PCT Day 111 – PCT Mile 1849.9 to 1879.8

July 23, 2026

Total PCT miles: 29.9

Non PCT miles: 0

Total: 29.9 miles / 48.1 km

Total elevation gain: 4249 ft

Total elevation loss: 4360 ft

Steps: 69181

Remaining Distance: 775.2 miles

I have to admit, Oregon hasn’t been quite what I expected so far.

After the incredible scenery of the Sierra and even Northern California, I thought crossing into Oregon would bring another dramatic change in landscape. Instead, much of the trail has been winding through long stretches of forest with only the occasional opening. It’s still beautiful, just in a quieter way. I think my expectations were probably a little too high after everything the trail has shown me over the past few months.

The highlight of the day came early when Mount Thielsen came into view. Its sharp, jagged summit stands out from everything around it and made for easily the best scenery of the day. Knowing the next reliable water was a long way off, I filled every bottle I had, carrying four litres away from the viewpoint. Somehow that water lasted me the next 22 miles all the way to camp, which is probably pushing my luck more than I’d like to admit.

The rest of the day settled into a familiar rhythm. I leapfrogged Oscar a few times, crossed paths with two southbound hikers, and otherwise had the trail almost entirely to myself.

Oregon has felt surprisingly lonely compared to California. There are long stretches where hours pass without seeing another person, leaving plenty of time to think while the miles quietly tick away beneath your feet. Today I hiked pass the highest point on the PCT in Oregon and Washington. Here I thought Washington would be higher.

By the end of the afternoon I realized I was feeling much stronger than I had expected. When I started the day, I never imagined I’d be knocking on the door of a 30-mile day, but somehow I rolled into camp at mile 1879.8 with 29.9 miles completed. It was one of those satisfying reminders that sometimes your body is capable of more than your mind gives it credit for.

Camp for the night was at a water cache, and waiting there was a cooler with just two cold drinks left inside. After nearly 30 miles on a warm day, I don’t think I’ve ever appreciated a cold drink quite so much.

If everything goes according to plan, tomorrow should bring me into Shelter Cove a day earlier than scheduled.

Unfortunately, there was also some discouraging news today. The Ptarmigan Fire has forced the closure of the Pacific Crest Trail approaching the Northern Terminus. Canada still feels a long way away, but it’s strange knowing that the finish line is currently inaccessible.

Hopefully firefighters are able to get the fire under control and the trail can reopen before I get there. But that’s not normally what happens with remote fires that have no immediate impact to critical infrastructure. For now, all I can do is keep walking north and hope the situation improves over the coming weeks.