Posts
Thinking About Hiking the PCT? Here’s Where to Start (Especially if You’re in the UK)
If you're anything like me, at some point the thought of doing the PCT popped into your mind and, for better or worse, refused to leave. You tell yourself all sorts of stories. You’re scared. It's expensive. It's a long time to “just” be walking. You wonder what else you could do with five months of your life. And, well, what about the bears?!
You Rescued a Dog? Like, on Trail?
A little while later, there he was. A large white dog with big brown eyes and a little blue doggy backpack. He stopped. He stared. And swiftly turned on his heel (paws?), running as fast as he could the other way. This was kind of problematic: his owners were walking in the opposite direction. It was essentially my presence that had caused him to run even further from them. Oops.
Setting Foot on the PCT: A Strange Time to Rest and Recover
I thought I would be scared, terrified even, as I set foot on this 2,650 mile long trail. And yet it felt normal. It had all felt normal - setting up my tent the night before at CLEEF. Going to bed early from exhaustion. To think I was looking forward to the trail to be able to rest more, finally. It seemed laughable really. No one in their right mind looks forward to the start of a 5-month trek as their time to rest and recover, right? In fairness, part of the chaos of the last week has been the preparation, which was a marathon in itself. Finally being here, and even forcing myself to take more time, was perhaps a healing in and of itself.
Preparing for the PCT while traveling the world: everything you’re not supposed to do
What if you're halfway across the world with a 70L backpack that's hardly ultralight (weighing in at 5lbs on its own), only a few hiking clothes from your trip to Nepal, and no plans to return home before heading to the US? Add in the need for a VISA to stay beyond 3 months, and suddenly you’ve got a bit of a logistical nightmare on your hands!