PCT hiker leaves desert, enters Sierras

Editors note: Two Southwest Washington men are attempting to hike the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail from Mexico to Canada. The Columbian plans to publish periodic updates on their progress heading north as information becomes available.

Anthony Mannello has made it through the desert of Southern California and into the southern Sierra Mountains.

Mannello, 27, of Vancouver had 744 miles of the 2,650 miles of PCT, according to his web post on Monday.

He’s out of the chaparral and into the granite peaks and intermittent snow of the mountains.

In his own words: “This is a beautiful part of the country and as I continue north it will continue to grow in beauty. Three miles an hour is a perfect speed to absorb the land and study the views. It offers time and solitude to really appreciate the world that still exists…..Life on the trail is starting to feel like home and normal life now seems unusual.”