Gathering '98 - Photos

Out in the Pacific the first of the Winter storms pushes away the last remnants of Indian Summer. High in the mountains to the South the first snow of the season falls lightly on the flanks of Mt. Hood. Most of this seasons crop of thru-hikers have left the trail. Those remaining, quicken their pace a step or two. Wary of the cold and snow blowing in.

Down on the river, a paddle wheel boat plies the deep swift currents of the Columbia River.  On the banks, native Indians fish for salmon in the timeless fashion of their ancestors. Standing on planks of wood tacked together and jutting precariously out over river, they dip big nets in fast flowing currents to snag passing fish.

Nestled deep within the gorge of the Columbia River lies the small hamlet of Cascade Locks. One of a couple of towns through which the PCT travels. Standing on the boarder of Oregon and Washington, it's large enough to provide a number of hiker services. Yet small enough to still appreciate thru-hikers.

Facilities for this years ALDHA-West Gathering were generously provided by the Cascade Locks business community.

Hours of work are over, the phones are quite, emails have all been answered, schedules have been made, speakers arranged, dinners arraigned. Dave Cobb, this year's Gathering Coordinator, sits patiently waiting for people to arrive. Wondering silently to himself "What if I threw this party and no one came?"

Any fears were quickly vanished as all arrived. Eager to meet old friends or trailmates and make new ones

Prior to the start of the festivities, we all headed next door to the Charburger to delve into a Mexican Food buffet.

It was easy to tell who had recently left the trail by the mounts of food spilling off their plates. The rest of us were left with dreams and memories of eating hard and looking like Twiggy.

After dinner Bob Turner, ALDHAW President, did his best to corral this unruly group of hikers into an orderly bunch. With promises of slide shows and flapjack size cookies later, it didn't take too much.