Day 8 - What Do You Call a Herd of Goats? — Walking People Out of Poverty

walkingpeopleoutofpoverty.ca is the personal blog of Peter Thorpe, long-time Opportunity International Canada supporter and Walking People Out of Poverty founder. For Dan Murray’s blog and information on OIC, please click here.

Start Time.: 6:30 am
End Time: 4:35 pm
Start Mileage: 2330.50
End Mileage 2347
Distance Walked: 16.50 miles
Elevator Gain: 2887 feet

We were up and away early this morning and were greeted by a glorious downhill section. It was both exhilarating and fun, and we were making really good time. Unfortunately the good times came crashing to an end as we hit the first of the days hills. We were rather disappointed as we were led to believe that today was all down hill. Still, when you are out hiking you have to take the rough with the smooth, and so we buckled down to make the climb. The upside this morning is we had cooler weather as it was decidedly cold last night.

After a good stiff climb that lasted 40-50 minutes, we reached the top and started heading down again. The views were spectacular and I took a picture down one valley and turned around to repeat. Unfortunately, our descent wasn’t very long and we started up again.

We had passed on breakfast this morning as we had decided to get some miles in, but it was now past 9:00 am and I was getting peckish. Our breakfasts are pretty simple as you simply need to add a little water to the granola that is in a Ziplock bag and you are good to go. This morning we had Granola, flax seed, raisins, sliced almonds, and powdered milk. Once the water is added you have an instant breakfast that is delicious.

After a short break, we were on our way and we entered a depressing scene of a pine forest that had been wiped out by the pine beetle. It was very sad. When we left camp we had to cover six miles to reach our water source as we were running low. After the ups and downs that preceded us, we hit on a glorious downhill section and I rounded the bend to find Payday sitting in the long grass looking like he owned the meadow. He had got his water and was just enjoying the warmth of the sun and the beautiful views and surroundings.

We got our water and after our brief rest it was time to go. I was first down the trail. It was still the lovely downhill section we had started down that eventually led to the water but it wasn’t about to last long. All of a sudden, we started up and the day was getting warmer. We were climbing up the side of a mountain that enjoyed the sun beating down on the trail we were climbing. It was getting on for noon and I was desperately seeking shelter. The higher I climbed the less shelter I was seeing.

I eventually summited and immediately found us a great shaded area where we could enjoy lunch. The next task we had, was finding another water source 5 miles further down the trail and so we set off. It’s really interesting how difficult the water is to find in what is traditionally the wettest of the 3 states the PCT passes through. California is obviously the drier of the 3 states with Washington being the wettest, but this year it’s like trying to suck blood from a stone!

The trail passed through a beautiful forest that was very pleasant to walk through. There were some ups and also some downs and also some very nice straight sections in between. We then entered another very depressing forested area that had been decimated by wild fires. We were all saddened by the devastation. The trail led through what was once a beautiful forest and it will take many years for it to return to its former glory.

As is customary in the afternoon, I will often push on to try and find a shaded area for a drink and snack. This also allows us to regenerate after a struggling climb in the heat. It was about 3:00 pm and I had sat in the shade and had a drink of my Ultima Electrolyte drink and ate some trail mix. I was just about to get up to start walking back up the trail when I heard the sound of something running through the trees.

The noise was getting louder and louder when all of a sudden a herd of goats came stampeding by, less than 10 feet from where I was sitting. There must have been a dozen of them, and then two stragglers came by almost lollygagging until they caught site of me and then they took off as though shot from a cannon. So now you know, you call a herd of goats a stampede! It was an incredible experience and I was fortunate to be able to get a shot of the big, beautiful Billy Goat.

Unfortunately, by the time the guys arrived the goats were gone. We carried on down the trail and finally found our water before pushing onto our camp which was hidden in the trees. Dinner was difficult to prepare as there was a pretty cool breeze and it was playing havoc with the propane. We managed to cook our meals. As we were cleaning up, who should roll in but Woody who we had met at White Pass. We had been one camp ahead of him since leaving but he finally caught us. Woody asked me if I had seen a guy hiking in a rainbow colored tutu. I had and spoken with him briefly. Turned out he was aptly named Rainbow.

Now we have a team working together and it will be tested to its fullest tomorrow, as we have 12 miles when we start out to get to water. It was a very cool evening and as soon as I finish this blog I will be jumping into my sleeping bag for an early night, which is right now. It’s approximately 7:50pm. Stand by for some great photos as well as some sad ones of the decimated forests.