking time to explore alternate routes not taken (we want to see Eagle Creek and Tunnel Falls) and to get caught up on schoolwork.









27 comments:

  1. Congratulations! You guys are amazing. :)

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  2. Congrats and thanks for the blog! Very cool for Sierra! (And you) :-)
    Definitely check out Eagle Creek as it is incredible!

    rtland PCT section Hiker Mike (GoalTech)

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  3. Congratulations!

    Monkey - Your courage and ability to stick with it to the end amazes me. Well done. I hope your story shows others your age that you really can do anything you set your mind to. =]

    Mama Bear - I wish I could have given my boys such a gift. You have done a wonderful, wonderful thing here... I don't even have the words... Speaking of which, thank you for writing this and sharing it with all who care read it. Your descriptions of the flowers, the trees, everything you saw around you, the ups and the downs (figuratively and literally) made me feel like I was there. I'll keep an eye out for any final posts.

    Charles

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  4. Congratulations!!! We were reading all along and so excited to find you at the end of the trail. So inspirational! Thanks for all the effort you put into the blog to keep your lurking fans updated. Hope the transition back to "normal" life isn't too rough. So, so proud of you both!! - Christina & Chet & Catie (11) & Becky (8)

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  5. I remember when you two came through Wrightwood and we met at the hardware store. You both have worked harder then most to achieve an incredibly challenging goal that 99% would not dare attempt. Well done for staying the course. There literally is nothing ahead of you in life that you cannot tackle.

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  6. Great job guys!!!! Super happy for you guys!!! I've been folowing your travels the whole way on this blog. Great job and can't wait to see you once you get back. GREAT JOB!!!!!! - Carson

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  7. Congrats to you and your daughter on reaching Manning! I have been reading through your blog, an incredible experience for you both I'm sure.

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  8. Congrats to you both. I love seeing strong girls on the trail!

    Love,
    NEMO
    AT, PCT, CDT

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  9. Awesome! I was the gent you talked to inside the hut on Muir Pass. Been following you ever since. Glad to see you made it. Well done!

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  10. That ia amazing. Congrats too the both of you.

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  11. I am so inspired with Monkey and even more by you, Mama Bear! What a great experience to have shared with your daughter.

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  12. What a wonderful accomplishment! Congratulations to you both! I'm also a mom who hikes with her daughter(s), though we haven't taken on anything as strenuous or ambitious as the PCT! Kudos to you, Mama, for giving your daughter a fantastic childhood! -- Patricia Ellis Herr (and Alex and Sage).

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  13. Fantastic achievement – many many congratulations from the UK. Hike the trail in 04 and was hoping to rehike when my kids reach the ages of 18, in 15 years time. Now I hope they;'re sufficiently inspired by your hike to take me with them in seven or eight years, maybe even before I reach 55yo! Really, well done.

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  14. Congratulations! What an amazing adventure. I have enjoyed following your blog postings throughout your journey.

    Cheers
    David (friend of Wayne & Kim)

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  15. Way to go! Congratulations on your great accomplishment!

    Freefall

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  16. Congratulations to both of you, can't wait to get over there and experience it for myself.

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  17. Thank you for letting us journey with you both! You are awe inspiring!

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  18. Congratulations! I discovered your blog in July and read it all the way through. From the first few posts I read, I never doubted (barring serious injury) that you two would make it all the way. As I am sure you know, Sierra is one amazing kid - well beyond her years in many ways. And you are an amazing mom - you have guven your daughter (and yourself) a priceless gift that will keep on giving. I plan to save this blog to inspire my 3-year old daughter in the years to come. Thank you for sharing your journey.

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  19. Congratulations! I've been following yours and Sierra's journey since I found out you had been through (or near) Wrightwood, CA where I live. I'm so proud of you both, what an accomplishment and a gift to your child.

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  20. Congratulations! I'm so inspired by you both. What a wonderful journey for you to share.

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  21. Congratulations to you both! We are amazed and awed by your accomplishment and can hardly wait till you are home again. Will you do a school assembly? You have inspired a nation!

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  22. Heather and Sierra, You've been my inspiration and morning entertainment over coffee for the last several mornings as I read your wonderful blog. I was just now especially excited to read about your travels through the Glacier Peak region and North Cascades National Park, my most loved and familiar hiking territory near my home here in Bellingham.

    Thank you so much for sharing your trip with all of us out here cheering you on. Sierra, you are more than amazing and will remember this trip forever!

    Oh, and one more thing... You two have inspired me to finally take the leap and hike the PCT (two years from now). My sweetie, Lori Jo said that she may be able to join me for sections of it. Thanks!

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