Day 23: 9 December 2019 (PDT Day 2)
We had heard reports that the PDT was long, arduous and boring, and that only about 200 people walk it each year. We soon discovered what arduous meant, as we continued to encounter long stretches of deep, slippery mud and multiple creek crossings. However, boring it was not. Maybe others walked through in low cloud or were so intent on watching their footing that they missed the views. Unnamed mountain ranges, the Western Arthurs and Mount Robinson captivated us as we trudged, ever so slowly, through boggy peaty marshes all day. The wildflowers were spectacular and the foreboding skies created a menacing, brooding backdrop to the vista.
Suddenly we were at the Crossing River campsite and found 2 tents erected but no one in sight. My heart fell when I saw the river, assuming that it was unpassable, but Tim was totally confident. Waist high water, but definitely doable. He chose the spot, we both donned our river shoes, and my first job was to film him as he jumped down and walked over to the southern side with his pack. He then crossed back, took my pack and repeated the trip, before returning for our boots, walking poles and gaiters. On his final trip he escorted me over. 8 crossings in total, and I only did one of them! Again, we were elated that we had got over, and would not have to turn back.
The walking conditions remained challenging, and I was quite weary when we finally trudged down to Watershed campsite about 6 pm. I thought I was seeing things – was that a shed roof? We had caught up with the commercial group, Trek, which had got caught between 2 rivers earlier, and what I had seen was their large light-weight tarp. We had checked out the Trek website prior to leaving and expected that they would always be at least one day ahead of us. But here we were, hoping to stay on a tiny site already overflowing with 7 tents. Our appreciation for the 2 guides, Mitch and Nathan began at this point. I feebly suggested we could walk on (next campsite was 16 km away) but Nathan quickly picked up his tent and squeezed it into a narrow gap between trees to give us space for ours. Thanks guys! We discovered that Mitch knew Justin and had even dropped into our place sometime ago.
We were the last in bed that night, the others settled soon after 8 pm. Their plan for the next day was to cover extra ground to make up for their delay at Junction Creek and we expected not to see them again ….