PCT Day 141 – 145 Sick on Trail
Stats
Start: Dirt Road at Tacoma Pass – Mile 2,365.1
End: Watpus River – Mile 2,428.9
Elevation Max: 5,899
Elevation Min: 2,547
Elevation Change: 20,870 up & down
Walking Time: 19 hrs 52 minutes
Date: 8/21/2022 – 8/25/2022
The Walk
Day 141 – Dirt Road at Tacoma Pass to Snoqualmie Pass (2,365.1 – 2,394.1)
Day 142 – Snoqualmie Pass Zero
Day 143 – Snoqualmie Pass to Tentsite (2,394.1 – 2,403.6)
Day 144 – Tentsite to Tentsite on ridge (2,403.6 – 2,423.6)
Day 145 – Tentsite on ridge to Watpus River (2,423.6 – 2,428.9)
Snoqualmie Pass is the second to last stop on trail. I couldn’t believe we made it. I planned to grab my resupply box, spend one last night in a bed, then head back to trail early. But rumors spread that tons of hikers were getting sick in Snoqualmie.
Fozzie and I decided to do a quick resupply and keep moving on. We didn’t need a bed. But everything changed with 5 miles to go. Fozzie got sick.
The sickness was a 24 hour stomach bug. And thankfully we were in town and could grab a place to stay for the next. I relaxed and enjoyed a day off. Fozzie spent a night getting sick and then a day recovering.
The next section of trail Snoqualmie to Stehekin is the hardest on trail, so we wanted to be as rested as possible. I was happy to take it easy for a day and let Fozzie rest.
The day came to hike out of town and we did an easy 10 mile day. We’ll “easy” for Washington. The trail wasn’t easy, I was pretty tired after the 10 miles with lots of elevation change. And the scenery was beautiful.
The next day we hiked 20 miles. It felt nice to be back to a normal day. I felt great and rested. Ready to push on to Stehekin and the last resupply of trail.
But I woke up at 3 AM and my stomach was turning. I don’t remember most dreams, but that one stuck with me. It was about me getting sick.
I knew I caught the 24 hour stomach bug. Shit. I wasn’t close to civilization. I have to deal with this in the woods.
On top of that, the nearest water was 5 miles away. I didn’t want to start hiking at 3, but I gathered my basic gear in case I had to leave before sunlight or rush out to get sick. My headlamp, trowel to dig a bathroom hole, and phone. Then I tried to go back to sleep.
I tossed and turned for an hour before waking up sick. I scurried out of the tent trampled through undergrowth into the woods. I didn’t want to disturb anyone near camp. I dug a handful of holes and looked up at the stars. Soon I was doubled over with the sickness coming out of both ends.
Normally I would lay in my tent and let this sickness run its course. But that wasn’t an option. I only had half a liter of water. And I already felt dehydrated. It was 4:30 AM and I was in trouble.
After the bout of sickness I felt better. I had to act fast. I had to get to water.
I packed up my gear, let Fozzie know I was walking to water and started. This was the worst few hours of my hike. My stomach was turning. I couldn’t even buckle my pack because it made me sick.
I spent the next two hours walking, and stopping every 30 minutes to dig a hole and get sick. I wanted to curl up and die. I’ll never forget walking down this section, getting a glimpse of a beautiful lake below but not enjoying it.
I wanted more than anything to stop and lay down. But I couldn’t stop. I needed access to water. I eventually made it to a campsite by water. Literally dropped my backpack to the groud, pulled out my tyvek, and curled up in the fetal position.
I made it. I was close enough to water. An hour later Fozzie came by and set up my tent and everything. So kind.
I spent the morning getting sick. I’d much rather be in a town, but at least I had water. By the afternoon I could drink water without throwing up.
Things only got better from there. Thank god it was a short lived stomach bug. I slept well that night and was ready to hike the next day.
