I’ve been section hiking the PCT for the past 5 years and the longest section I’ve done thus far is about 200 miles along the John Muir Trail. I absolutely love backpacking - the sense of accomplishment that comes from doing something physically difficult, the moments of catharsis when you get done climbing to that 12,000 foot pass and the view at the top is both beautiful and earned, the sense of peace that comes with settling into a routine on the trail, and the list goes on. I am excited to get out for a longer adventure on the trail this year!As someone who lives with Multiple Sclerosis, a degenerative neurological condition, longer days on the trail have gotten a bit more difficult these past couple of years. But, gosh darnit, I just love it. So, I’m tossing all my excuses aside and prioritizing spending a couple months on the trail this year. The plan is to hike about 650 miles from Castle Crags in Northern California to Cascade Locke. I won’t be putting down many high mileage days, but I’ll be trucking along out there and I hope you’ll follow along with me. Hey, more time to smell the roses…er, pine needles…right?!
Posts
My 800 Mile Hike Showed Me That a Thru-Hike Was Possible, But Here’s Why I Won’t Do It
After my hike this summer, I feel confident that I could make a solid attempt at a full PCT thru-hike. But, I don’t think I will…and here are some of my reasons why.
Gear List: Thru-Hike vs. Backcountry Camping
Someone recently asked me a seemingly obvious question that changed the way I look at my backpacking gear lists: “What is the purpose of your trip? Is it a hiking trip or a camping trip?” In this post, I’ll break down the gear I’m bringing on my upcoming hike and mention some differences between how I pack for hiking trips versus camping trips in the backcountry.
Fire at Windigo Pass
When the fire broke out at Windigo Pass, we found ourselves just a couple miles to the north. Hiking out was a bit of an adventure!
My Top 4 Takeaways from My First 200 Miles on Trail
A few small takeaways from my first couple of weeks on the trail — two philosophical; two practical.
Ignoring Fatigue: How I Learned That Listening to My Body is Critical to a Long Hike
Losing too much weight on the trail is a potentially adventure-ending prospect for me. So, how am I going to fuel myself for my upcoming hike?
You’re Not JUST a Section-Hiker
Whether you’re section-hiking or feel like your pace isn’t as fast as others, you’re doing something awesome that you set your mind to. For one, I’m making a commitment to myself to stop feeling like such an imposter out there and embrace being a PCT hiker…rather than just anything.
Getting Outside My Comfort Zone
I sat there, my face only a few inches from my wet breath holding onto the edge of my tarp with some unexpected time to contemplate one of the things I love about backpacking: it can force you to get outside of your comfort zone in a wonderful way.