Day 1 - 407 DAYS

July 12
Start Echo Summit Trailhead
Mile 1090
End Mile 1098.99
Miles walked 8.99

Last year I left the PCT in an ignominious fashion having to be rescued from the Sierra Nevada Mountain range by helicopter. Today, 407 days later, I’m returning to my beloved trail to walk another 877 miles in my quest to hike from The US/Mexican border up to Manning Park in Hope, BC. As with my previous blogs this is where I pause to reflect on all those people who have helped and supported my efforts.

I would like to begin with the fantastic people at Opportunity International, the non profit organization that will receive all the funds raised via this walk. I will begin with Doris Olafsen and Jo-Anne Morris who are an amazing team based in Vancouver. The working poor are blessed to have such champions in their corner. Thank you seems an inadequate word for the work they do. Next I would thank Kim Buller who co-ordinates all of O.I’s fund-raising efforts in Alberta and does a terrific job. So Kim thank you. Last but certainly not least is Andrew MacDonald who is based in Ontario and provides amazing support on the technical side. As much as I enjoy the creative side of my blog, I cannot say the same about the technical, or I T side of this. So Andrew thank you for everything. Next up I would thank my walking companions from Calgary, Bruce Bynoe, Norm Lippitt, Tina Donkers and Dave Dziadyk as well as Tom Caldwell who provided invaluable inside knowledge of the trail. Guys I cannot thank you enough, and know I’m going to miss our Saturday morning latte after our trips around Nose Hill park!!

I want to say a special thank you to Shay Robertson, a young lady I work with who has proved invaluable. Shay is an absolute wizard on creating spreadsheets, and has taken the sheets that Tina and I created to a different level and I'm always fascinated watching Shay’s dancing fingers as they tripped the “light fantastic” across her keyboard. Shay must have wondered what she had gotten herself into as there was constant chopping and changes to both the mileage and food spreadsheets. So Shay thank you for all your hard work.

As I type this I’m on the cusp of being driven up to South Lake Tahoe from Fresno, where I have spent the last 3 nights. My hiking partner, Marv Nerland (more on Marvin in a future email), has a brother, Ken, who lives in Fresno with his wonderful wife Sandy. Ken and Sandy have been amazing hosts and I’m going to miss the tasty desserts that Sandy has put out these past 3 nights. especially the chocolate cake, strawberries and ice cream! I think Sandy is trying to put some weight onto me before I leave for the trail!

Finally, and as I always do, I’m leaving the best till last. I have been very fortunate to have a person in my life who is extremely protective of me, and so I send sincere thanks to the love of my life Liz. Words cannot express the gratitude I feel for having Liz as a partner, because Liz always has, and I expect always will spoil me, and I cannot thank Liz enough for what she provides. I’m blessed in so many ways so thank you Sweetie. One last thing, Liz is looking after our beautiful, soon to be, 4 year old Old English Sheepdog Lola who we both love unconditionally. Lola gives us so much more than we can ever give her, and so there’s another thanks to Liz. I’m sure my good friends Chuck and Carmen will nod approvingly when they read this. I should add Liz and I are blessed to have C and C as friends because they love to look after Lola when we travel, so as an aside let me thank them as well.

Finally I want to say a huge thank you to all those people who are supporting my walk with their hard earned dollars. Your emotional and financial support is very much appreciated and I cannot thank you enough.

Today I’m walking around 10 miles starting right around lunchtime and will post my blog as often as I can but it is all dependent on getting cell service. Last year was extremely frustrating in this regard, as those who read my blog will know, so please bear with me.

Peter T.
(From here on in known as Wanderer, my trail name)