Monday, December 10, 2012

Successful River Crossing???

Hiking on the PCT you have options. If you're not a "purist" (someone who ONLY follows the trail and doesn't take side trips) you have many possibilities.  One of these options is to take the old PCT. This section of the trail isn't maintained and offers a rather sketchy log crossing over the raging Suiattle River. Hikers have the option of taking the old route or taking the new trail which supposedly has a nice bridge crossing. I was down for adventure. Go figure. The group I was hiking w was all on board as well. It was a fabulous decision! 
(This picture doesn't give the full "treacherous" experience)

Now... don't get me wrong I was definitely apprehensive about this. I have terrible balance as is, let alone walking over a slick log above a roaring river. But the thrill and the experience was what drew me in. 

Now I have a TERRIBLE success rate of crossing streams, rivers, basically any form of watery obstacle that should appear in my way. So this crossing had me on edge. I literally was so apprehensive I was shaking. As I sat on the edge watching each of my hiking buddies brave the log my adrenaline began pumping. God forbid I fall....

Everything was going smoothly at first. I hoisted myself up onto the fallen tree and began placing one foot in front of the other. I thought to myself *this isn't so bad Sara. However, the further out I walked the more I was aware that falling would lead to a "series of unfortunate events." Just keep going. One foot in front of the other. One Step At A Time

The ground underneath me slowly changed from loose gravel, mud, then BAM raging river (all within about about 5 feet). I kept walking. 

Little did I know that it was going to take Hollywood and Walking Stick so much time. I should have waited longer, but I just wanted to be on the other side of the river. As I approached the middle of our death ridden tree I halted to a complete stop. 

(How ever you get across.. as long as you make it!) 

As I stood listening to the sound of a kajillion gallons of water sailing directly under my feet I began feeling less and less capable. Damn balance issues. It is incredibly difficult to focus on staying still when the ground underneath you is thundering and you can feel the spray of the water on your face. I tried to focus my attention on stillness. You can imagine how easy this was... NOT.

Little by little the boys made their way across to safety. This was my big break. I took the leap of faith and went for it. Quickly and confidently I strode on right to the other side.....


(No I didn't butt scootch) 

 I made it! We all made it! When my feet finally reached solid (non moving ground) I took a big breath. I MADE IT! The person who always falls in, the person who is always getting herself injured... I made it across w out donating blood. Success. We all made it safely. Blood Bank had a win!

Taking the Old PCT was such a great decision. Walking through the un-maintained trail was like walking through a scene of Jurassic Park. Everything was how it should be. There were so many obstacles in our way, a million tree blow downs, uneven ground, going over, around, through, and beneath all of them was refreshing for me. I thoroughly enjoyed that section of the trail. Hooray for making it across safe and sound. It was a very rare "win" for me, but even the "fails" were epic and what made my journey that much more amazing!

Blood Bank



3 comments:

  1. Go figure.. What's with adrenaline junkie status? Soooo glad you made it. It waa interesting to see all the other hikers who did the butt scoch. Sara-- you rock!

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  2. Christopher iPod CondapDecember 10, 2012 at 11:25 PM

    That second picture looks familiar somehow ...

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    1. Perhaps... : ) haha such wonderful photography skills ipod

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