TD's Peterson hits midpoint on Pacific Crest Trail; magic overfloweth
TDHS Grad Emily Peterson reaches the midpoint on the Pacific Crest Trail on Monday, July 25, near Chester, California, the home of Chuck Norris. She has now hiked 1,325 miles and is working her way closer to Oregon. She hopes to reach Canada by October. Just 1,325 to go.
By Tom Peterson
Peterson sent this photo standing at mile 1,325 on the PCT.
Pacific Crest Trail hiker Emily Peterson hit the midpoint on her 2,650-mile trek this week while hiking between Chester, Calif., and Lassen Volcanic National Park.
“I’m just two miles away,” she reported on Monday, July 25 at 9 a.m.
The 2017 TD High School graduate, aka Zombie, said her body is holding up, noting it does not hurt as much as long as she keeps moving.
She got her trail name after dehydration sidelined her with an IV drip at a hospital in Ridgecrest, California five weeks ago.
“They're saying I came back from the dead,” she said.
The guy wires on her tent are frayed but holding.
And her inflatable pillow? It sprang a leak.
Peterson bought another pair of hiking shoes in Lake Tahoe. These two shoes are identical, except for 600 miles of wear and tear on the left. It’s Peterson’s third pair thus far.
But the new shoes purchased in Lake Tahoe keep her moving.
She has jettisoned her bear canister food protector needed in the Sierras. And she removed the internal frame from her backpack, greatly increasing the comfort of her back.
Two weeks ago, Peterson said she took “two zeros” - staying in Lake Tahoe two days and hiking no miles - after reaching the resort town on July 11th.
She and hiking pals had done some researching and made a b-line for an all-you-can-eat Sushi bar called “Off The Hook.”
The next day, she had the chance to have pizza with cousins Brian and Ann Fitzpatrick who live in nearby Reno. It was her first contact with family since starting the trail on April 29 at the California/Mexico border in Campo.
“We had a great time,” she said. “It was so good to see them. We met up again for dinner two days later when I got to Truckee.”
Cousins Ann and Brian Fitzpatrick met Emily Peterson for pizza in Lake Tahoe. Apparently they had a stalker.
And how was Lake Tahoe?
Peterson said it was sweet. They stayed in a hostel for $40 a night where they could re-supply, do laundry and get a shower. But she soon found out that access to Lake Tahoe was not free. She said the cost to go to the nearby beach at the lake was $5 for her and $25 for those who did not purchase lodging in the area. The free beach required a bus ride.
She also found out that Stateline, Nevada was a few blocks away on the east side of the lake. And wouldn’t you know it, Nevada had a casino right there for everyone’s convenience.
Hiking partner Sandals made the $20 that Peterson lost.
Peterson said her group of hiking buddies shifts around periodically as people are wanting to choose their own pace on the trail.
While the mosquitos are not letting up, Peterson said the weight on her back has.
Church camp in Sierra City after cake and beer.
In the last 10 days, she has been hiking with a two- to three-day food supply, as small towns for re-supply are not far apart. But prices aren’t cheap. A protein bar can run $3.
In the last 200 miles, Peterson has stopped in Truckee, Sierra City, Quincy, Belden, and Chester.
They spent the night in front of the church in Sierra City after feasting on chocolate cake and a beer.
They hit Belden on Saturday, July 23. They jumped in the water of the Feather River and gorged on ice cream sandwiches and quaffed sodas.
Peterson said they are periodically hiking in burns from past fires as smoke from the current 18,000-acre Oak Fire near Yosemite National Park has brought in some haze and smoke on some days.
A section of burn along the trail on July 21st.
They had a 10-mile stretch on Sunday, July 24, through a desolate burn. But they were surprised by some trail magic. A former thru-hiker whose journey was cut short by injury drove up with supplies for a feast. He had set up chairs and was cooking eggs and bacon. Trays of vegetables filled the table and pop, beer and booze were in the coolers.
Trail Magic in the burn near Chester, California. Broccoli, cucumbers, strawberries, Sprite and satisfaction.
Peterson gorged on cucumbers, noting fresh vegetables are so delicious after eating so much packaged food.
More trail magic appeared on July 26 before reaching Chester. Coolers of sliced watermelon were waiting.
Peterson said she left her last major climb behind her until she reaches Washington with her near summit of Butt Mountain, (Yes, Butt Mountain) elevation of 7,874 feet.
According to "California Place Names: The Origin and Etymology of Current Geographical Names" by Erwin Gustav Gudde, Butt Mountain, creek, valley, and reservoir were all named after a miner in Plumas County named Horace Butts.
All funny names aside, Peterson said she is stoked to be in Northern California with Oregon just several weeks’ hike away.
She’s covering 18 to 22 miles per day.
