Nostalgia

This journey has been all about nostalgia: nostalgia for my previous PCT hike, nostalgia for Cindy’s last long distance hike, nostalgia for our life’s journey together that is reaching its final chapter. As we tackled the Stevens to Snoqualmie stretch through the Alpine Lakes Wilderness we experienced another type of nostalgia, the nostalgia of encountering hikers we’ve met before for the last time.

Most of this particular bubble of thru-hikers we first met in Oregon. Knowing that these thru-hikers are near the end we congratulated Red, Whitewater, Snail Trainer, Freedom, Shredder, Simple Soul and Feast. We had a special connection with folks we spent time with at Olallie Lake and our farewell wishes were a little more poignant for Anchor, Solitude, Salsa, Brunch and Trail Dancer. Charissa got to chat with Trail Dancer at length when she back hiked to meet us with Cindy’s medications. The second and final encounters with Jeebee Jeebee and DC were particularly meaningful as well.

Tops on the list of nostalgic partings were people we met multiple times. Trail Dancer falls into that category, as does Jay and Liz. The latter couple were getting near their home in British Columbia. Each time we’ve met it seemed like old friends.

Jay and Liz

We encountered Ms. Frizzle, Pedi and Soapbox in all three states, a nostalgic trifecta. As for that, if I had to pick the single most nostalgic parting for me it would be Smitty, first met north of Sierra City. A chat we had back then about zoning in on our true priorities, at a time when I was figuring out how this journey should continue, made it into one of my blog posts.

Smitty and others made it clear that the nostalgia was mutual. For Smitty and others, encountering the ultimate flip-flippers for the last time was yet another reminder that their special journeys were nearing the end.

Smitty

Our own journey continues on until Thanksgiving, in whatever form it continues to evolve. There may be some more repeat encounters in store for us, this time with southbounders or other flip-floppers. One hopeful reunion is with One Track, with whom we spent some quality time at the Cascadia Inn near Stevens Pass.

All the thru-hikers we’ve met have been warm and supportive for our own, different type of journey. Just entertaining the possibility of future reunions eases the nostalgia I feel for these thru-hikers. If only such a simple trick could be employed for the other aspects of nostalgia on this journey.