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Hi, My Name is Pistol and NO I Don’t Carry a Gun!
Hello Trek Tramily
I guess it’s time for introductions. I think you can all guess my trail name from the title of this post but for anyone curious my real name is Annie and I will be one of your 2024 Pacific Crest Trail bloggers.
As budding thru-hikers, we all dream of what our trail name might be and maybe some of us come to trail with a name already formed. My trail name story isn’t super unique but it does raise a fair amount of questions. For example, “Are you a really fast hiker” or “Do you carry a gun on trail?”. No, I am not fast like a bullet out of a gun nor do I carry one on trail. I was given my name by a fellow thru-hiker turned hostel owner named Lucky very early into my Appalachian Trail thru-hike in 2021. Now, I know you all love a good origin story so here is mine.
Me at the Northern Terminus of the AT in 2021
My Trail Name Origin Story
The tale begins at “Above the Clouds” Lucky’s hostel in Georgia. I was not the only hiker who had decided after 3 days of hiking that a warm bed might be nice, it was a full house. As dinner was being prepared a group of hikers sat around the dining room table, chatting and swapping stories as we all tend to do. This particular evening an older hiker from Texas was giving most of the folks around the table a hard time. You know the type, “I walked to school uphill both ways in 5 feet of snow” type. I am all for some friendly banter and went head-to-head with Texan. I managed to chat with this fellow hiker, have a few laughs, and make it out unscathed. Lucky watched this all go down from the kitchen. The next day as I packed up my gear to head back out he said to me “You’re a pistol… you’re sweet but you’re a pistol” I laughed and said “Thanks”.
I know it’s not the most epic story but it stuck and Pistol is my trail name. I will carry that same name on the PCT this year as I attempt my 2024 thru-hike.
This is my “Pistol” finger gun pose while on the AT
More about Me: life, love, & thru-hiking
So, now that you all know why they call me Pistol, here are a few other things you should know.
I hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2021 and fell in love, not only with the trail and the amazing experience of thru-hiking but also with another hiker. His name is Jake. We met at mile 164 and walked the rest of the way to Maine together. We have seen each other at our best, worst, dirtiest, smelliest, and anything else you can imagine while living in the woods. Finding someone on trail and falling in love while thru-hiking is something so special and difficult to encapsulate. So, let’s save that for another blog post.
Jake and myself at the summit of Mt. Moosilauke during our 2021 AT thru-hike
All you need to know right now is that Jake and I love to hike and we are both super excited to hike the Pacific Crest Trail this year. We live together in the short school bus that we converted after the AT with our mini dachshund Isabella. We love food, traveling, and anything outdoorsy. I am so excited and grateful to be able to share my little life with you all and hope you continue to follow along as my journey to Canada unfolds.
Myself, Jake, and Isabella in front of our bus we named June Girl.
Until next time Tram. Happy Hiking.
Pistol
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Comments 9
Hey Annie Great write up. I am subscribed now. BUT when I went to your IG page I got this: “Sorry, this page isn’t available.
The link you followed may be broken, or the page may have been removed. Go back to Instagram.”
• What a great trail name and back story. My mother used to use “pistol’ talking about kids, etc. I still use it that way too.
Again GREAT TRAIL NAME. 🙂
Hey JHONYERMO,
Thank you for reading and for flagging the broken link. I think I may have fixed it now! I can’t wait to get out on the PCT and see if I run into any other Pistols.
Take care and thanks for being here!
Happy Hiking,
Annie
Oye Pistol. Your IG page works great now. Just subscribed. Thx
I really like reading through a post that can make men and women think. Also, thank you for allowing me to comment!
Hi! A great read! Just read your 2/12 entry, and your excitement is palpable! I’ve hiked and backpacked over the years, but my true love has been loaded bike touring all around the US with my husband. I’m older now and physically can’t do it any longer, but the memories are there! Look forward to following your blog! I just subscribed! Happy planning!
I’ve become an eager follower of this stellar website over the past week. The owner clearly pours passion into serving up top-notch content that wows readers. I applaud their dedication and hope they keep up the ace work!
Blessings to you for a life changing trip.
I’m a semi-retired Indiana boy hoping to go to Yosemite in May for a few days of serious hiking.
Let me offer a word of wisdom. You’re welcome to use your trail name and share it’s origin story. In the 50’s and 60’s it was common to refer to any active or adventurous kid as a pistol. But it’s best to leave the question of carrying a gun unadvertised. You’re more likely to be accosted on the trail if its public knowledge. I don’t own any guns, so I’m not advocating for anything pro or con. I’m just suggesting it’s safer to keep it quiet, leaving it unspoken.
Just days ago I discovered this awesome website, a standout for fans. The gifted owner keeps visitors riveted with spot-on content. I’m stoked to be a new member of the community and eager to see what interesting content comes next!
I just started reading Annie’s story about her life as a hiker. I am truly interested in reading more. I, personally was home’s for about 4byeara in Minnesota. My ex and I spent two cold MN winters in a tent in the woods. So, I subscribed, but I’m not sure if that what I need to do to continue reading her story. I am definitely not social media, tech smart! If their is something else I need to do, please let me know, thank you