It was such a cool feeling to walk into the clearcut, which serves as the US/Canadian border, and see that monument. It looks exactly like the one on the US/Mexican border, and it seems like eons ago that we were there. It's almost surreal to think that we are done (minus what we are calling the "mop up tour" in CA). It has been a dream to do this for so long, and it's a dream that is, for all intensive purposes, realized. For this reason, it was a little emotoinal. I must admit that I got a bit teary, although I almost expected it to be more emotional than it was.
We took a ton of pictures and sat around eating lunch and reading/signing the journal that was there for almost 2 hours.
Then we headed into Canada. It's funny to just walk into another country that way, but we hiked the last 8 miles, and lo and behold, we were in Canada. The trail technically ends at the border, but since it's in the middle of nowhere, we either have to turn around and hike back into the US 35 miles or so to Hart's Pass or walk the 8 miles into Canada to Manning Park. Most choose to walk into Canada.
We hit Manning Park Resort around 5:00pm, and pretty quickly hit the restaurant for dinner (where I'm told by Flippy, who knows French, that the people sitting behind us mentioned how bad we smelled!). We decided to splurge for a room at the Lodge when we realized how cold it was (which made camping not as desirable) and that for an extra $20 total, the three of us could get a hotel room instead of staying at the hostel. It was so nice to be warm, dry, and clean.
The next task is to figure out how we're getting back to the US and how/when we're getting back to Northern CA. I'm sure we'll have more posts coming up with reflections on the hike and thougts on what the future holds, but for now we are just thankful to know we made it: 2663.5 miles, Mexico to Canada!!
PS:We sprung for the hotel room only to have a MOUSE running around! We had to put a towel around the bottom of our door to keep him out. We can't get away from them!
Total Miles:2663.5
Miles Today:20.4
Camp 135:Manning Park Lodge
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19 comments:
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! you guys are my heroes!! Way to stick with it the whole way and pull it off....amazing! (matt and liz)
WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE !!!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS!
I was (mystically) with with you every step!
coach d
So happy for you, Mark & Jess! Come visit us; we have a guest room with no mice ;-)
---Sharon
You guys are BEASTS. Un-be-lievable. I got a blister just reading your last post.
Russ G.
HOORAY! Congrats on making it. You guys rock.
john
CONGRATULATIONS!! You guys are incredible! 1 week of hiking was enough for me, let alone 5 months of it!!! Beasts!!! Looking forward to catching up with you guys!!
Brooke Kind
WOW---you are among the very few to do the whole thing at once. What determination.
Almost any challenge you face will seem easy by comparison!
Welcome back to the other side of the PCT!!!!
You guys are heroes of the path. We are so proud of you...the talk of the Division. And that during Fall Summit is quite a feat!
Well done
I've been reading here for what seems like months. Oh yeah, it was.
Super job peeps.
Congratulations to you both. Incredible accomplishment and to do it together is even sweeter. Possibly the pinnacle of recreational companionship. Enjoyed checking in on your blog and getting updates on your progress through Coach D. Thanks for sharing.
Phil Woodbury
Way to go!!!! That's so awesome!
California.
Oregon.
Washington.
And a smidge of Canada.
Incredible!
Jeeeeaaaaalous. ;) WAY TO GO! YOU DO IT! What a trek. perseverance of that magnitude is something to admire. I admire you for your accomplishment! Way to chase your dreams...
Dave
You are both amazing!!! Way to go!!!
I have read this blog from start to finish and it has been almost as good as being there with you. Well, maybe not:-)
Can't wait to see you and talk to you both sometime soon.
Burt
An elite club has now granted you entry... Actually, you walked the thousands of miles and kicked down the door of the club to grant yourselves entry!
Well done!
-DD
!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice.
So proud of you two. Unbelievable journey.
Thanks so much for being faithful with the posts. Absolutely loved them.
Hope to see you two soonish.
Jaggers
Thinking about how long ago it was that I was hiking a few miles behind you puts your hike into perspective. I can't believe you've been walking THAT WHOLE TIME.
Simply unbelievable. Great job you guys!!!!!
If you're down in the LA basin or if you need anything, let us know!
Josh
Mark and Jess-- WAY TO GO!!! I'm so happy for you guys that you were able to accomplish what you set out to do, that is AWESOME! I got the creeps every time I read about a mouse in your tent, and I can't even imagine having a bear at your camp site the last night! You are troopers, that's for sure! Go finish up in CA and then come home so we can hang out! We've missed you :) Congrats again you two. You're something else!
Still watching closely for your mop up reports...
and for your initial after-the-hike reflections...
Wow! Congrats!!! I am so excited for you guys, what an accomplishment, and something you will never forget. THanks for the picture postcard we love hearing how things are going, can't wait to see you soon.
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