Hikingsolo on the PCT: July 13

July 13 - Rim to Lake

Thirteen hikers left in a group from Crater Lake along the Rim Trail headed north towards highway 138 and a short hitch to Diamond Lake. Nine made it. Two selected to follow the standard route along the PCT to Mount Thielsen and potentially very dangerous snow fields. Two were last seen stopped at the beginning of a snow field near Watchman's Tower along the rim. Did they turn back or slide down the slope? We don't know because no one saw them do either but we were worried as traffic came to a long halt approaching the base of the snow field where they were last seen. Of course it was along an area in which construction was underway so that may have been the reason for the stoppage.

All eleven of the hikers that made it to highway 138 crossed the same snow field albeit very slowly and carefully. As we neared the end of the most dangerous section where the rocks that lined the bottom of the slope ended we all slid down in a glissade. It was great fun and a relief after risking broken bones had we slipped earlier.

Why Diamond Lake? The resort there offers hikers a free shuttle ride to Windigo Pass where we can pick up the Oregon Highline Trail, thereby skipping the snow on Mount Thielsen. That offer was too good to pass up. We'll be into our next destination, Shelter Cove, a day early, but we all feel good that we made the right decision.

That was the good news. On another note I embarrassed myself twice today. Once by falling on the road walk along the most dangerous part of the Rim Trail. I stepped on the edge of the pavement and pitched headlong into the hiker in from of me, breaking his wooden hiking stick, but also breaking my fall. He was going to have to look for a new stick. The second embarrassment was my second fall on the trail, just minutes after exiting the road. This one damaged a rib, scraped both a knee and elbow again, covered my wounds in black dirt, but otherwise did no major damage, I think. My elbow blew up with fluid. The other hikers call it a swellbow. "Hey, Solo, how's your swellbow?" I'm sure it will be fine, but my pride has suffered.

Interestingly enough, everyone has injuries. Most are blisters. A couple have knee problems. We should be called the walking wounded. LOL

It's dark now. We're camped in the Hike/Bike area, which has not been maintained for years. The water is on but the bathrooms are locked, even though the lights are on. The others are slowly leaving the campfire for bed. Me too. If only the buzzing mosquitoes would do the same.

Crossing a snow field. A tame one.

Part of a video as the group glissaded.

Selfie.

Eleven of Thirteen.

Hiker Trash on the lawn of the swimming area at Diamond Lake Resort.