fattymcsnax

Does a bear shit in the woods?

Alright. Heres an example.

One day I was hiking near squaw valley, and stopped at a river to refill my water and have a snack. A group of guys that were out for the weekend came by and we just started exchanging pleasantries. They offered me snacks (example 1.)

I continued walking north and met this old guy on the top of the ski hill and he was just so enthusiastic when talking to me, it was as if he had just spotted big foot. His encouragement put a smile on my face (example 2.)

I got about 20 miles down that day and got to a spot that was just so perfect that i put down my bag and searched around for my GoPro, so I could take a picture with me in it — It wasn't there. Shit. I sat and debated if i should go back and find it. Surely I left it by the river when I was chatting it up. I looked at my maps and saw that the city of Truckee wasn't too far away and that I could at the very least maybe catch a ride into town and then hike back the next day.

As I was decending down to the road this trail runner ran past me. Side note, This is the area where western states, a gnar 100 mile race is held. I stopped him and asked if he live in Truckee, he look at me, said "Yeah, you look like a thru hiker, need a ride? I'm just going to finish running to the top of this mountain and I'll meet you at the bottom by my truck." (example 3)

I squeezed into his truck with his 2 dogs and we started chatting it up. I was impressed by his ability to crush 100 mile races and he was impressed by my ability to walk day after day. I told him about my camera and that I thought that i was going to walk backwards and get it. He offered to drive me back to where I think I had left it. At that point I had already started to think of it as gone, and was feeling defeated and just wanted to be dropped off at a grocery store so I could buy a nice 6 pack of cold ones to drown my sorrows. He said, nonsense, I have beer at home and a bed for you to crash on. He was the nicest guy ever. A carpenter, he had built this beautiful house and true to his word, let me stay there. He also gave me some beer and ride back up to the trail the next day (example 4)

I decided it was as good as gone, that section of trail was busier than most other sections and there is no way that the camera would be there by the time I would get to it. I kept walking north.

A few days later I got to Sierra city and was enjoying a cold one. A hiker buddy of mine, Gear Slut, came up to a group of us hikers and asked "Anyone lose a goPro" — I shot up gave him a big hug and he handed over my beloved camera. (example 5)

So thats just a story about a few days of exceptional kindness of people. I think i mentioned Trail Angels before — these are people that purposely go out of there way to help as many hikers as they can.

I'm going to go out there this year and sit by the road and hand out cold ones to fellow dirtbags. Gotta return the love somehow.

It happened everyday! I wasn't out on the trail alone there are a large group of about 700 or so people who attempt to thru hike the PCT in one season every year. My fellow hikers would become best friends after walking with them for just a day. Walking with someone is a great way to get to know each other — You can talk about so much and the miles fly by.

Aside from fellow hikers, there are what we like to call 'angels' all along the way. People who live in trail towns who go out of their way to lend a helping hand: A ride into town, a shower, laundry, beer, burgers, beds.

When you got to town, rather, when you arrived to a place where the trail met a road, you never knew who was going to pick you up (or if you were going to get picked up.) I came to love this little interactions. It reminded me that people are good. I also loved the not so subtle way they would roll down their windows as we drove into town. (Hiker stench is a truly unique and repulsive odor)

I left April 6th and ended September 6th. I took 3 weeks off. A week to visit friends in San Francisco, a week in Portland to high five my hipster brethren, and a week where I flew down to LA to road trip with a beautiful woman (my now lady friend) up through Yosemite and northern California.

Wow! Such coin! Much Nature! Exploration! Many Adventure!