A Happy Introduction to My Coming Journey

My name is Alexandria, trail name Pocahontas, and I’ll be blogging for The Trek for the 2019 hiking season.

I did my first long-distance hike on the Appalachian Trail in 2016, having never backpacked before in my life. I’m now madly in love with thru-hiking and long-distance backpacking, and can’t-stop-won’t-stop adventuring at every turn.

After the trail, I moved to the great adventure state of Utah.

I am totally in love with the place. It’s a far cry from my hometown of Atlanta, GA. Talk about an outdoor mecca.  My favorite things to do here (besides hiking, of course) are rock climbing and snowboarding. I work at a ski resort and have fallen in love with the desert, the Wasatch Mountains, and all of the spaces in between.

In 2018, I hiked the Colorado Trail. A few months later, I hopped on the Timberline Trail in Oregon. Both of these journeys were so fulfilling, and have me totally ready for the next big adventure.

In May, I will be setting out on the Pacific Crest Trail and hiking from Mexico to Canada. I’m excited to share the journey with you all.

About my trail name: Pocahontas.

It was half chosen and half given. When I was a little girl, I was obsessed with Pocahontas. I wanted to be her. My mom took me to the theater to see the movie as a wee toddler and told me that when the credits rolled, I started bawling, because I really thought I was going to get to see Pocahontas!

Anyway, upon telling people on trail this story, the name kind of stuck. Plus, I have really long black hair that I often braid flowers and autumn leaves into (the colors of the wind, of course), am a spiritual nature dork that feels at home in the woods and the mountains, and sometimes I even sing while I hike.

Furthermore, Disney’s Pocahontas is a badass. She’s a trail-running, white-water rafting, tree-climbing, cliff-diving, fearless, and independent lady who likes to keep the peace, makes her own decisions, stands up for what’s right, and is loyal to her tribe. All things I approve of and would like to aspire to. ?

Then, on the Colorado Trail, all those lazy stoners out there affectionately decided that Pocahontas was too many syllables, and promptly and efficiently shortened it to Poco. This was fine, too. We’ll see which one sticks out on the PCT!

Anyway, I am super excited for this journey and all the adventures to be had in the coming months. I’m stoked to write while on trail and take lots of drool-worthy pictures for you guys.

Till next time. Happy hiking 🙂

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Comments 1

  • Pantry : Mar 7th

    It was too many syllables! Speaking as one of “those stoners out there”, you’ll always be Poco to me:) Much love and light on your coming journey, my friend!

    Reply

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