Rachel McVittie

I’m Rae (trail name Clash!) I’m sometimes a nurse, sometimes a feral thru-hiker. In summer 2022 I dived into the thru-hiking world and spent 5.5 blissful, tough, weird months on the PCT. I caught the trail bug and hiked New Zealand’s Te Araroa in the same season. I've since been living on a queer & vegan animal sanctuary in the mountains, working random seasonal jobs in New Zealand, and processing ALL OF THAT WALKING, whilst of course planning the next. In this sunny corner of the internet you can follow my musings, adventures, and general chaos as I share stories, advice, gossips, and all the tales from the thru-hiking world.

Posts

Queer Tales from the Trail- Words from Llamadramas!

Queer Tales from the Trail- Words from Llamadramas!

 It’s been a moment! I posted the first 'Queer tales from the trail' blog way back in May 2022. From one of the precious landmarks on the PCT where

Jul 28, 2023 : Rachel McVittie
5 mistakes from the PCT

5 mistakes from the PCT

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. I really wouldn’t change much about my PCT thru hike this year. But I did do a few stupid things involving becoming

Dec 29, 2022 : Rachel McVittie
Christmas on trail!

Christmas on trail!

As December ticks by, the build up to Christmas is becoming more apparent each time we pop out from the trail and into towns. In Wellington, i’m

Dec 25, 2022 : Rachel McVittie
Back to Back Thru Hikes

Back to Back Thru Hikes

Day 72 of Te Araroa. Day 254 of the PCT / TA back to back thru hike extravaganza. Woaw. “How are you STILL hiking?”Physically? It feels GOOD! I

Dec 18, 2022 : Rachel McVittie
The Sierra Diaries- Spirit Visits, Space Wolves, and Summit Stories

The Sierra Diaries- Spirit Visits, Space Wolves, and Summit Stories

It is the end of May-early June time of year and we have begun the Sierra section, which fast proves to be somewhat spiritual. I have smaller

Jun 18, 2022 : Rachel McVittie
Queer Tales from the Trail- Finding Your People

Queer Tales from the Trail- Finding Your People

Sharing some cheese and wine for lunch (fancy resupply, I know), we briefly discuss queerness on trail, and how we are grateful there is a visible

May 25, 2022 : Rachel McVittie
Adrenaline for breakfast, anyone?

Adrenaline for breakfast, anyone?

Adrenaline for breakfast is served by the ice capped ridges. I’ve never hiked in snow conditions before and i’m overthinking the risk of me slipping

May 5, 2022 : Rachel McVittie
When was the last time you did something for the first time?

When was the last time you did something for the first time?

Magic and love flows around Scout and Frodo’s home. It’s a well oiled machine within a well oiled machine. Their natural storytelling silences a

Apr 23, 2022 : Rachel McVittie
Getting There is the Hardest Part

Getting There is the Hardest Part

Let's talk pre-trail vulnerability—is leaving the hardest part? A huge part of getting yourself on the PCT to go have all that outside adventure fun

Apr 1, 2022 : Rachel McVittie