Today our Wanderer headed back out on the trail. He’s got 93 miles to go in the next 6 days, and he’ll end up at Belden, CA at mile 1286 on Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. But right now I wanted to back up and give you guys some additional info that happens behind the scenes out there in the wilderness.

As you can imagine, there are Facebook groups for PCT hikers, two in fact, for the Class of 2018. One run by the PCT Association and then one that is privately managed that it seems more of them use. But both are valuable. They’re closed groups who don’t allow fishing expeditions on their content, it’s for hikers and their peeps only. So I can’t share any of the posts I see there directly with you. So, I’ll have to share these stories here, and hope the screen shots I’ve taken show up.

Trail angels. Every single solitary hiker has relied on these folks at one time or another. There are folks who do Trail Magic (like our friends Tom and Tina did with us. Although there hasn’t been anything even close to that this year since then…that is one for the history books!) and set up all sorts of things for hikers. Water caches, organize rides and pick ups in remote locations where hikers congregate and need rides, and as I’ve mentioned, open their homes and let hikers stay with them. It’s awesome!

Now, let me also back up a say a few more things. Everyone we’ve met has been simply wonderful on the trail. But naturally when you’ve got several thousand folks hiking there are going to be a few who are maybe, less so. There have been a few incidents sadly on the trail of stolen gear, mis-handled trash, and one incident I heard about where hikers behaved badly in a campground. Stuff does happen, although most folks are respectful of each other and they places they visit.

On the Facebook groups, one of the things I noticed recently is the ‘shutting down’ of the northbound hikers (NOBO) in the southern areas. Those who are hiking are past now for the most part, and so trail angels are ending their season and saying their goodbyes. And here is one I just have to share, and it still makes me cry even now as I post it:

What awesome thoughts as she says her goodbyes, and it sums up how I feel every single solitary time I’m out with these folks.

And there are more ahead. I’ve seen two other groups posting on the Groups that they’re setting up and ready to receive the hikers headed to their areas soon. Here’s one group in Burney, CA, which is mile 1411 which Kyle will be at in about two weeks:

And here is another group of folks setting up in a really remote area, Castella, CA which is mile 1501. Looks like they’re offering a spot to cook, take a shower and do some washing in this really super remote stretch. Oh, and by the way, the folks hitting this point have literally walked almost 100 full miles with nothing at all in between these two points. Ready for a shower, are ya?

Just thought you all might want to hear these stories of goodness, love and support for our fellow humans! It warms my heart to know they are out there.