Onto the next one!

In just over a month, I’ll be at this trail head, setting off on the Pacific Crest Trail! I want to Triple Crown, so I’ll be attempting my second of the three this year.

“But wait, Emma, aren’t you in veterinary school?”

“Actually, you can start calling me Wildlife again, and I decided to defer with questionable return…”

2 years ago…

If you remember or look back on my first ever blog post when I said I was going to be doing the Appalachian Trail, I talked about my journey leading up to it. Specifically, I mentioned how I had wanted to do it for awhile, but in college, I was silly and kept pushing through depression and other shit, instead of taking some time off to pursue a dream. Well, veterinary school Emma has listened. I am taking time off to pursue another dream and maybe even a career in the outdoors rather than veterinary medicine… TBD. Lots to think about on the trail!

I am excited to take on a new trail as Wildlife!

What’s in store

The PCT is 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada. It travels through California, Oregon, and Washington, so I am sure there will be many safety meetings. I’m heading NOBO this time, which makes me slightly sad for betraying my SOBO roots. Lastly, will my partner in crime, Muddy Boots, be joining me? Unfortunately, Lily will be staying home. There are many more National Parks and Forests along the PCT that do not allow dogs, so logistically, it will be much easier without her. There is a slight chance that she may be able to do the Oregon and Washington sections, but that is still up in the air.

Muddy boots wearing enough mud to be Muddy Pants.

Why I’m Hiking

As mentioned above, it’s a dream. I knew during my AT thru that I wanted to Triple Crown (completing the AT, PCT, and CDT), so I am taking the next step in that direction with another thru hike. Also, post trail depression hit me hard. I miss trail life, the community, the wilderness, the simplicity, the adventure, and the list goes on. Then, I rushed and pushed myself into veterinary school, causing me to be stressed and depressed. I need time to figure out if returning to veterinary school is the right choice for me or pursuing something else like a career in outdoor education would make me happier. Plus maybe I’ll meet my husband on the trail! I’m only 26, so I shouldn’t feel rushed, but after you live in Utah where your classmates are younger than you, married, and already have kids, you sort of feel behind the 8 ball… although that’s partly the culture here. If you’ve ever been in Utah, you’ll notice the pressure is strong, with every other billboard advertising engagement rings and posts on neighborhood websites about someone looking for a match. Anyways, I’m getting off track. PCT here I come!