In about 30 days I will meet my family at Mazama Village, a resupply point at Crater Lake in Oregon. I crunched the numbers, figuring out that I needed to hike 18.4 miles per day to be at Mazama Village on time. 18.4 miles per day doesn't seem too difficult. But I must remember, that number doesn't allow for any zero days... or rather I must hike extra miles (18.4 to be exact) if I am to take a zero day and not fall behind.

At the end of each day on-trail, I would tally up the extra miles I had hiked and added it to the previous day. It became a ritual that helped me greatly getting through some of the more tedious miles of Northern California as well as helped me with my longing to see my family.

Passing through mile 1300 was a great feeling. Knowing that a short distance beyond would be the PCT Halfway Point. At the top of today's major climb (the one I started yesterday evening) I had an incredible view of Mount Lassen. It is the first in line (hiking northbound) of the many volcanic peaks the PCT passes. I also called my dad, with limited cell service I could stand in one particular spot for good reception, but 2 feet away would cause the call to be inaudible.

Traversing back down the hillside, I was looking to stop at Cold Springs for lunch. There I would find Strapless, Vertigo and one other hiker refilling water and eating lunch. I remember this spring was correctly named, being ice cold in 90+ degree weather, it was welcomed with open arms, until I dumped a liter of it over my head. Then all I wanted was to stand in the warm Noon sunlight.

I had hiked about half the distance for the day and after leaving this very memorable lunch spot the trail was mine. Not seeing a single soul until camp, I found myself in a rhythm where the miles passed like a hot knife through butter. There were a few good view points of the surrounding area and even fewer glimpses of Mt. Lassen, but those always brought a smile to my face.

Camp tonight was with Strapless and Vertigo, but there were very few sites by the spring, so I ventured a little ways away from them to find flatter ground in which to pitch my tent. Throughout the night, the deer in the area ran up, down and all around my selected campsite. I would hear stories tomorrow of hikers encountering, not so shy bears. I have fully entered the area known for its unafraid, no good, food eating and midnight sleep interupting Black Bears.

Though I got up early to make it into Belden my mid-day, I was still the last one out of camp. That's fine with me, as long as I'm able to get myself out of camp before the mosquitoes become active. I don't believe that was the case this morning. In fact the mosquitoes were bad enough that I held my business the entire 16 miles to Belden.

Those miles consisted of mostly flat or slightly downhill terrain that was covered with lush foliage and dense woods. As the trail started its final decent into Belden, the view into the valley opened up and I could see the full extend of the hills ahead. In fact, I could see as far ahead as Mt. Lassen, 50+ miles ahead and that made me very happy and excited for what lay ahead. The final decent was anything but easy. Sometimes covered in loose rock and other times covered in slippery mud, the trail switched back and fourth over the last 5 miles to town which was the only way anyone could have made it down the nearly vertical hill side.

Fortunately my pack was light from being out of food and not needed to carry much water, but I was hobbling into Belden as my feet felt the effects of hiking with shoes that have covered 600+ miles, countless snow covered passes and even more raging icy creeks.

This town did not have much in the way of food or gear supplies. The food that was available was nearly 100% more expensive than larger towns and 50% more expensive than other secluded mountain towns. Their restaurant did make one hell of a burger, but their ice cream machine was inoperative! NO!!! It seems a lot of the time when I most want a milkshake, the machine isn't working (example: Day 20 - Cajon Pass McDonald's).

I sent two supply boxes to the General Store. One with food, maps, vitamins and everything else I normally get in a resupply. The second box had shoes and a few gear items I had asked my Mom, who shipped most of my supplies from home, to include as well. The trouble was, the worker who went to get my boxes couldn't find the second box. I sat around for a good hour trying to figure out whether I should stay, or figure out some way to forward the box ahead. I desperately wanted to have new shoes before walking another step on the trail.

Fortunately the owner was around and I had a short conversation about not finding the other box which caused him to go look one more time in the back room. He took me with him this time and what do you know, my box was front and center. Later I'd found out the worker miss heard me and thought I said the second one was an envelope. This small town, though helpful, had an unfriendly feel to it, similar to Hiker Town back in the desert section.

With my resupply all figured out, I was happy to leave Belden with a pack full of food and NEW SHOES! I would continue to hike an additional 6.5 miles which took me half way up the next climb (known for being long and hot). Even though I climbed it in the evening, I can attest to it being hot (very exposed).

At camp I found Simon, the section hiker I camped with the night I left Sierra City, Strapless and Vertigo. We all ate dinner around a fire and got to know each other. All the normal things such as, "where are you from" to "why are you hiking the trail". I enjoyed all of their company.

Day 86 - Thirteen Hundred Miles. 1313.3 (23.1)

Day 85 - Belden Town. 1290.2 (22.4)