Pacific Crest Trail - Day 152 - McKenzie Pass
Start: Mile 1960.3
End: Mile 1985.3 - McKenzie Pass / OR 242
The ”shortcut” we took yesterday set us up with 25.0 miles into McKenzie Pass where we planned to catch a ride into Bend with my friend Rich, who is an incredible photographer.
After a stretch walking for nearly two weeks straight and ~25 miles for 7 out of last 10 days, my feet developed blisters on the back lower part of my heels and in front of the middle of the balls of each foot. With Kristin’s help, I administered the blister routine that has kept our feet in decent shape to this point: clean, drain, neosporin, KT tape and knew it was going to be a long day where I’d feel every one of 50,000+ steps.
The blisters on my heels have formed under (because of?) callouses where my heel meets my insole and have been really difficult/painful to drain so I’ve been using an emery board to both remove the callouses and smooth out my heels which alleviates the friction that caused the blisters in the first place.
A fresh pair of new, as yet untested, La Sportiva Jackal IIs awaited me in Bend. I optimistically sent them to Bend after purchasing them in Ashland 215 miles back thinking the shoes that I started wearing in Old Station, CA at mile 1374 would hold out for 616 miles. Dumb. Feet are important on a through hike. Lesson learned.
I had a thought yesterday that even though my blisters were painful and excruciating in a dull persistent manner, they didn’t really factor in to whether we could or would finish this stretch because we are prepared to alleviate them with first aid, mentally tough enough to endure relatively minor injuries, and at this point resilient enough to overcome challenges way beyond tender feet. Finding a way off trail never really crossed my mind - what’s 50 miles anymore? No big deal.
What a difference 12 hours makes - the smoke from the Flat fire had nearly dissipated.
Walking through 25 miles of any place in the world will have some interesting variation. This day was off the charts.
Obsidian Falls. Not the place to step in for a barefoot shower!
Mt. Washington, Three Fingered Jack, and Mount Jefferson ahead looking North.
I definitely did a double take seeing this bit of trail in the distance and where it was taking us.
This tree was incredibly photogenic.
Kristin psss psss psss’d this guy and he turned around for a portrait.
Wildflowers and lava rock.
Incredible stretches of all colors of volcanic rock.
The last mile to McKenzie Pass was easily the most difficult yet. Walking on ankle breaking lava rock with blisters on the front and back of your feet after 24 miles at a brisk pace was not particularly pleasant.
We managed to beat Rich to the rendezvous point at McKenzie Pass by 30 seconds. So stoked to see him and for a day or two of rest and relaxation in Bend.