A Final Farewell

One more adventure comes to a close just as several others begin. It’s hard to believe that three months on the PCT has already passed!

After closing out a great last hitch and “buttoning up” all of the tools and gear in Tehachapi, the crew headed down to Scissor’s Crossing, site of their first hitch and a shadeless, waterless stretch of desert for the thru hikers. Bringing it all full circle, the crew shared their last couple of days together making some trail majic for the newly departed batch of 2011 thru-hikers.

They loaded the trailer with water, shade tarps, cold soda, foam swords, kites, as much junk food as possible and water guns, to host a trail-side party that even the weariest of hikers couldn’t turn down. In a 24 hour period, over 72 hikers came through (we couldn't keep up the count) to jump rope, eat twinkies, and relax in the shade. The crew’s sister PCT crew drove down from Joshua Tree to help out with the entertaining, the first reunition since the shared first hitch back in February! It felt good to know that our work is appreciated and a strong community supports our efforts!

Feeling good about ambushing overheated hikers with waterguns all day, the crew slept well under the stars and headed to the airport for their final farewells early on 5 May. But first, there was pie.

Good luck to the hikers and thanks to the hard-working trail crews!

A special thanks to all those who helped make our season a success:

With SCA in Boise, thanks to Chris Sparks, Trevor Knight, Lisa Hawkes, and Ron Hassel. Also thanks to our hardcore sister crew in JTree! Also also thanks to workskills instructor, Steve Hester.

With PCTA, thanks to Brendan Taylor, Sam Commarto, Merrit Hoeh, and Anitra Kass

To our dedicated volunteers, thanks to Levi Andre, Jacintha Roemer, Steve & Dianna Palmer, Roger Wheelock, George Boone, Pete Fish, Dennis Harfman, Dick Blizzard, Jeff Spindler, Bill Carter, Brianne Chamney, Jan Hofstettler, Lonnie Langdon, and Marion Davis.

AND MOST OF ALL, THANK YOU TO A FANTASTIC TRAIL CREW: Corey Hawkins, Alex Drewsie Drew, Danny Ross, Sarah Collins, and Andrew Vitale. Your hard work, positive attitudes, and dedication to service and conservation are admirable. Best of luck in your future endeavors.