[pct-l] International PCT hikers galore

[Ron Graybill]

Yesterday I hiked southbound along the newly opened (as of last Nov)
section of the PCT near Idyllwild. (168.7>162.7). Passed more than 40 NOBO
hikers--probably half of them from outside the US. One from Denmark, two
from Sweden, two from Switzerland, three from France, four from Germany,
one each from England, Tasmania (Australia), New Zealand, and Israel. (and
perhaps some I've forgotten!).  Of course there were also hikers, as Sam
Bush says "from Portland East to Portland West and back along the line."
Well, not really Portland West, but one from Maine and two from Seattle, as
well as from Maryland, New York, Ohio, Georgia, Texas, Alaska, Colorado,
and several other states.

Actually, I hiked up the Spitler Trail from Apple Valley Road, thence south
on that section of the PCT, then down the Cedar Springs Trail.  Lots of
cold wind on the ridges and lots of elevation changes on a hike like
that--tough on my 74 year old frame--but I made it, and even had a bottle
of water to give away to a hiker worried about his dwindling supply just
before I headed down the Cedar Springs Trail.

Ron "Slow-Charger" Graybill