I have to keep this short, my battery is about to die, but I wanted to share with you all a sad loss for the PCT.
‘AsAbat’, for years, has put together a water report for all of us hikers in Southern California. It would have info on where to find the water , where caches were that people leave for the hikers, and info on how much or little water flowed from seeps, creeks and streams. This is pertinent information for us all.
Last Wednesday, at Shelter Cove Resort, a couple was providing trail magic for PCT hikers. AsAbat was there with his wife, as she drove him around so he could section hike southbound on the PCT. We spent a good few hours together talking trail and gear. His wife, at one point, said most women get most of the closet in the bedroom, but she had little room in HER closet because AsAbat’s backpacking gear, and collection of 5 bear vaults, took up most of the space.
Thursday, Katherine, Banana Pants and I passed him on the trail, spent a few minutes chatting about our day (he’d mentioned that he pushed himself too hard while trying to flee the dust kicked up by a horse on the trail, so he went around the horse, and pushed fast ahead so he wouldn’t be in the way). Katherine took photos of us together, and we said our goodbyes. Later that night, he failed to check in with his wife, and she called the authorities. It seems AsAbat passed away, seemingly of natural causes, that night at his campsite.
This is such sad news, and I feel terrible for his family. I feel honored that I stood next to him in what may be the last photo taken of him. He was a kind and giving man.
Here’s a link to his water reports, so you can understand how he helped us out…
http://www.4jeffrey.net/pct/a.htm
The story in the news… http://www.ktvz.com/news/Searchers-find-overdue-hiker-s-body-at-campsite/-/413192/16081450/-/9eml0/-/index.html
and the photo of us, Thursday at 2:30
Banana Pants, Myself and AsAbat
