Camp just below Buckhorn Summit as the sun comes up and Yak looks at me like I'm crazy for wanting to get up so soon. Well, we did have more than 20 miles to go before getting to Seiad Valley, home of the famous PANCAKE CHALLENGE as featured on the Travel Channel and very. last. town. in. California.... (TV rots your brain by the way)


Smoke from the wildfire settled in the folds and crinkles of the northern California landscape.


Bobcat prowling in the morning light on some wicked cliff with a wicked drop next to where we slept.


Giant 8 inch long Banana Slug! The one and ONLY that I've seen on this whole hike. Maybe more lurk in the northern wastes?


Sitting at the table in the Seiad Valley Cafe reading an article on Machu Picchu of all places. More weird coincidences and "signs" in there that I won't mention, but dangit there are some things a man can't escape. We didn't even attempt the pancake challenge (Eat five one pound pancakes in 2 hours and they're free ... only 16 people have done it successfully in 27 years!) because it takes up the entire griddle and there were a bunch of bikers in there. I heard that Yeti (another hiker) got through 3 and a half, so good on ya mate!