09/27/05 Stopping at Snoqualmie
After hiking straight through from the Canadian border, Rabbit and Tabasco finally took a zero-mile day yesterday in Snoqualmie, WA. They've had some foul weather, but the flip-flop will allow them to get through higher elevations before the temperature really drops and significant rain and snow arrive this fall. Before we know it they'll be back in Oregon!
09/11/05 Rabbit & Tabasco at Canadian Border
Rabbit and Tabasco, after taking a bus up to Portland for a few days and then a train to Seattle for a couple more, left today for the Manning Park trailhead in Canada to begin hiking southbound from Canada through Washinton state. Hopefully they will beat most of the rain and snow, though we are already having some high mountain snows for them to deal with here in mid-September. There are 16 new journals starting with Aug 20th. We have posted about 55 new photos starting with Batch 13a, so check them out!
08/26/05 Done with Dunsmuir
Yesterday Rabbit and Tabasco/Wifeless made their way to Dunsmuir, CA to run errands and resupply. Once they reach the highway near Ashland, OR the two will probably skip ahead together to try to outwit the weather -- they're just not sure yet exactly where they'll go.
A bunch of new journals have been posted, starting with August 11, the day before Rabbit returned to the trail.
Lately Rabbit's camera has been uncooperative. We hope to poach some photos from other hikers, but don't know when.
If you're planning to send something to Rabbit, the Mail Drop list should only be trusted as far as Ashland, OR. At this point Rabbit isn't sure where he'll hop to after that. As always, the list is subject to change.
08/22/05 Back on Track!
Well, we'd been keeping our fingers crossed, but now we're happy to report that Rabbit has been hiking again for about a week and has worked back up to a 25-mile day. After re-starting the trail at Belden, CA with some old pals, Rabbit and Tabasco have broken away from the pack and hit Burney Falls State Park today. The infamous foot has been tender, but cooperative, particularly as it's been able to enjoy a few zero days easing back into the big miles. Consequently, the new pair is already behind the latest schedule by a couple of days, but at least Rabbit is back enjoying the journey!
08/11/05 Rabbit Heading back to the Trail....Finally!
Belden, California is the destination tomorrow, Friday the 12th for Rabbit to get back to the trail. Belden is about 400 miles north of the point where Rabbit left the trail on July 3rd. He will be rejoining Phantom, Happy, Bad Moon, and Whoop Ass and should be experiencing heat and mosquitoes and trail food and none of those comforts of civilization in just a few more hours!
08/02/05 Rabbit still hanging out in Portland
So it's been nearly a month since Rabbit has been out on the PCT working his way north to Canada. The foot continues to heal slowly and Rabbit will be doing some test hikes in the Portland area before returning to the trail. Best estimates are a return to the trail in the next seven days, so stay tuned!
07/26/05 Rabbit back in Portland
Rabbit here....back in Portland after a couple days trying out the foot on the PCT. It's not quite ready for 20 mile days and lots of wet trail, so I'm back in Portland letting it heal some more. Soon I'll be back to the trail doing as many miles as my body will let me. Maybe I'll finish this year, maybe not, but it's all good and part of the journey and what is...is. Glad to be back at the West Coast home away from home and would love to hear from you!!
07/03/05 Slow Going in Snowy Sierras
About a week ago Jeff checked in from Independence, CA where he was taking a well-earned 0-day. After fording waist-deep streams, postholing for days through deep snow, crossing Forrester Pass's terrifying ice chute, finishing Mt. Whitney (high of 39˚!) and straining to breathe above 10,000 ft., his feet and the rest of him needed time to recover. The new group (which holds staff meetings to pick routes since the trail is burried) detoured off the PCT to resupply, concerned that with their slow pace they might run out of food before reaching Vermillion Valley. Fewer than a dozen other total hikers are ahead of Rabbit's group, who by now are pushing toward Yosemite Nat'l Park.
Batch 10 has tons of new photos and TEN new journals are up!!!
Rabbit is now in the Sierras from Kennedy Meadows and the Mail Drops have become a bit unpredictable. He's still on track, but we really don't know when he'll get to the next drop site.
06/22/05 No News Is ... About What We Expected
He's several days into the Sierras by now, and, as anticipated, Rabbit hasn't been able to get a cell phone signal to call us yet. It's been confirmed that he did pick up the packages containing crampons and ice axe, so Rabbit is well-equiped for this snowy segment of the trail. We trust all is well as he continues hiking with new companions who have covered this terrain before. Meanwhile, journals from previous days keep arriving even if Rabbit's phone calls don't, so you can catch up on his prior adventures as we wait for news of more.
06/18/05 Kennedy Meadows After 50 Days of Hiking!
Rabbit called from Kennedy Meadows where he is days ahead of Phantom, Doodlebug and many others who are struggling with stomach flu and leg/knee problems. He is fortunate to be doing well, and even more fortunate to have found a new group of thru-hikers who have PCT experience from prior years. They are heading into the snowy Sierra Mountains tomorrow -- Rabbit has decided to press on with them for the moment. There are 13 new journals starting with May 27th, and batch 9 has some new photos.
06/12/05 Tons of new Photos! Several new journals!
Ashley talked to Rabbit on Thursday (june 9th) where they had reached Tehachapi, California. The gang has decided to head on towards Kennedy Meadows, and at this point, to start trekking into the snowy Sierras. Though when you see all the new photos of snowy and rock-slide covered trails they've already had to conquer at lower elevations, you can see that they might have to change their minds about the Sierras. There are about 80 new photos starting with batch 8, and three new journals starting with May 24th...and more are coming soon.
06/05/05 Seven New Journals and 35 New Photos!
Rabbit called yesterday as they left Agua Dulce to resume the trail with a somewhat improved Phantom foot. There were 16 people at Anderson's house--trail angels who open their home to thru hikers--so Rabbit slept outdoors. They can now see the Mojave Desert in the distance, but the forecast is for cool temps in the mid-80s which is far better than the 120s that could hit this time of year. See the 7 new journals starting with May 17th and 35 new photos in the 7th batch. The gang is headed for Tehachapi, then Kennedy Meadows to decide about attacking or bypassing the snowy Sierras.
Mail Drops can be made up to Kennedy Meadows, but nothing should be sent beyond there until further notice!!!
06/04/05 Three New Journals and More Tomorrow!
Three new journals posted today starting with May 17th. News, photos, and more journals to be posted tomorrow.
05/30/05 One Month of Hiking So Far
Rabbit, Phantom, Doodlebug, & Good To Go should arrive in Agua Dulce trail town today after a month of hiking. Rabbit is feeling good, but Phantom is still having foot problems and Doodlebug is still sick, unfortunately. Hopefully some good TLC in the trail town will help!
NOTICE: Rabbit's mail drop for June 8 has changed to Tehachapi!!! Please do not mail anything beyong Tehachapi until further notice--they need to decide what to do about hiking the snowy Sierras and the Mail Drops will probably change.
05/26/05 60 New Photos--Leaving for Agua Dulce Friday!
Rabbit called today from Wrightwood, where now Phantom seems to have inherited the lame foot, but they're heading out to Agua Dulce tomorrow anyway. We finally got a chance to post 60 new photos in batch 6. Snakes abound! Check out the updated links page for websites of lots of Rabbit's friends he is meeting on the trail!
NOTICE: Rabbit's mail drop for June 8 has changed -- he will be heading for Tehachapi instead of Mojave!!! Please see the Mail Drop page for updated information.
05/22/05 Moving Towards McDonald's and I-15
Rabbit called--a gaggle of thru-hikers are all halfway between Big Bear City & Wrightwood. Lots of heat, lots of snow, but everyone is doing well. Rabbit's foot is almost normal! They are eargerly headed for a McDonald's where they cross I-15--anticipating hot fudge sundaes and cold Cokes, the simple pleasures in life! Lots of new journals starting May 12th and lots of new photos coming soon!
NOTICE: Rabbit's mail drop for June 8 has changed -- he will be heading for Tehachapi instead of Mojave!!! Please see the Mail Drop page for updated information.
05/21/05 No News, But New Journals
We haven't heard from Rabbit in a few days, but we have gotten his mail. Journals are now posted through May 16, so read all about it...and be glad it's not you out there!
05/14/05 New stuff abounds--5 journals & new photos!
The last we heard from Rabbit and Phantom was a few days ago as they forest road hiked around Fuller Ridge because of deep snow. Note that Phantom's Mom has started entering his journals at this site.
05/012/05 Idyllwild Redux
Calling in from Idyllwild (again), Rabbit reports that their last day of hiking was...interesting. Deep, deep snow buried the trail and forced them to rely on map, compass, and ice axe to navigate for four miles past Saddle Junction. At that point the PCT became impassable, so they took a side trail back to town. Today they'll hike on highway, forest roads and other trails to rejoin the PCT past Fuller Ridge.
05/08/05 Idyllwild Reunion with Phantom After 28-Mile Day
As the 2nd longest mileage he has ever hiked in one day, Saturday was a 28-mile trek for Rabbit (in 10 hours and 10 minutes with rests). Then another 15 miles today to catch up with Phantom in Idyllwild, CA where they bought ice axes for the snowy trail ahead. Except for blisters, his foot is doing a bit better. A "zero day" (rest!) tomorrow in Idyllwild--where they are calling for snow--before Rabbit, Phantom, Mikey Mouse, and many more face a very icy mountain ahead! Click here for a big topo map of where they are now.
05/07/05 Lucky Rabbit's Foot--Hopping and Hoping Again
Rabbit had another rest day yesterday with a ride in to Temecula, CA to see a very nice podiatrist who did an X-ray and MRI to confirm Rabbit's foot is okay enough to keep hiking. Tendonitis is the diagnosis--buying boots in upcoming Idyllwild trail town is the prescription. MANY kindnesses from strangers--borrowed cars and rides in town--in Temecula amazed Rabbit. Thanks to all for your assistance. Phantom is a day ahead--they should meet up in Idyllwild. Rabbit now hiking with Mikey Mouse and some Portlanders. It snowed this week in Idyllwild, so they'll be "drifting" soon. Happy trails! And see the newest photos and jourals if you haven't already.
05/06/05 Back on the Trail -- Read all about it!
Rabbit managed to find an arch support and do some surgery on it to hopefully help his aching foot. Keep your fingers crossed as he and Phantom hit the trail today to test that theory. As they keep moving closer to this year's record-deep snow they're thinking seriously about skipping ahead on the trail until the Sierra Mountains become more passable. They still have several weeks to make that decision, so stay tuned... And be sure to read Rabbit's first trail journals. Hint: He's already thinking a lot about food!
05/05/05 Rabbit Rests
Rabbit called from the Warner Springs resort. He and Phantom (who's celebrating his birthday today!) had planned to spend last night four miles out of town and then hike in today. But, after hearing reports of upcoming rain they decided to push on ahead for a total 25-mile day. Today is a zero-mile day with laundry, good food, and possible visits to the mineral hot springs and/or masage at the spa. Maybe Rabbit's unlucky foot just needs a little reflexology!
05/2/05 An Unlucky Rabbit's Foot--and a Better Video
Got a phone call from Rabbit watching sunset in a colorful canyon. He & Phantom are trekking along in spite of some unlucky Rabbit's foot causing him arch pain. Will be in Warner Springs on Thursday for a mail drop. Met some trail buddies and bestowed a trailname of "Good-To-Go" to a hiker from Helena, MT. Got a huge cheesburger on their first night, so don't feel too sorry for their eating conditions. They can see snow ahead of them in the San Jacinto mountains; there is lots of trail talk of skipping the Sierras for now.
05/1/05 First journal, a video, & more photos are here!
Rabbit and Phantom hit the trail at 7:22am PST on April 29, 2005. I (Eric, Rabbit's brother) dropped them off in misty 42-degree weather--the first time it had rained in Campo on this date in 10 years and with record cool temperatures. They were in great spirits--thanks especially to a hiker named "Mike" who shared with us his home-made lemon-flavored liqueur for breakfast! It's very strange seeing the U.S./Mexico border fence and the PCT trailhead in the middle of nowhere. Happy and safe hopping, Rabbit and Phantom!
04/30/05 Video of Rabbit and Phantom Starting the PCT!
Rabbit and Phantom hit the trail at 7:22am PST on April 29, 2005. I (Eric, Rabbit's brother) dropped them off in misty 42-degree weather--the first time it had rained in Campo on this date in 10 years and with record cool temperatures. They were in great spirits--thanks especially to a hiker named "Mike" who shared with us his home-made lemon-flavored liquer for breakfast! It's a very strange place seeing the U.S./Mexico border fence and the PCT trailhead in the middle of nowhere. Happy and safe hopping, Rabbit and Phantom!
04/29/05 Rabbit & Phantom are on the trail--see photos!
- I (Eric) just got back from San Diego dropping Rabbit & Phantom off at the PCT trailhead at the Mexican border. A few photos here...come back tomorrow for some more photos, some changes to the site, initial journal, and even a video! I gotta' go to bed for now!
- Click here for the latest maildrops to send him care packages. And go sign his Guest Book if you haven't already! Safe hopping, Rabbit!
- Batch 2 San Diego photos now here.
04/24/05: Rabbit and Phantom leave April 29th
- Join Rabbit on his trek along the Pacific Crest Trail which runs 2663 miles from the Mexican border up to Canada across some of the most rugged mountains in the United States. Rabbit and pal Phantom leave from near San Diego, California on Friday April 29th! Click here for the latest maildrops to send him care packages. And go sign his Guest Book if you haven't already! Safe hopping, Rabbit!
