September 30, 2011

Start: 2640
End: 2663 (Manning Provincial Park, BC, Canada!)

Today we woke up in the dark again, and again we had a clear sky with stars shining brightly. As we got moving around 6:30, the sky was just getting light as we climbed out of our meadowy campsite to a gap in the ridge. The colors that the sun created with the wispy cirrus clouds above the surrounding mountains was amazing! Possibly the best sunrise of the trip. Mother nature saving the best for last I suppose.

We continued climbing over Woody Pass and up towards the WA high point at just over 7000'. The 360 degree panoramic view of the mountains was incredible! After a nice break there, we headed down the last 7 miles to the Canadian border.

We took the obligatory pictures at the Northern Terminus, in the sun no less, and then set up our stoves for the final trail-cooked meal of the hike. As we were sitting there cooking, the clouds rolled through the sky from South to North, urging us to continue moving into Canada and put an end to this five month long adventure.

As we approached and arrived at the terminus, just like Billy Goat told us, the US Marine Band wasn't playing for us, in fact, no one else was there. It was nice to see the terminus, monument 78, and the clearcut line along the border, but other than that it seemed like just another day on the trail. We still had 8 more mules to go, after all.

Looking back on the entirety of all the miles hiked I can safely say that I have no regrets. I can only hope that the same thought hits me as I look back on my life many years from now.

Sent from the PCT