Tuesday 5 October 2010

Through the Olympics to the Pacific


The last nine days of my Pacific Northwest Trail hike encapsulated the walk as a whole. I had days of sunshine and days of torrential rain, dense clouds hiding the peaks and clear skies with sharp distant horizons. I walked on busy highways, logging roads, remote trails and, on the coast, tough trailless terrain. The Olympic Mountains came and went in the mist, though Mount Olympus itself remained hidden. Along the ocean I scrambled over boulders, seaweed and big logs and strode along sandy beaches. I camped in the majestic giant trees of the Bogachiel rain forest and on the edge of the Pacific Ocean. Finally I reached Cape Alava and the wonderful adventure was over. Both sad and elated I turned away from the trail. It was time to go home.

The picture is at trail's end at Cape Alava. There are more pictures on my Facebook pages and TGO magazine is running a series of longer articles on the walk.

15 comments:

  1. Well done Chris. Another long and I expect fulfilling walk under your belt.

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  2. Well done Chris - sounds as if it was a bit of an endurance test, but I'm sure you relished the challenge. It makes pootling over the Alps in the sunshine seem very mundane!

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  3. Welcome back to Blighty Chris - and very well done. Look forward to reading & hearing more about the hike.

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  4. I'd believe the sad and elated feelings at the end. I'd hope to have the same feelings.
    Congratulation on a great trip!

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  5. Wow, welcome back and a very well done.
    Take care,
    All the best,
    Tony

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  6. Lovely shot of the Grizzly on the beach Chris. Lol.
    Glad it turned out well for you and we look forward to reading the TGO on the walk and how your gear performed...Thanks Alan/Sheila

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  7. Len the Harmonicaman6 October 2010 at 20:22

    Let me be the first to congratulate you on another great walk. And another great beard I might add!

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  8. Well done Chris, looking forward to hearing all about your trip. Alvar and Ann

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  9. Congratulations, Chris! I thought I was seeing your footprints the last few days I was hiking and was hoping to meet you by the end, but that didn't happen. That's the thing about through-hiking - everyone's moving about the same pace. Safe journeys on your return.

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  10. Well done Chris and welcome home!

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  11. Thanks everyone. It was a challenging and fulfilling walk. Now I have piles of mail, hundreds of emails and a malfunctioning computer to deal with. Life on the trail was much simpler!

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  12. Fantastic trip Chris and in time I look forward to your illustrated talk of this adventure.

    Rob fae Craigellachie

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  13. Chris,

    Well done Matey! That be a black beard I see, nary a white whisker visible. It must mean you are lacking in corporate experience but nevertheless, your one fine walker!

    Walt of CA

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  14. Another PNT thru-hiker joins the ranks. Well done, good sir!

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  15. Chris, I'm glad you made it home safely and hope those memories of your magnificent walk stay with you for along time.

    Alastair

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