Outdoor Adventures with Ancient Brit
PCT 2002 - July 17th
Day 92: Wednesday 17th July Peak 5,432 – Deer Creek
At first light there was a dull orange glow to the east, with a few purple clouds with
pink edges. Camping in the woods so often, I tended to miss the colourful sunsets and
sunrises you usually get in the mountains. At 5.45am the sky had lightened and the
orange sun gradually crept above the, by now, bright orange horizon.
A few mosquitoes were taking advantage of the cool still morning air.
I was walking through an actively logged area in the morning, with frequent views
towards Mount Shasta. At Moosehead Creek Springs I was able to rehydrate and pick up
water for the next 14 miles. I found patches of snow on the ridge and was able to give ice-
treatment to my still sore heel.
It was 6 pm by the time I reached Deer Creek where I had dinner. Harley, from
Spokane, Washington, and “Jaybird” turned up while I was eating. “Jaybird” had got
behind me when he had spent 3 days in Quincy and then hiked for 5 days with his mother
and 12 year-old sister. He was also due to do a section in Oregon with his father but that
wasn’t going to slow him down as much. There was nowhere to camp but “Jaybird” bivvied
on the trail by the creek and Harley found a small site about 10 minutes down the trail. I
traversed a steep slope high above the creek for an hour, until I found a tiny flat patch on
a spur to camp, as it was getting dark.
This was my longest day, both in terms of time and distance.
Day 92: 24.2 hours 9.46 hours Camp: above Deer Creek
At first light there was a dull orange glow to the east, with a few purple clouds with
pink edges. Camping in the woods so often, I tended to miss the colourful sunsets and
sunrises you usually get in the mountains. At 5.45am the sky had lightened and the
orange sun gradually crept above the, by now, bright orange horizon.
A few mosquitoes were taking advantage of the cool still morning air.
I was walking through an actively logged area in the morning, with frequent views
towards Mount Shasta. At Moosehead Creek Springs I was able to rehydrate and pick up
water for the next 14 miles. I found patches of snow on the ridge and was able to give ice-
treatment to my still sore heel.
It was 6 pm by the time I reached Deer Creek where I had dinner. Harley, from
Spokane, Washington, and “Jaybird” turned up while I was eating. “Jaybird” had got
behind me when he had spent 3 days in Quincy and then hiked for 5 days with his mother
and 12 year-old sister. He was also due to do a section in Oregon with his father but that
wasn’t going to slow him down as much. There was nowhere to camp but “Jaybird” bivvied
on the trail by the creek and Harley found a small site about 10 minutes down the trail. I
traversed a steep slope high above the creek for an hour, until I found a tiny flat patch on
a spur to camp, as it was getting dark.
This was my longest day, both in terms of time and distance.
Day 92: 24.2 hours 9.46 hours Camp: above Deer Creek
Mount Shasta from
Mushroom Rock
Mushroom Rock
West ridge,
Mushroom Rock
Mushroom Rock
Harley
Jaybird
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