Smiley

Greetings! My name is Christopher Smiley. I am a twenty-year, retired veteran of the United States Air Force, MBA graduate from the University of Arizona, and survivor of stage IV head and neck cancer. I currently reside in beautiful Bend, Oregon, although I could be considered a nomad - having lived in a dozen states and multiple countries as both a military brat and service member. I spend my time cooking for family and friends, while daydreaming of my next big outdoor adventure. I will be living out my dream of hiking the PCT on the 8th of March, 2024. I have dreamt of hiking this trail since falling in love with backpacking as a young teen in Southern California. Some 30 plus years later... my time has come. I hope to see you on trail, or hear from you soon. One step at a time! - Smiley

Posts

Stay Gold in Tehachapi

Stay Gold in Tehachapi

If trail angel (TA) homes were graded on the same scale as hotels, the home of Jason aka Stay Gold would easily be a 5-Star

Apr 28, 2024 : Smiley
Days 46 & 47: Miles 529.3 – 558.3 (Tehachapi)

Days 46 & 47: Miles 529.3 – 558.3 (Tehachapi)

It amazes me how quickly information travels on the PCT. Technology certainly helps, but it’s the desire hikers have to watch after one-another

Apr 27, 2024 : Smiley
Days 42 – 45: Miles 485.8 – 529.3 (L.A. Aqueduct)

Days 42 – 45: Miles 485.8 – 529.3 (L.A. Aqueduct)

You really need to be proactive in replacing your shoes well before they lose their cushion… a lesson I am learning the hard way. I noticed

Apr 25, 2024 : Smiley
Days 38 – 41: Miles 444.3 – 485.8 (Lake Hughes)

Days 38 – 41: Miles 444.3 – 485.8 (Lake Hughes)

I can’t tell you how happy we are to be going Northbound (NOBO) again. The San Gabriel Mountains were beautiful, but there was so much unnecessary

Apr 20, 2024 : Smiley
Days 34 – 37: Miles 424.3 – 341.9 (Wrightwood)

Days 34 – 37: Miles 424.3 – 341.9 (Wrightwood)

It is amazing to me how hikers will find a million different routes to take for the same stretch of trail. Between highways, forest service access

Apr 16, 2024 : Smiley
Days 31 – 33: Miles 444.3 – 424.3 (San Gabriel Mountains)

Days 31 – 33: Miles 444.3 – 424.3 (San Gabriel Mountains)

The term “Thru-Hiker” is a loose term surrounded by controversy among the hiker community. You might hear a different definition depending on the

Apr 10, 2024 : Smiley
Days 29 & 30: Miles 317.9 – 341.9 (Cajon Pass)

Days 29 & 30: Miles 317.9 – 341.9 (Cajon Pass)

Backpacking in the rain takes a lot of careful planning and forethought. One must always be thinking about plans to either stay dry or get dry, and

Apr 5, 2024 : Smiley
Days 27 & 28: Miles 298.5 – 317.9 (San Bernardino National Forest)

Days 27 & 28: Miles 298.5 – 317.9 (San Bernardino National Forest)

Our favorite trail angel, Melody, picked us up from our hotel in Redlands. Our plan was to re-enter the PCT at mile marker 250.3 before Big Bear.

Apr 4, 2024 : Smiley
Days 24 – 26: Miles 225.5 – 298.5 (To Be Continued…)

Days 24 – 26: Miles 225.5 – 298.5 (To Be Continued…)

I’ve been watching PCT hikers on YouTube and other social media outlets for years. There seems to be a recurring theme every year and every year is

Apr 2, 2024 : Smiley
Days 22 & 23: Miles 209.6 – 225.5 (Mission Creek aka Mission Abort)

Days 22 & 23: Miles 209.6 – 225.5 (Mission Creek aka Mission Abort)

MISSION ABORT!! MISSION ABORT!! If you are a hiker and you are contemplating entering Section “C” going NOBO towards Mission Creek, please

Mar 28, 2024 : Smiley