Kelly Groen

A 30-year-old woman from the Netherlands, exchanging being 6 meters below sea level for mountains. I'm crossing the ocean in 2022 to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. I cannot wait to dress in the dirt, lose my body weight in sweat, eat cold-soaked couscous for 6 months straight and hike many kilometers (oops. miles!) a day. Truly! Apart from hiking, I like fries with mayonnaise, dogs, fantasy books, and did I say dogs yet?!

Posts

Three months on the PCT: a reflection

Three months on the PCT: a reflection

The last time you heard from me, I was in Big Bear Lake, more than 700 miles South from here. Since then, I’ve finished the desert section and now I

Jul 5, 2022 : Kelly Groen
Julian to Big Bear lake: Through the Anza Borrego desert and into the San Jacinto mountains

Julian to Big Bear lake: Through the Anza Borrego desert and into the San Jacinto mountains

The 14th day I don’t know whether to cry or vomit. I still have 2 miles (3 km) to climb of a peak with a total grade of 20%. It’s the end of a whole

Apr 26, 2022 : Kelly Groen
Campo to Julian: My First Week in the Southern Californian Desert

Campo to Julian: My First Week in the Southern Californian Desert

The PCT terminus shuttle drops me and eight other hikers off at Camp Cleef, where we will spend the night before the terminus tomorrow. It’s cold and

Apr 11, 2022 : Kelly Groen
PCT Training: Preparing Mentally and Physically for the Longest Hike of My Life

PCT Training: Preparing Mentally and Physically for the Longest Hike of My Life

I have talked quite a bit about my fears on this website but never about my biggest fear of all: quitting the PCT before I complete it. Full

Mar 6, 2022 : Kelly Groen
An Ode to Not Having a Plan: Why I Haven’t Planned My PCT Hike

An Ode to Not Having a Plan: Why I Haven’t Planned My PCT Hike

Today it is exactly one month until I set foot on trail. Hiking the PCT has been such a long time coming, I can hardly believe it’s becoming a

Mar 4, 2022 : Kelly Groen
PCT Gear: The 4 Big Items I’m Taking On Trail in 2022

PCT Gear: The 4 Big Items I’m Taking On Trail in 2022

Hello there! I have great news. My visa application got approved!! Therefore, nothing is stopping me from hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in May.

Feb 23, 2022 : Kelly Groen
Why I, A Scared Girl, Am Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in 2022

Why I, A Scared Girl, Am Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in 2022

"I have never done that before so I think I can do it," ...says Pippi Longstocking and says I. Hello there! I’m reporting to you live from

Feb 16, 2022 : Kelly Groen