5 Lessons I’m Taking with Me on the Continental Divide Trail

Editor’s note: At the height of the pandemic in 2020, The Trek’s policy was to not publish blog posts on trails where the managing organization specifically requested for thru-hikers to stay home—this included the PCT. We’re choosing to leave this particular post up so as not to eliminate a chance for meaningful dialogue. Please keep your comments respectful.

When I started the Pacific Crest Trail in March of 2020, it was only the second backpacking trip I had ever been on. Needless to say, there are a million things I learned in the five and a half months and 2600 miles of hiking. Other than the obvious adjustments to gear, maps, and planning, there are 5 things I learned that I want to take with me on this next hike.

1. Carry Less

This one seems pretty obvious, but for me, it was a learning curve. Weirdly, I realized that I always had exactly what I needed. Even after ditching tons of redundant gear and extra clothes, there was never a moment when I felt I was ill-equipped to deal with what the trail threw at me. Making it work with less is just a part of the challenge. This applies to mental loads as well. Plans change, people move on, and reality sucks, but days are easier when I leave all that heavy stuff behind.

 

2. First Impressions Suck

No matter if it was a new hiker I met or a new trail town I stayed in, I learned to give everything a chance. Some of the greatest people I met took time to grow on me. The same goes for places. One of my favorite nights on the trail was spent behind a strip mall, sleeping on a loading dock. First impressions are important, but I’ve learned to give second and third impressions the same weight and hold back the judgment and expectations when I’m hiking.

3. Just Eat It!

I have learned that being a picky eater is not good for trail life.  It doesn’t matter what it is, where it came from, or if the label says “refrigerate after opening,” I just eat it! Food is food, and hiker hunger is real. If people are generous enough to offer me food, I smile and accept it gratefully (within reason). This is a demanding undertaking, and help and hope come from the most unlikely places.

4. Feet First

Hiking 20 miles a day is painful. It’s even worse on sore feet. Taking care of my feet is my priority. When I take a break, I take off my shoes. At the end of the day, I wash and let my feet dry before slipping on my comfy sleeping socks. I replace my shoes as often as I can. For this upcoming hike, I’ve already bought six pairs of trail runners. I know my feet will be happy every time I trade the old for the new.

5. Take it Easy

This lesson applies in every aspect of thru-hiking. I need to take breaks when my body needs it. I need to stop and smell the roses when my brain needs it. When I face tough choices, I need to step back and breathe before freaking out. For me, hiking a long trail is not just to accomplish something and check it off the list. I love this lifestyle, and I need to enjoy it while it lasts. Through the heat, cold, mosquitos, bad weather, long days, and even longer nights, I like to remind myself that I missed this enough to do it again. I hike because I want to, and that means I’m going to love every single minute!

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Comments 15

  • Julia : Feb 23rd

    You are disgusting. People like you should have been forced to watch People die from covid. You helped spread disease and you will never know I your hike caused a death. Someone could have been infected and died by you even you never had a symptom. You might have killed someone and you will never know.

    Reply
    • Ralph B. Mahon : Feb 24th

      So, don’t go to stores, don’t go to work, lock yourself indoors…..forever

      Reply
    • Paul : Feb 24th

      Julia,
      Chill out, Bae…

      Reply
    • Maverick : Feb 25th

      WOW! Julia, I’m guessing you never left your house in 2020 or I hope you didn’t! The hiker community doesn’t need your negative comments in very knowledgeable and well thought out article!

      Reply
    • The Chairman : Feb 25th

      Julia,
      Your post is disgusting. You have so much hate and anger internalized. You should seek professional help to help you work through these issues. I wish you a fast recovery and hope you can find happiness in your life free from so much judgment.
      The Chairman “PCT Class of 2020”

      Reply
    • Brad : Feb 27th

      LMFAO ? imagine being this misinformed and fearful of covid. I bet you wear three masks, have 8 boosters, and are in a low risk category

      Reply
    • Steve Dawson : Feb 27th

      If you have nothing nice to say……Keep your mouth closed……Hike on sister!

      Reply
    • Liz : Mar 1st

      Easy… you don’t know any of those answers yourself, friend. I’m sure the author was safe and made necessary precautions, let’s have positive intent here.

      Reply
  • Paul : Feb 24th

    Julia,
    Chill out, Bae…

    Reply
  • Mike Current : Feb 24th

    For the Author: Great article. Thank you for sharing. Good luck on the CDT.

    For the Editor: 2020 was not the height of the pandemic. It was just the beginning. More Americans died of COVID-19 during the 2021 hiking season than the hiking season the year prior. Hikers on the trail in 2021 had a greater chance of contracting and spreading the coronavirus than the year prior, even with the vaccine readily available.

    But The Trek hated on the 2020 hikers and then ignored its hypocrisy the following year. In fact, early in 2021, The Trek conducted its first in person Backpacker Radio interview prior to the hosts being fully vaccinated. Yes, the hosts exercised due caution, but so did most of the thru-hikers on long trails the summer prior.

    In 2020, The Trek helped spread panic and misinformation about thru hikers spreading the virus while hiking the trail. This misperception continues to this day. Read some of the comments above.

    Hate against hikers, people who spent the majority of their time outdoors and alone on the trail.

    The week following my return home from hiking the PCT in 2020, I watched a college football game on television where there were over 15,000 fans crowded into the stands. Later that week, then President Trump held a rally in my home state with the crowd numbers violating our governor’s mandate. Did The Trek ever point out how individuals at these events, and other events like them, had a far greater chance of spreading the virus than thru hikers? No. Just hate on hikers.

    The Trek did support articles in 2020 asking people to get off the trail to protect the people in the small towns along the PCT and AT. Did The Trek point out in 2021 that the counties along the PCT and AT had some of the lowest vaccination rates for their respective states? In other words, these people were unwilling to protect themselves when given the opportunity. Again, the answer is no. Just hate on hikers.

    To the author, thanks again for sharing. It was a great year to hike the PCT.

    Energizer
    PCT Class of 2020

    Reply
    • Maverick : Feb 25th

      You are so right!!!

      Reply
    • Kinsleigh Sawatsky : Feb 25th

      Thank you! I appreciate your feedback on this. I agree, 2020 was an awesome year to hike. I guess we’ll see what this year has to offer!

      Reply
    • Brad : Feb 27th

      Im new to hiking. Thanks for letting someone like me know to avoid the trek. I wont visit this site again if they spread fear and misinformation.

      Reply
  • Jace : Feb 26th

    Kinsleigh,

    WHAT AN INSPIRTATION!!!!!!!!!!

    Thank you for sharing your story with us, I learned a lot and feel inspired TO GET OUT THERE! In the midst of all the chaos I couldn’t think of any greater place to be than in the wilds of the outdoors.

    I look forward to following along with you on your CDT trek!!! Super proud of you!!!

    Good luck, and conquer!!!

    Reply
  • Susie : Feb 27th

    Oh my. So much pain and negativity because of covid that could take years to heal. Let’s look forward to better years. If possible time to begin healing. Great that kinsleigh is planning this trek. We’ve hosted bicyclists who have done this route. Don’t know if you thought to go to warmshowers website to read about their trips.

    Reply

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