PCT Day 120: Lush Forests, Creeks & Wasps

Daily Miles: 25.8, Total Miles: 2206.5

The wasps found me about the same time I saw the white marker warning on the trail ahead of me. I killed the first wasp that stung my wrist and another wasp stung me on the calf. I ran back aways and planned my next move. Too steep to go around so steeled myself and jogged down the trail as fast as I could. Lots of buzzing but no more stings.

When I got to the next water source, I took a Benadryl and then another when I discovered considerable swelling in my ankle and calf. By that time, my stomach, arms and legs had broken out in hives. I also had a strange sensation like a bubble going down my throat. I thought maybe I had swallowed a peanut the wrong way. Didn’t associate it with the sting until my wife later told me my airway was closing up as well.

Most of today’s hike was also in lush green forest, crossing Trout Creek, Wind River and finally Panther Creek.

Saw what I guessed was fresh mountain lion scat on the trail near Trout Creek and when I later got to the TH near a road, there was a warning sign that a mountain lion was in the area and to be aware of your surroundings.

I climbed Big Huckleberry Mountain and followed close to the crest, finally with a good view of Mt Adams.

I dropped down and followed the Big Lava Bed before reaching Crest CG. After several miles and too many Benedryls, I decided to call it a day – extremely fatigued and stumbling around, I could hardly get my tent up. No dinner, I was asleep almost immediately.