Until today, that is.
Many years ago I asked a friend to go backpacking with me in Yosemite National Park. Many of you know her as Sue. We spent considerable time planning and preparing for the trip; me in the Sierras and Sue in Tucson. When the time came Sue and her significant other flew to Reno and drove down to the cabin in Bridgeport, California. Sue and I left a day later on a trip out of Twin Lakes via Benson Lake to White Wolf. Two days into the trip Sue complained of knee pain, but being the athlete and stubborn individual she is decided to persevere and continue the trip. The next two days pretty well destroyed her knee so much so that she needed pain meds to continue. At the time I knew our route was challenging, but I didn't realize until today just how challenging.
Today I hiked with some PCT friends from Virginia Canyon to Benson Lake. The terrain was by far the most difficult and steep of any trail I've been on anywhere along the 972 miles of the PCT I've completed so far, and the same goes for the Catalina's and the Rincon's around Tucson. Although I didn't do the entire same route with Sue, I know the route we did was very similar in difficulty and traversed some of the same trail. My apologies to Sue. I could have picked an easier trip, but instead I caused a lot of pain and suffering. That was not my intent. I guess that's why I have the trail name Hikingsolo, since I'm probably better off having a beer with my friends and hiking the trails I like alone (or at least with crazy hikers like myself).
Top of Benson Pass.
Hikingsolo, Liftoff, and Prince Charles.
Enjoying a beachside campfire at Benson Lake.
Hikingsolo
I hope it's the hardest you'll experience on the whole PCT.
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