Day 2, 2022 - FS 960 to Bend and the Mt. Thielsen Wilderness

July 18

Near the top of FS 960

Runningbird had checked in a couple of times since stepping on and is doing well. She is happy with her new tent and has already met up with several other hikers. There is still plenty of snow but she is doing well on her planned mileage (22.4) for the day. She is keeping warm enough at night and seems to be in good spirits.

Beau and I slept well and woke in solidarity with Runningbird at 0525 and went for a walk. I had been having an issue with getting a good cell signal and getting photos to upload to the blog so I decided it would be a good day to move in closer to the next rendezvous point and also have some time to do some reconnaissance. After a leisurely breakfast we made preparations for getting underway. Things go so much more smoothly when I’m not in a hurry. Yesterday after I had pulled over to fix the power hitch issue I drove back onto the highway for a mile and then turned up the Forest Road to our spot. When I got out I found I had left the side storage door opened and my fly rod hanging on by one loop. SLOW DOWN! Anyway, we moved on up highway 97 to another Forest Service Dispersed campground just outside of Bend. It certainly was nicer at the 960 site but logistically better for scouting and the cell service is marginally better.

Today Runningbird passed Mt. Thielsen and the highest point on the PCT in Oregon and Washington at 7,560 feet. It should all be down hill from there, right? Also, near Windigo Pass (5,820’), someone decided to do some “trail magic” and ventured up a Jeep trail and left a bunch of bagged up bacon, Hard-boiled eggs, sliced orange peppers, bottled water, and beer. Nice! When Runningbird has called me the reception has better than we get at home. She also had heard from some of the hikers that were on the trail well ahead that the part of the trail that had been closed due to fire damage was opening up and she wouldn’t have to jump ahead. I called the National Forest Service for the area to confirm and was told it wasn’t official yet but it would probably be confirmed in a day or two and to call back. This would add some miles and change our logistics up a bit but it’s good news. The down side is that Peggy wants to bump up her daily mileage a bit. Hmm. I have thoughts on that and will keep them to myself. She’ll need more cocoa and Ramen.

Spot screen shot, Summit Lake, OR

I hadn’t gotten a track on her since mid-afternoon and then in the early evening I received two spots and then the normal “I’m OK” message. A few minutes after that came the “Default Message” which we have designated as the “I need you to rendezvous with me at the next possible opportunity”. And then I received another of the same message. Well, something was up. Did she fall in the lake right after the I’m okay message? Was she hurt? Phone not working? Jeez. What the heck. I mapped out where she was and, if I could get there, at best it would be a couple of hours. It would be dark by then and I felt it would be foolish for me to wonder around unfamiliar forest roads in the dark. I decided to prepare for an early morning rescue attempt and try to get some sleep. Even if I couldn’t sleep Prudence, whoever she is, would tell me to wait for first light. I set my alarm for 0345 and turned off the lights.