Adventure On the PCT

For the best information on planning your Pacific Crest Trail Hike go to:

www.adventureonthepct.com





They have tons of great info, a discussion forum, and all the links you'll need to start planning your PCT hike. I highly recommend this site!

Off the Trail

Trail Journals, Part VII

Three new pages, which chronicle August 14th and the climbing of Mt. Shasta.

Video from Mt. Shasta

Dear People of Ashland, Oregon

Dear People of Ashland,

You're really going to have to start making some changes if you want to convince people not to move here. For starters, you need to stop picking up hitch hikers and taking them home with you and telling them that they can stay with you as long as they want. Also, when some stranger asks you where the post office is, you might want to try telling them to "get lost" rather than driving them there and then taking them to your garden and loading them up with your homegrown fruits and veggies. And perhaps you shouldn't be inviting them to a bbq where you're grilling up a fresh steelhead you just caught that morning, served with roasted corn on the cob and a nice selection of cheeses and local microbrews. Also, inviting them to your Reggae show, where you get them in for free, isn't helping matters either. likewise, buying pizza for out of town strangers and loading them up with healthy snacks for the road from the co-op isn't really sending the appropriate "message". And don't even get me started on the free Shakespeare performances in Lithia park, healthy people riding bicycles every where, hip-hop poetry jams, smiling people asking "How's your day?", beautiful weather, an amazing library, and a bounty of wild delicous blackberries, oh and your own ski resort??? Sheesh! In short, Ashland, you suck!

Thank You Young's!

Just wanted to say thank you to Dan and Lila Young who hosted Groomsmen, Twisted Sister, T-Bird and myself at their home in Castella. You guys are amazing and we all had a wonderful time with you! Thank you again for your kindness and incredible hospitality.

Check out the new photos to see all the all the fun we had with the Young's!

Mail Drop Update Etna and Seid Valley = NO

Due to possible re-routing as the result of wild fires please DO NOT send me anything to Etna or Seid Valley until further notice. Thanks!

Old Station Got Trail Angels!

Great big giant THANK YOU's to Dennis and Georgi Heitman, my most kind and generous trail angel hosts for the past 2 days! These guys are incredible, not only do they have every hiker on the trail stopping by, but they also serve breakfast and dinner every day! (Oh and they happen to live in the coolest house ever, with an even more cool TREE HOUSE in their back yard, oh and calling it a tree house is like calling the Taj Mahal a flat, stay tuned for photos!).

So last night, Twisted Sister, and Groomsmen and I headed up to hike to the peak of Mt. Lassen. I had been admiring the beauty of this mountain for the past several days wondering if I would ever have the opportunity to hike to the top, wishing for that chance. So when Twisted Sister offered to drive us up, I about jumped out of my seat.

We hiked up at sunset and as we neared the top, watched the most incredible orange full moon rise from behind the distant mountains. It made me laugh out loud, it was so beautiful.

When we got to the top Twisted Sister surprised us with a round of Fat Tire Ales and we toasted Lassen Volcanic National Park's 90th Birthday. Happy Birthday Lassen!

The thing that never ceases to amaze me about this journey is the kindess of strangers, and my continued joy of discovery. I am truly blessed. Thank you everyone.

Love,

Chai Guy : )

Lose 40 lbs. NOW ask me how!

Hey Everyone,

Just an update to let you know that I am safe and sound in Old Station, CA. I've got a LOT of journal writing to catch up on (I know!) but I wanted to take advantage of this computer time to give you a few updates:

1. I saw my first bear on the trail! He was a full grown adult brown bear and he (or she?) was beautiful. I came up a small ridge and saw it before it saw me. I then "barked" a few times and it ran off (glad to know that my barking technique is good for scaring off bears).

2. I've lost 40 lbs. , and it now looks like my weight has stabilized over the past 2 weeks. I haven't lost any weight since then and I feel great!

3. There are some wild fires up ahead on the trail in the Shasta Trinity, and Kalamath National Forests http://www.inciweb.org/ . We are being advised to find alternate routes around these sections of trail. I just want everyone to know that I will NOT be attempting to go through this fire routes unless cleared to do so by the agencies involved in fighting these fires, so PLEASE do not worry about me. Also I will be checking in (as always) with my brother and he has my route and schedule written down and knows my location, direction and estimated time of arrival at all times. He will notify the proper agencies if I fail to contact him within our agreed upon time. Thanks for your concern.

4. I miss all you guys, and I can't wait to see you again! Please join me on the trail!

Ok, that's it for now. Keep the cards and letters coming, they sure help lift my spirits and I will have new pictures and new journal entries up soon!

Thanks For Everything,

Chai Guy : )