Greetings from the trail,
Today was a significanly shorter day on the trail than the last few.
I started the day by heading to church with my grandparents. There I caught up with a lot of people who have known me and my family for many years. It was nice to hear the support and congratulations of so many people.
After church, I was dropped off where I'd left off yesterday. About 45 minutes later I had made it the rest of the way to my grandparents place. I couldn't stop marvelling at the fact that I'd actually walked here all the way from Alberta. That's insane.
The rest of the day was spent relaxing and catching up on a little bit of television, which I've been missing for a while. My shoulders are really aching today after boating the day before. I hope they will be okay for tomorrow.
See you on the trail,
Joshua Ganes
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Sat September 8, 2007 - Day 66
Greetings from the trail,
This morning my cousin Matt and his wife dropped me off at Deroche on their way out to Alberta. From there I had a long walk into Mission. I caught a few great views of the Westminster Abbey up on the hill from the distance. After 4 hours I had climbed some hills and made it into Mission itself.
Seeing as I was in the neighbourhood, I saw fit to stop in and visit some friends along the way. It was a nice way to catch a rest. It felt great to pop in and surprise people with my "just in your area" walk.
After spending some time in town, I continued on my way to my grandparents place north of the city. As I was walking about 2-3km from their door, the Stahli family happened to be driving by in their boat. They invited me along, so I left the trail to go for an afternoon of fun.
I had a great time out on Stave Lake. There's some beautiful views there, and it was just nice to have something different to do for a change. Later in the day, I even tried riding the inner tube behind the boat. As it turns out, that was a bad choice. It left my shoulders very sore at the end of the day.
They dropped me off at my grandparents' place, which I still have not quite reached. I plan to take an easy day tomorrow and simply finish the remaining distance to here.
See you on the trail,
Joshua Ganes
This morning my cousin Matt and his wife dropped me off at Deroche on their way out to Alberta. From there I had a long walk into Mission. I caught a few great views of the Westminster Abbey up on the hill from the distance. After 4 hours I had climbed some hills and made it into Mission itself.
Seeing as I was in the neighbourhood, I saw fit to stop in and visit some friends along the way. It was a nice way to catch a rest. It felt great to pop in and surprise people with my "just in your area" walk.
After spending some time in town, I continued on my way to my grandparents place north of the city. As I was walking about 2-3km from their door, the Stahli family happened to be driving by in their boat. They invited me along, so I left the trail to go for an afternoon of fun.
I had a great time out on Stave Lake. There's some beautiful views there, and it was just nice to have something different to do for a change. Later in the day, I even tried riding the inner tube behind the boat. As it turns out, that was a bad choice. It left my shoulders very sore at the end of the day.
They dropped me off at my grandparents' place, which I still have not quite reached. I plan to take an easy day tomorrow and simply finish the remaining distance to here.
See you on the trail,
Joshua Ganes
Fri September 7, 2007 - Day 65
Greetings from the trail,
After a very enjoyable stay in Agassiz, I set out again for another long day. Now that I'm in range, I'm able to travel lighter and to walk farther. Instead of 50+ lbs, I'm now carrying about 5lbs. Instead of walking 20km, I'm now aiming for 30km.
A short while after heading out, I ran into the big challenge of the day. I first had to navigate a narrow bridge construction area. I then was faced with a 12% grade to climb.
Other than those challenges, there was not too much excitement to speak of. I made it to the small town of Deroche where I was picked up by my grandparents. Mostly, I'm excited to be in familiar surroundings. Tomorrow I should make my old home town of Mission.
See you on the trail,
Joshua Ganes
After a very enjoyable stay in Agassiz, I set out again for another long day. Now that I'm in range, I'm able to travel lighter and to walk farther. Instead of 50+ lbs, I'm now carrying about 5lbs. Instead of walking 20km, I'm now aiming for 30km.
A short while after heading out, I ran into the big challenge of the day. I first had to navigate a narrow bridge construction area. I then was faced with a 12% grade to climb.
Other than those challenges, there was not too much excitement to speak of. I made it to the small town of Deroche where I was picked up by my grandparents. Mostly, I'm excited to be in familiar surroundings. Tomorrow I should make my old home town of Mission.
See you on the trail,
Joshua Ganes
Thu September 6, 2007 - Day 64
Greetings from the trail,
After nearly killing myself getting out of my ordeal on Tuesday, I got to my grandparents' place and took a much-needed day off. It was nice to relax - especially when my legs were like jelly.
Today I started out bright and early in Hope. My grandpa drove me out to pick up the trail where I walked through town. It was annoying to give up on two days' progress, but at least I didn't feel like I was repeating work.
After walking out of town, I crossed the might Fraser River. This is one thing I was glad to do. The official TCT crosses it on a ferry. That hardly qualifies as walking.
The rest of the day was a long, but easy walk along highway 7 to the town of Agassiz. I'm staying here with some relatives - Jim and Twylla and their son Bob. They have been very hospitable and welcoming. I'm certainly glad to be done with camping.
See you on the trail,
Joshua Ganes
After nearly killing myself getting out of my ordeal on Tuesday, I got to my grandparents' place and took a much-needed day off. It was nice to relax - especially when my legs were like jelly.
Today I started out bright and early in Hope. My grandpa drove me out to pick up the trail where I walked through town. It was annoying to give up on two days' progress, but at least I didn't feel like I was repeating work.
After walking out of town, I crossed the might Fraser River. This is one thing I was glad to do. The official TCT crosses it on a ferry. That hardly qualifies as walking.
The rest of the day was a long, but easy walk along highway 7 to the town of Agassiz. I'm staying here with some relatives - Jim and Twylla and their son Bob. They have been very hospitable and welcoming. I'm certainly glad to be done with camping.
See you on the trail,
Joshua Ganes
Tue September 4, 2007 - Day 62
Greetings from the trail,
Today turned into the biggest disaster of the trip. It started well enough as I continued my climb up to the pass. I was a couple more TCT signs along my way to let me know I was on the right track. After a steady climb for a couple hours I reached the peak of the pass.
There, the road simply ended. I could find no trace of any trail among the clear-cut patch of forest. There were no signs to point the way. I spend about 30 minutes exploring everything that looked even slightly like a trail with no luck.
I finally conceded defeat and turned back down the mountain. It was after noon when I reached the main road again, and another hour before I hitched a ride. Luckily, the driver was going near Abbotsford; not too far from my grandparents' place.
I'm now sitting in McDonald's waiting for my grandpa to pick me up. Needless to say, I'm frustrated with my situation. I'm anxious to find another way into Vancouver, but don't want to burden my family more than necessary. At least finishing too early doesn't seem like such a problem any longer.
See you on the trail,
Joshua Ganes
Today turned into the biggest disaster of the trip. It started well enough as I continued my climb up to the pass. I was a couple more TCT signs along my way to let me know I was on the right track. After a steady climb for a couple hours I reached the peak of the pass.
There, the road simply ended. I could find no trace of any trail among the clear-cut patch of forest. There were no signs to point the way. I spend about 30 minutes exploring everything that looked even slightly like a trail with no luck.
I finally conceded defeat and turned back down the mountain. It was after noon when I reached the main road again, and another hour before I hitched a ride. Luckily, the driver was going near Abbotsford; not too far from my grandparents' place.
I'm now sitting in McDonald's waiting for my grandpa to pick me up. Needless to say, I'm frustrated with my situation. I'm anxious to find another way into Vancouver, but don't want to burden my family more than necessary. At least finishing too early doesn't seem like such a problem any longer.
See you on the trail,
Joshua Ganes
Mon September 3, 2007 - Day 61
Greetings from the trail,
Today started with a little backtracking down the hill and back up around the lake. I wasn't too happy for that portion as I hate doing the same work twice. Must be a product of my computing background.
After a little while on the trail I was surprised by a family friend from Mission. Chris Stahli decided to come and join me for half a day. It was a long half too. Once again, it was nice to have some company.
After a while we came to a fork between the official and alternate routes listed in the book. A short while later, it was clear that the alternate was not a good option. We went back to the real trail, which was a nice narrow trail through the woods. After lunch, Chris turned back while I carried on. The trail began to climb and hasn't stopped yet. I'm camped beside the road about 1/2 of the way to the top of the pass. It'll be nice to get down the other side. As far as I know, this is the last major climb of the trip.
I am unfortunately missing one good thing from the regular world. Today was the Labour Day Classic between the Eskimos and the Stampeders. Oh well, maybe I'll catch the rematch in a week.
See you on the trail,
Joshua Ganes
Today started with a little backtracking down the hill and back up around the lake. I wasn't too happy for that portion as I hate doing the same work twice. Must be a product of my computing background.
After a little while on the trail I was surprised by a family friend from Mission. Chris Stahli decided to come and join me for half a day. It was a long half too. Once again, it was nice to have some company.
After a while we came to a fork between the official and alternate routes listed in the book. A short while later, it was clear that the alternate was not a good option. We went back to the real trail, which was a nice narrow trail through the woods. After lunch, Chris turned back while I carried on. The trail began to climb and hasn't stopped yet. I'm camped beside the road about 1/2 of the way to the top of the pass. It'll be nice to get down the other side. As far as I know, this is the last major climb of the trip.
I am unfortunately missing one good thing from the regular world. Today was the Labour Day Classic between the Eskimos and the Stampeders. Oh well, maybe I'll catch the rematch in a week.
See you on the trail,
Joshua Ganes
Sun September 2, 2007 - Day 60
Greetings from the trail,
Today was another day of truly fantastic sights. It was also special, as I had company for the trip today. I didn't even have to carry my pack the whole time. Thanks Aaron.
The day started with a walk through the Othello Tunnels, which run through a beautiful, narrow canyon. The trail continued through the forest all the way to Hope. We stopped there to grab a bite before continuing.
The next section was a little busier, but still quite scenic. Thanks to Aaron's excellent navigational skills we all forded the Silverhope creek to get back on track. Well done Aaron! :)
The final section was a long climb up to Silver Lake. It's a very pretty lake with a nice-looking campground nearby. That's where my company left me, while I decided to press on a little further.
I walked down a trail that began to bog down and become overgrown. It got to the point where I was fighting my way through, before I ran into a patch o nettles. This is one of the rare times I've had to make a major track back. I'm camped near Silver Lake again, and plan to get on the right road tomorrow.
See you on the trail,
Joshua Ganes
Today was another day of truly fantastic sights. It was also special, as I had company for the trip today. I didn't even have to carry my pack the whole time. Thanks Aaron.
The day started with a walk through the Othello Tunnels, which run through a beautiful, narrow canyon. The trail continued through the forest all the way to Hope. We stopped there to grab a bite before continuing.
The next section was a little busier, but still quite scenic. Thanks to Aaron's excellent navigational skills we all forded the Silverhope creek to get back on track. Well done Aaron! :)
The final section was a long climb up to Silver Lake. It's a very pretty lake with a nice-looking campground nearby. That's where my company left me, while I decided to press on a little further.
I walked down a trail that began to bog down and become overgrown. It got to the point where I was fighting my way through, before I ran into a patch o nettles. This is one of the rare times I've had to make a major track back. I'm camped near Silver Lake again, and plan to get on the right road tomorrow.
See you on the trail,
Joshua Ganes
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