[pct-l] Tattoo Joe Aug. 7 Finish

[Pearson]

Hello All,

Spoke with Tattoo Joe on Tuesday (Aug. 7th) evening resting and eating 
at Manning Park Lodge.  He's still hurting from the 50' near vertical 
fall down a snow chute which hurt his tail bone, some ingrown toenails, 
and serious cracking in his heels.  But hey, other than that he's fine!! 
=-)  We guess a little pain is not unusual being he only took 3 zero 
days.  He asked if we'd post a few things for him on the list.

Joe finished his hike in 79 days, 21 hours and 42 minutes.  He says he 
owed his success to Scott Williamson's advice regarding nutrition on the 
trail as well as his resupply strategies and is incredibly grateful to 
Scott for his help.  He's lost 55 pounds along the way.  He and another 
hiker named Berkeley Bill celebrated their long trips at the terminus 
and walked in from the terminus to Manning Park together.  Berkeley Bill 
will head back south tomorrow (Aug. 8th).  Eric was in Snoqualime 
already on his yo-yo back south.

He also asked that we post a bit of information about the original 
stretch of PCT in Washington between Milks Creek to Vista Creek and 
south of Milks Creek to Fire Creek Pass.  While he and Eric and another 
hiker named Sideshow Bob have hiked this stretch instead of taking the 
re-route, he said he wouldn't advise it unless you're up for a serious 
adventure.  Between the old growth blow downs, head high overgrowth and 
serious trail erosion, it's a nightmare to hike.  He said he'd be hiking 
barely able to see the trail through the overgrowth and suddenly come to 
a cliff where the trail had eroded out and have to back up and look for 
a way to get around it.  The blow downs number between 4-500 in his 
estimation and all huge old growth.  All this in 15 miles!!!  He said if 
anyone decided to take it though, one day extra food is required.  A 
note on the water crossings, the 8" log over the Whitechuck is very 
wobbly and with a 20' drop to the water below, a bit dicey while Vista 
Creek and the Suiattle have crossable logs.

Think that was everything.   Glad the list is back up and running!!

Start Slow and Taper Off