Cam Bostock

Camping with the nephew!!

THE END😢 We woke up just before sunrise with the goal of being the first hikers at the northern terminus this morning. It was a blistering cold, wet morning but nothing in this world could dampen our spirits as we walked the final miles of this incredible journey. To be honest, I had mixed emotions during those final steps… Pride for what I had accomplished. Happiness for the people I was with. Sadness that the adventure was over. Relief that I could finally rest. It was a special moment touching that monument, something that had only been a distant goal for so long. Something I had been working towards one step at a time for almost 5 months. I won’t ever forget this morning, completing something few will ever complete. With two of my best mates, @dan and @emma, who I met during my first days on this trail. It’s crazy thinking back to my first steps on the PCT, so many weeks ago. Now the last steps have been taken and I am so grateful for every step in between. Day 139 Distance hiked: 48.1km (29.9mi) Total distance hiked: 4,721.4km (2,933.7mi)

Our last full day… After a very wet night and an arctic cold morning, we arose from our tents to tackle most of the final stretch to Canada. We planned to walk about 26 of the 30 miles today, that way we could walk in tomorrow morning and really take it in. We also knew it was a very hilly day on trail and the weather forecast was not good! Despite the dark clouds, we managed to avoid rain for most of the morning and began seeing friendly faces on trail walking back to Harts Pass after already tagging the terminus. It was a great vibe on trail with so many happy hikers. It was beautiful as well, awesome throughout when the clouds parted. We got some rain in the afternoon but it didn’t dampen our spirits and we pushed on to within 5 miles of the US-Canada border; within reach! Tomorrow will be a good day… Day 138 Distance hiked: 45.2km (28.1mi) Total distance hiked: 4,673.3km (2,903.9mi)

Worth it though. The Pacific Crest Trail: complete ✅

123km / 77mi ☠️ 24 HOURS - as many miles as possible… The 24 hour challenge is a popular one on the PCT, with this particular section of trail in Oregon being the stretch most hikers deem to be the best for getting in big miles. Emma, Dan and I decided to give the challenge a go. I had a lofty goal of 70+ miles for the day which I wasn’t sure was possible but I was willing to give a good shot. We started at midnight with a 3,000ft climb up a fairly technical peak, not exactly the ideal start for maxing miles walked. We knew the trail would become a lot easier throughout the day though and once we got up and over the mountain and the sun rose I started to really pick up the pace. I decided to jog some of the easy downhills to get ahead of my mileage goals and felt really strong for the first 12 hours of the challenge. Even into the afternoon I found myself moving faster and faster, the body holding up really well. About 50 miles into the day there were 2 sets of trail magic within a couple miles which was a massive boost and Dan caught up with me during the second. We pushed on together into the night and I finally started to really struggle at about 65 miles in. We had another 3,000ft climb to finish the challenge and with dark setting back in and the temperature dropping, it was a real grind to the finish. We made it to our planned campsite, nearby Timberline lodge, at 11:45pm, almost 24 hours after beginning. We covered almost 77 miles and I couldn’t not be more proud! Sleep time. 😴 Day 113 Distance hiked: 123.4km (76.7mi) Total distance hiked: 3,755km (2,333.3mi)

To Mexico!! 🤪 Because we didn’t get approved for a Canada entry permit in time, we had to backtrack about 30 miles to Harts Pass(the most northern road access) to get back to civilisation. It was a relaxed 6 miles this morning, full of emotion, as we returned to the road. A lovely local, Annette, picked us up and took us into a nearby town, Mazama. The rest of the day was spent hitch hiking across Washington to Seattle. I’ll spend the next couple days here before flying home to Australia. Can’t wait! Day 140 Distance hiked: 9.4km (5.8mi) Total distance hiked: 4,730.8km (2,939.6mi)

It was a short but wet walk down to a road where a shuttle comes to pick up hikers and take them into the small, remote town of Stehekin. We caught a ride in, stopped at the bakers for some delicious treats and decided to spend the night here to avoid some rain that is forecasted. We set our tents up and mostly just relaxed with other hikers in town. We did get laundry and resupply done and I managed to edit some videos as well. We will be back onto trail tomorrow for our final stretch of this incredible journey. It’s going to be an emotional end, I can feel it. 🥹 Day 135 Distance hiked: 13.1km (8.1mi) Total distance hiked: 4,543.9km (2,823.5mi)

Today is an exciting day - we are officially heading into Yosemite National Park. The PCT skirts the edge of the park which is where we will setup camp and tomorrow we will make the trek into Yosemite Valley to enjoy the iconic sights and sounds. It was a beautiful day on trail as we crossed Donohue Pass and walked along the Tuolumne River amongst vivid meadows. The mosquitoes were out as usual but I was too excited for Yosemite to care! Can’t wait for tomorrow! Day 58 Distance hiked: 33.2km (20.6mi) Total distance hiked: 1,739.5km (1,080.9mi) #pct #pacificcresttrail #yosemite

Today was the Mt Whitney approach day. A cool half marathon to a side trail campsite that will be our launch point for Whitney tonight. I’m feeling some effects of altitude I think, very fatigued and a slight headache. But made it camp with no real issues and spent the afternoon sleeping and relaxing. We will wake up at midnight tonight for a sunrise summit attempt of the spectacular Mt Whitney. I cannot wait! Day 45 Distance hiked: 21.1km (13.1mi) Total distance hiked: 1,372km (852.5mi)

Washington is beautiful, and so very hilly…☠️ Between yesterday and today, it might be the most mountainous section of trail so far. Huge vertical gain and loss makes for some tough walking that’s for sure! We climbed and descended multiple big ridges today and while it was hard, the views continue to deliver. We planned to walk some big miles today to make tomorrows walk into our next resupply a little easier. It was slower than anticipated with our legs definitely feeling pretty fatigued- 128 days of walking might be catching up to us. We walked into the night again which seems to be becoming the norm and setup camp. To Stevens Pass and the town of Leavenworth tomorrow! Day 128 Distance hiked: 53.4km (33.2mi) Total distance hiked: 4,327.6km (2,689mi)

A cruisy morning into Red Meadow Resort to take a bus into Mammoth Lakes for resupply. We aren’t taking a zero day here but will take most of today off which is close enough! We will head back onto trail tomorrow towards Yosemite National Park for the next big side mission! Excited. Day 55 Distance hiked: 6.4km (4mi) Total distance hiked: 1,682.1km (1,045.2mi)

Just out here hiking.💕

Today was really hard… Dan, Emma and myself all seemed to struggle today. The mixture of huge elevation change and long days in Washington is definitely catching up to us I think. We decided to push hard again today though to make it out to Stevens Pass and catch a ride into the small town of Leavenworth for resupply. We will actually take a day off tomorrow, the first in over 2 weeks, which we are really looking forward to. It was obviously a spectacular day on trail as well, as has become completely normal in WA. Big climbs brought awesome views and we passed by pristine alpine lakes and walked stunning single track brimming with wildlife. We made it to the road after a marathon walked and Leavenworth reindeer farm graciously offered to host us for our time off trail and picked us up. Thanks again guys!! Day 129 Distance hiked: 44.2km (27.5mi) Total distance hiked: 4,371.8km (2,716.5mi)

The highest point on the PCT - Forester Pass. We awoke before the sun this morning to make the big climb up to the pass, hoping the snow would be hard and easily traversable. It was a spectacular morning filled with colourful skies and the ascent to Forester Pass was tough but enjoyable. The pass itself was amazing, views of both valleys and the surrounding peaks - incredible. We descended in more snow and made it back to the valley floor before taking a side route over Kearsarge Pass to make our exit. We’ve spent 6 full days in the Sierra Nevada and we are keen to resupply and relax in the town of Bishop for a day! Day 47 Distance hiked: 37.5km (23.3mi) Total distance hiked: 1,452.6km (902.6mi)

Today was a lovely Nero from Bishop. We returned to the PCT via Kearsarge Pass and camped a few miles away from our next on-trail challenge; Glen Pass. It’s supposed to be more difficult than Forester Pass, although not quite as high. I’m stoked to be back in the Sierra Nevada, the next week towards Mammoth Lakes should be incredible. Day 50 tomorrow! 🥳 Day 49 Distance hiked: 13.5km (8.4mi) Total distance hiked: 1,466.1km (911mi) #pacificcresttrail

Today was a lovely day off at Timberline Lodge to recover from a massive day yesterday doing the 24 hour challenge. We ate at the buffet twice, explored the iconic lodge and even spilt ourselves with a room for the night. We will get some good sleep before heading back to trail tomorrow. Day 114 Distance hiked: 0km (0mi) Total distance hiked: 3,755km (2,333.3mi)

We had a goal of 30 miles today so we could make it to a highway tomorrow to catch a ride into the town of Bend. The terrain was really gradual and we were crushing miles all morning at great pace. It was beautiful forest walking as we entered Three Sisters Wilderness and began getting glimpses of the incredible alpine mountains in this area(Mt Bachelor, South Sister). Just after mid day we passed by an off trail that led to Elk Lake Resort and because we were well ahead of schedule today we decided to walk the couple miles in. We had some great food and milkshakes and spent about 2 hours chilling here with other hiker friends. Eventually we got back on trail and our lightning pace continued, arriving at camp before dark with 33 miles covered. Day 105 Distance hiked: 53.2km (33.1mi) Total distance hiked: 3,529.3km (2,193mi)

Almost there…🇨🇦 It was an arctic morning, very hard to get out of my tent. Temperatures are dropping as summer is in the rear view mirror and it’s supposed to rain during our last few days as well. But regardless we did get moving nice and early and were treated to an incredible sunrise and swirling clouds amongst the mountains we were walking through this morning. We crossed paths with old trail friends today and covered some good miles on mostly lovely trail. Our goal was to reach the iconic Hartz Pass for camp which is the last road access on the PCT. We made it there after over 27 miles walked and settled in for a night of rain. We are 30 miles from Canada, we will get really close tomorrow! Day 137 Distance hiked: 45.4km (28.2mi) Total distance hiked: 4,628.1km (2,875.8mi)

Midnight start! Our alarms went off as day 46 began, and we arose to tackle our biggest challenge yet - the tallest mountain in the contingent USA, Mt Whitney. It’s an iconic PCT side trip for a reason, with most thru hikers taking advantage of the opportunity to make the summit. It was a surprisingly warm night as we begun walking, shorts and sun hoodie was perfect. As we slowly ascended, the temperature dropped and the air thinned making each step more difficult. I luckily had no issue with altitude sickness(unlike some other high peaks I’ve summited) and we arrived at Whitney Peak about 30 minutes before sunrise. It was an amazing vibe on the summit with many hikers sharing a once in a lifetime experience. The sun peaked the horizon and illuminated the Sierra Nevada and it would have to be one of the best views of my life. So special. The descent was a lot easier and the trail in daylight was pretty damn epic. The gang napped for about 4 hours back at camp before we headed out for another 8 miles or so to an awesome little river camp near Forester Pass which we will cross early tomorrow morning. Forester Pass is the highest point on the PCT itself at over 13,000ft. Should be a fun one! Day 46 Distance hiked: 43.1km (26.8mi) Total distance hiked: 1,415.1km (879.3mi)

Big day out! 😴 It was another beautiful Washington day on the Pacific Crest Trail. Views of Mt Rainier popped out at the top of every climb and we walked through awesome single track amongst expansive forest. We are hoping to make it to Snowqualmie Pass tomorrow as early as possible so we decided to push into the night once again to get in some extra miles today. I met a bear while alone in the dark so that was fun. We were moving pretty fast all day so managed to get in one of our biggest distance days on the PCT. Tomorrow is resupply and a chance for a little rest before tackling the second half of this state! Day 125 Distance hiked: 56.6km (35.2mi) Total distance hiked: 4,211.7km (2,617mi)