Anna Smiley

Howdy fellow trekkers! My name is Anna (trail name Spooky) and my favorite activities are sleeping and eating waffles! I hiked the first 1,200 miles of the PCT in the summer of 2018 and will be finishing the trail as soon as I can!

Posts

The Problem with Isolation on a Solo Thru-Hike

The Problem with Isolation on a Solo Thru-Hike

I'm back. I know, I wasn't really missed, but I have some serious tea to spill (as the kids these days say). Well, it's my own tea, and I just feel

Feb 27, 2019 : Anna Smiley
Finding Purpose in the Sierra Nevada

Finding Purpose in the Sierra Nevada

Miles walked: 1,153, but I’m not currently on trail. Read on to find out why. I guess this is a more personal post about my Sierra experience than

Aug 22, 2018 : Anna Smiley
Discouragement, Sweeping Landscapes, and the Sierra

Discouragement, Sweeping Landscapes, and the Sierra

Miles walked: 1,060 Audio: The sweet sounds of the Sierra, since both my portable chargers died and I needed my phone for the GPS. Whoops! Hearing

Jul 26, 2018 : Anna Smiley
Out of the Frying Pan, Into the… Freezer?

Out of the Frying Pan, Into the… Freezer?

Miles walked: 700 Audio: see below I’m way sorry that I’ve been MIA for so long. I had reliable internet in Tehachapi (mile 566), but had no

Jul 12, 2018 : Anna Smiley
The Power of Harry Potter, Naps and Nutella

The Power of Harry Potter, Naps and Nutella

Miles walked: 454 Audio: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,

Jun 1, 2018 : Anna Smiley
Altitude Sickness, Australian Rap, and Trail Families

Altitude Sickness, Australian Rap, and Trail Families

Miles walked: 265 Audio: The rest of "Blood Red Road" by Moira Young, "Alexander Hamilton" biography by Henry Jones Ford, various music (see links

May 29, 2018 : Anna Smiley
In Which I Focus on the Little Things (plus some big cows)

In Which I Focus on the Little Things (plus some big cows)

Miles walked: 150 Audio: The rest of Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson, the beginning of Blood Red Road by Moira Young, SYML, Rooney, Sleeping at

May 19, 2018 : Anna Smiley
It Begins…

It Begins…

Miles walked: 42. Audio: the first half of the novel Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson.

May 9, 2018 : Anna Smiley
T-73 Days: How I’m Mentally Prepping

T-73 Days: How I’m Mentally Prepping

This is how I'm mentally preparing for my thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail!

Feb 13, 2018 : Anna Smiley
T-100 Days: Physical Preparation For The PCT

T-100 Days: Physical Preparation For The PCT

Am I physically preparing for the Pacific Crest Trail? While many thru-hikers start hiking cold turkey, I've decided to focus on specific exercises and actions to help me prepare physically for the PCT, which I start in 100 days!

Jan 17, 2018 : Anna Smiley