Portland to Coast Leg 1 Walkers

Walkers head out along the Willamette River. They soon cross the river via a bridge to walk down the west bank of the river. The course then leads to Highway 30. Each walker is supported by a van, usually highly decorated (Van Gallery).

Teammates make sure their walker has water and other needs met during her leg. Legs vary from 3.5 to 7.5 miles long. The end of the leg is called an Exchange; there's a hand-off area where the Portland to Coast wristwrap "baton" is passed to the next team walker.

After six legs, the team hands off to their second van at a big exchange in St. Helens, Oregon, along the Columbia River. From there, the course heads into the Coast Range on narrow roads. By sunset, the first van takes over again in the town in Mist, Oregon and proceeds into the night. My favorite walking is walking at night in this area, with absolute darkness but for the moon and stars and occasional passing vans and walkers. Van 2 takes over again near Olney, Oregon for the final set of legs to reach the beach in Seaside, Oregon.