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Planned to hike PCT section J SOBO from July 3-7. I ended up bailing, but the trail, while snowy in places is in good shape.
Took the bus from Seattle to Stevens on Wednesday, had lunch, then took off. Hit some snow patches here and there, and then the first big patch of covered trail just past the icicle creek junction. There weren't a lot of footprints to follow, but after one misstep, ended up back on (over?) trail.
I stopped to fill water, and my sawyer was trickling extremely slow. I back flush frequently, and it worked fine on a hike a month ago. Briefly thought about turning back, but figured I could fix it on trail and boil in the meantime. Met an overnight camper at Mig Lake who filtered a few liters for me. Camped just ahead of the climb to Traps Pass.
Lots of snow on the trail, but wasn't slippery. When I hit the tent site on Traps pass, I immediately regretted not pushing on - fantastic site. The long climb up Piper Pass was snow covered. Not dangerous - just slow going.
I got to Deception Lakes around 12:30, and took some time to work on the Sawyer. It was wedged on the squeeze side, and when I attempted to backflush, it was mostly wedged there too. I eventually figured out that if I sucked on it like a straw that I could get some water out. I wouldn't die, but I wouldn't be happy either. At this moment, a thru hiker came by, and I was able to borrow his working sawyer to fill two liters, and drank a full liter as well.
A few scary looking stream crossings in this stretch, but neither felt dangerous. Just take your time and be careful. Camped at the river before the climb that leads to the peggys pond junction.
In the morning, I drank a cup of water that I boiled the night before, then waded the river and climbed. Once the climb was over (still some snow on trail, but more of an annoyance than a danger factor), it was cruising time as that section is mostly down hill.
However - despite the holiday weekend, day hikers were few and far between, and the thru hikers were now miles ahead of me. I was rationing water, and was feeling dehydrated. A bit after noon, I sat down on a log near the Waptus lake junction, got out a map and did some math. I had now boiled 3 liters of water, and figured I could do 3-4 more liters at most before I was out of fuel. Even with the weekend crowds, I wasn't confident with the odds of meeting folks with filters near water during 90 degree heat for the next ~35 miles.
I hate bailing on a hike, but I also know when I need to bail on a hike. I messaged my family for a Salmon La Sac extraction, and slogged down the Waptus river trail. Lots of day hikers here, so I was able to beg for some water along the way. I was tempted to have my partner drop off a new water filter and head back out, but I was too wiped out and would have too many miles to finish, so I'm back home now - a little bummed, but safe.
Lessons learned - always test your filter before leaving on a multi-day hike (and consider bringing a backup filter as well). I'm usually well-prepared, but took my trusty filter for granted and paid the price.
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