A New Year, A New Thru-Hike

Hello! I’m so happy to be back. Last year, I successfully hiked 200 miles of the PCT. At the time, I called it a failure, but it was anything but a failure. Well, I did fail to complete a thru-hike, but with failure comes wisdom. I learned so much about myself, the trail, and gear that I feel much better prepared for this thru-hike attempt.

I had no plans to hike again this year, but thoughts of the trail kept hanging out in the back of my mind. So I decided to see where life took me, and if it took me back to the trail, I would be open to it. Things seemed to be lining up, and then one day I decided to see what the permit availability was. As most people know, the permits opened up back in November and were snapped up early on. It was February by the time I took a look. Lo and behold there was one permit available in April. One. I took it and with that the deal was sealed. In one week I’ll be on my way to San Diego to enjoy the hospitality of Scout and Frodo, then it’s off to the trail.

It’s already been such a different experience. I’m much less anxious about the actual preparation because it’s pretty much still done from last year. I have some new lighter-weight gear and am much clearer on what to carry. I’m more curious than worried about how it will go. The trail is different. I’m starting earlier. There is less water available. There will be new people. Most importantly, I’m different. I’m less worried about having everything in place before I leave, I feel better prepared to embrace the suck, and I’m more understanding and accepting of myself.

Now there’s nothing left to do but start walking.

Happy hiking.

 

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