Written by John Swart – From October 2014 – I am VERY happy (possibly ecstatic) to report that I completed the Pacific Crest Trail. I reached the Canadian border (mile 2,660) last Sunday about 6 p.m. and hiked eight miles to Manning Park, Canada on Monday to exit the wilderness. After aContinue Reading
Written by John Swart – From September 2014 – Adios, My Dear Friend Oregon – September 1, 2014 – Happy Labor Day, All! I hope you are engaged in leisurely, fun activities—like hiking, for instance. I’m currently reposing at Cascade Locks, a small village in the Columbia River Gorge. I’m contemplatingContinue Reading
Written by John Swart – From August 2014 – Welcome to Oregon – August 8, 2014 – Greetings, all! – The very formidable, fiery, smoky state of California has finally been put behind me after 1700 miles and 104 days (give or take a few). I feel very fortunate to haveContinue Reading
Written by John Swart – From July 2014 – Heavy Truckin’ to Truckee – July 4, 2014 – I’m currently in tourist-gorged, beautiful Truckee, taking a day of rest and revitalization at a trail angel’s home before forest re-entry early tomorrow. After last report from Bridgeport, I embarked on a ratherContinue Reading
Written by John Swart – We’re picking back up on John’s adventures hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. – From June 2014 – Striking Scenic Gold in the Sierras. June 6, 2014 Hello from Bishop, California. At last report I had just entered the mighty Sierras and have now had over a week of hiking throughContinue Reading
Written by John Swart – From May 2014 – I’m in Tehachapi, California, a small community about 2 1/2 hours north-east of Los Angles. Tehachapi is in the very cool, often windy, high desert at an elevation of about 3500 feet. I hiked into Tehachapi through what one local claimed isContinue Reading
Written by John Swart – From May 1, 2014 – From Mountain to Desert – Greetings from the dry, windy desert. I left Idyllwild a few days ago and entered the San Jacinto Wilderness, where I climbed Mount San Jacinto, which towers 10,834 feet over the desert above Palm Springs. The terrain was alpineContinue Reading
Written by John Swart – From April 22, 2014 – So after my very decadent night in Julian, I was totally renewed, refreshed (albeit a bit sick), and ready to crank out some miles. An incredibly nice gent named Darien hauled me the 12 miles back to the desert floor so I couldContinue Reading
Written by John Swart – From April 18, 2014 – Phone updates, April 16 – A 180-degree turnaround: I’m back in my cathedral. Hiked 20 miles to Lake Morena. Beautiful chaparral countryside with swaths of wildflowers, intriguing rock formations, and mountains in the distance. Only a single (albeit maddening) glitch: theContinue Reading
