Neon and Onnamove

These are two of the coolest people I've met on the trail.  Both well educated and amazing conversationalists but still fun and relaxed. He's an engineer and she's an artist.  Check out her work at onnamove.com

The Oregon Border!

Finally made it to PCT mile 1699 - the Oregon/California border.  Found some sweet trail magic from Flag Man (Col Fuller, US Army Ret). 

Celebrated with Dancing Feet and Not So Bad, Brian, 

Straw and Willy.  I know it's boring to post about mileage but I've hit some important landmarks: Mile 1700 and my 4 month anniversary out here. 

Sweet trail lately.  Compact earth softened by pine needles.  Smoky purple mountains in the distance, deer and bow hunters everywhere, bushes full of blackberries, bright orange and yellow warblers, cold, clean water right out of the ground, dirty hippies and 100 feet pine trees!

  Wish me luck!

Moosejaw

 Moosejaw gear stores in Birmingham, Ann Arbor, Boulder, CO and now Natick, MA are the bomb. They have been knowledable and supportive of my hike since the planning stages.  Special thanks to Perry in the Birmingham store, Tom in the warehouse, Kristen in marketing, Lola who runs the Moosejaw Mountaineering FB and to all the Custies who donated their points to buy me a fantastic new pair of trekking poles!  Special thanks to Tom Miedema.  He's done this trail before and he's helped me with information, advice and gear.  Thanks to all of you!

Here's to using your teeth instead of a knife!

Wolverine

Bouncer is cool...

...but his parents are even cooler.  Know what they like to do?  HIKE.  Like, all of the PCT in Oregon and Washington. Know what else they like to do?  FEED HIKERS.  Luckily, we like to eat!  They welcomed me and about a dozen other hikers with breakfast, lunch and dinner while they followed and supported their son, Bouncer.  Unbelievably generous and cool people.

New Pictures

Heading outta Etna to Seiad, which may be closed due to fires.  I have a good buddy, John Cassidy helping me out around the fires.  He knows the California roads like the back of his hand!  Thanks, John!

Enjoy these pics from the last few hundred miles.

Love and food from Camp Champaign

I can ALWAYS recognize my resupply; bright tape, pictures and dark ink.

Would you pic up this guy?

Hee Haw!

Those are NOT my shoes

Fire re-routes

Many, many thanks to Tom Miedama for the boots and Jacket.  And to all the GREAT Moosejaw folks who donated points for my new hiking poles.  

Moosejaw kicks ass!

Drop the Trail Name?

Lately I've been thinking of dropping the name 'Wolverine' and just being called by the name my parents gave me: Christopher.

There are three reasons for this.  The first is that there is another guy out here on the PCT who calls himself 'The Michigan Wolverine' and he's a complete jackass.  I really hate being confused with him and having to answer for some of the stupid shit he's done.

The second is that my hiking hero, Scott Williamson, doesn't use one so why should I?  I read in the Backpacker magazine article on him that he used to go by 'Duck Face' but now he's just Scott - the most amazing hiker to ever strap on a pack.

The third is because when Chris McCandless (the subject of the book and movie 'Into The Wild') was near the end of his life, it became important to him to 'call each thing by its proper name'.  At that point he dropped the name 'Alexander Supertramp'.  Maybe I should do the same.

I always thought trail names were kind of silly but I was given mine by a kid named Celtic Thunder when we were about a week into the Appalachian Trail.  I guess I was glad it was a cool name because not everyone likes their trail name.  Just ask Ass Trumpet, the guy who farts a lot.

What does everyone think?  Thanks, in advance, if you leave a comment below.

TYVEK

Tyvek is made by DuPont and is somtimes called 'home wrap'.  It's used in home construction and is highly sought after by long distance hikers because it's lightweight, waterproof and versatile.  I scored a big piece before I started this hike and got my sister Carol to sew it into a big pocket.  I sometimes slide my sleeping pad and bag inside and use it to cowboy camp.  I also use it to line my tent and keep me and my stuff dry.  Sadly, my Tyvek is wearing out.  Does anyone out there have access to a 12' by 10' piece of Tyvek or a similar product?  Know anyone in construction or someone that works at Home Depot?  I sure could use a new piece but it seems hard to come by.  Any help is much appreciated.