Day 72 – Friday, Aug. 4

PCT Mile 1098.7, Aloha Lake to PCT Mile 1124.8, Barker Pass Trailhead 
Day Total: 26.2 miles

We got moving early this morning because we had many miles to go to meet up with Stephen's friend David, who lives nearby in Reno, Nev., on the far side of Lake Tahoe.

The lake looked beautiful and still as we started walking but we lost the trail in the snow within 10 minutes and had to navigate several more tricky sections. We hiked for two hours before stopping for breakfast.

After breakfast we climbed the last mile up to Dick's Pass, which is the last time we as northbounders will hike over 9,000 feet. It's all downhill from here!

Just kidding.

There were a lot of hikers on the trail, including the most NOBOs (northbounders) we've seen in more than a week.

We met several PCT hikers we hadn't met before, including a section hiker who goes by Snap.

Snap is a photographer and is sponsored by a number of backpacking companies. He asked if he could take photos of us, and we said sure.

He took some photos of us crossing a creek and then later, when we stopped for lunch, he interviewed us about our experience on the trail.

Then came the funniest part.

Snap asked if we could model some things made by the company Hyperlite.

He took photos of me, and then Stephen wearing this incredibly light rain jacket.

And then he told us that they really need pillow models. So Stephen and I each took a turn fake sleeping with our heads on a Hyperlite pillow, positioned so the label was visible of course.

Stephen and I joked the rest of day that we are pillow models now.

The trail is full of surprises!