Pacific Crest Trail treks

Editor’s note: The Columbian is following the progress of two through-hikers attempting to walk the 2,650 miles of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail from Mexico to Canada. Updates are published as they become available.

Anthony Mannello, 27, of Vancouver, reported in on Friday from South Lake Tahoe. He is preparing for the next leg of the PCT.

Once out of the Sierra Mountains, Mannello made good time. He may need a new pair of shoes after the past few weeks of soaked trail.

And yet while done with Sierras, Mannello says he misses them.

“I feel as though I’m watching the love of my life walking away. I feel I didn’t really get to know her yet she is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever known…I know there is a lot of amazing trail left but the Sierras will forever be in my heart. For now, I am heart sick and I am missing my home — my home in the Sierras.”

Morgen Glessing, 22, of Woodland last reported in from Mammoth Lakes in the middle of California’s Sierra Mountains. He was at mile 907.

“It seems every three days or so we get hit with some kind of rain or snow storm.”

Glessing took time to reach the summit of Mount Whitney.

“So far my body has held up great,” he wrote. “I still have not had one single blister and recently switched to a new pair of shoes…I am right on track to finish by the end of August considering this is the hardest section of the trail.”