Rachel and Benny Hike the PCT: The First Leg.....Done!

July 3, 2013 (transcribed)

From the Journal: June 22, 2013
We got back on the trail this evening about 6 and hiked from Rainey Pass to Fireweed Campground about 4 miles away. It is wonderful to be on dry ground with dry clothes and eat dinner outside of the tent. Mom sent us off with homemade chili for dinner, which was delicious. Yesterday we woke up at Granite Pass and quickly found ourselves in steep snow terrain. Looking at a 60 degree traverse with minimal visibility was daunting so we decided to travel up and over the ridge to Cuttthroat Pass. It was a very exposed 4th/5th Class scramble, which was terrifying at times but also really fun. I miss climbing. We were lucky the route went through, it would have been defeating and scary to climb down the way we went up. We overshot the descent route down Cutthroat by a bit, but Ben was able to get us back on track. Soon we started descending into forest and were able to walk on trail the last few miles to Rainey Pass. We hitched a ride from a very kind Canadian couple who gave us soda, apples and cheese. We got a room in Winthrop and went out for pizza and beer. Jon flew in to deliver a replacement GPS and Jen brought out new shoes and a few other pieces of gear. It was priceless to spend the day with family. I feel very lucky to have the support system we have.