DAY 119: Sunday, Aug. 24: 34 miles - TOTAL 2,663.5 PCT miles

HELLO CANADA!

We have done it!

2,663.5 miles from Mexico to Canada.

Now to recount this final day!

My stomach discomfort was worse today than any of the last four days. Yesterday, I was not sure if I could do the necessary miles in two days to reach the end and beat the coming rains. As predicted, it began to rain lightly when we reached the border. We were thankful that we did not have to pitch camp again in the rain. Four rainy days in a row last week soaked most of our gear and forced us to stop to dry out, which we did at the Stehekin Ranch.

The remaining northern section of the National Pacific Crest Scenic Trail is memorable. The mountain meadows and the slopes are covered with small bushy trees. It looks like grassy slopes but the ground cover is really small, dwarf-like trees. We watched a bear down in a green valley. It appeared to be searching for food and was oblivious to 3 humans watching him from the PCT high above 'his' valley.

It was a great feeling to clear that last 7,000 footer - knowing that going down Devil's Backbone was the final down to the Border and the finish into Canada. Then to make it extra special, was the fact that I was finishing with two new friends - making two 35 mile days a fitting finish to a very long walk.

Keep hiking all you hikers!

Greybeard