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Pacific Crest Trail Association Email Sends Shivers
Hi Trek Tramily,
I just received an email from the Pacific Crest Trail Association that said “Today marks five weeks before you’ll be stepping foot on the PCT.” Holy smokes five weeks, that’s it!
As I prepare for my second thru hike the anxiety is real. My mind is a flutter with all the things I still have left to do before heading out to California, to Campo to be exact for my 2024 attempt at thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail.
Marking days on the calendar until I start the PCT
Along with anxiety, there is excitement. I am so looking forward to living like hiker trash again, being so close to nature that I almost fit in, and living each day dedicated to the journey that is thru-hiking. I would say it is hard to articulate the allure that thru-hiking elicits. The best I have is that it is a grand adventure, one that will forever change your, mind, body, and soul.
Thru-Hiking will Ruin your Life!
I remember seeing something that said “Thru-hiking will ruin your life” and it has but not in the ways you might think. I would say it’s like eating a croissant in Paris, kind of ruined, knowing you’ll never have a croissant as good as that one ever again. Thru-hiking opens your eyes and mind to a different way of living. One that allows you to tap into parts of yourself that you didn’t know existed. You are faced with so many unknowns and you just have to jump.
Descending Mt.Katahdin in 2021 after finishing my first thru-hike
Growing up I was never an outdoorsy person, I had never really hiked or backpacked, we just didn’t do those types of things. I had no idea what I was doing when I started my thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2021. As I started up the approach trail at Amicalola, I was beyond excited. Blissfully I put one foot in front of the other and never looked back.
Appalachian Trail Sign in Virginia
Can I do this again?
This time is different, I know exactly what I am getting into. My brain is filing through all the memories. I am starting to remember the pain and the hiker hunger. I am nostalgic but also nervous.
Will my body be okay this time?
Will I have enough money to last me until I finish?
What about the wildlife, mountain lions weigh heavy on my mind, and the snow and the fourteen thousand-foot mountains. There are so many unknowns about the PCT. There are only so many videos, blog posts, and books you can read to prepare yourself. Staying positive, coming prepared, and staying open-minded are the only things I will be able to control.
Hiking the AT in New Hampshire, tired but happy!
Gear List, Plane Tickets, Last Day at Work
I mentally go over the list of things that are done to make myself feel better. My month’s notice has been given at work, check. The plane tickets to San Diego purchased, check. My Gear is mostly purchased, just need base layers, gloves, new trekking poles, and my bear canister. I laugh to myself knowing that there is still so much to do in just five short weeks. Stay tuned Tram, there is plenty more to come, and thank you as always for following along.
Happy Hiking,
Pistol
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Comments 28
Hey Pistol, have a great trip and stay safe and warm!! As a long-distance hiker myself with close to 5000 miles and 50 years under my belt, I know the highs and lows of hiking long distance in all kinds of weather and terrain. I hope you have a great trip and make many memories! And don’t worry about the nay-sayers; they have no idea the thrill of backpacking 1000+ miles sometimes in total wilderness. My only problem with wildlife was ground hornets. You do have to watch for those guys!
The nerves are real ! Keep calm and stay steady. Have a safe trip will be reading
Hey Pistol, I woke up to the same email this morning. This is my first thru hike but I’m a Northern Californian and have traveled a bit around the state so I have a good idea what challenges each section will bring. Having said that I too have a little bit of anxiety in these last few weeks. I hope to meet you and Jake out there.
Hi,
I am located in Northern California as well. Where abouts? Hopefully I can run into some thru hikers and hear their stories. One of my best memories as a backpacker was running into amazing individuals. Happy trails!
Miriam
Good luck! 👍
Hi Pistol!
Thank you for sharing your insight. I started backpacking in 2014 and have done sections of the PCT in Northern California. I would love to thru hike it someday. I reside in Northern California and I hope to continue backpacking sections of the PCT this year. Happy trails 👣
Miriam
I’m vicariously excited right along with you! It’s going to be great. Your experience should boost your confidence and it sounds like you’re a planner at heart. You’ve got this!
So exciting- I want to get out and cover major ground too someday. What’s your favorite meal to make out on the trail??
So exciting- I want to get out and cover major ground too someday. What’s your favorite meal to make out on the trail??
Its like you read my mind You appear to know so much about this like you wrote the book in it or something I think that you can do with a few pics to drive the message home a little bit but other than that this is fantastic blog A great read Ill certainly be back
I did a 50 miler inclined three finger jack in Oregon when I was. I was a littlest guy at 12 in the boy scout thing I was in. Oh god that was a took. My pack was bigger than I was. I got pictures somewhere
Thank you. I’m 63. I’m thinking of going on one soon as I get my shoulder rebuild
Worry about what you can control. Not lions or bears (you are thousands of times more likely to die in a car crash on the way to the trail head than even see a mountain lion on the trail, much less have a close encounter with one), not snow, not fires. Worry about rational gear choices, pushing yourself to daily goals, and not titling articles with moronic click-bait.
I know with all the Forest fires we’ve had here in California, even though you say it’s highly unlikely to see or run into a mountain lion. I use to say the same thing, I live in a town called Weaverville, and since all the fires I’ve seen several lions taking deer right off of main Street. Had a lady have her dog taken straight off the leash while she was walking down a local trail. We’re right on the PCT, and I feel that if you put your guard down you’d be a fool. I think the though process she’s having is right on track, be prepared is always the best choice..I wish you the best on your journey, and good luck to you.
So exciting! I cant thru hike but I am section hiking the PCT. At MM 1420 and will be hiking Oregon this summer. The PCT is amazing. But I wouldn’t worry too much about the cats. I have hiked all over California and never seen one. Now rattlesnakes, those you do have to watch for …..
Yea and you can get hit by a car if you walk by a road, whatva lame ass comment to Wright Diane hahahaha
Thanks for the comment the shade on here is real .. getting a lot of flack for the title of this blog too but a bloggers job is to get readers reading so we are told to purposely have titles that will grab folks attention anyhoo thanks again!! take care 🙂
I know the women’s record holder for north to south. Know a bit about this hike
Good luck.
I stay at the Koa in acton hope to see u guys there and hear ur story’s good luck happy trails
Hi Pistol, I have traveled the JMT, which is part of the PCT, horseback. Be sure to stop in at VVR at Edison Lake. The ferry ride is worth the money and be sure to meet all the cool pack station people there too!
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We are trail angels, as we used to hike in the Palm 🏜️ area of CA. We met thru hikers and if we liked them, would invite them to contact us as they crossed between Oregon and Washington. That is when they usually needed a day or two off the trail to replenish, renue, take long showers and get to REI. Still willing to do this with the right person. We have a cabin near the boarder of WA at OR, and a house in Vancouver, WA. I don’t do social media at all. So… Good luck. If we can help we will. Have met some very interesting people on the PCT.
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Hi all. Maine is above all others my favorite rock to climb. Got started the “hike” bug in 1984. Set out on a hike at little bear pond from my uncles cabin. Had maps, water and rice cakes. Such beauty of a fall day. Kept going, 13 miles latter found some much needed food at capstone. Been trekking since. Legs aren’t as good now at 70 but, I pick the trails I can do here in ne pa. Happy trails to all. By the by, my dad gave me my trail name, not spelled right but it is the name for the biggest bottle of champagne, glory to those who reach the trail head.
Jeff
Did RaeLakes Loop for 5 days.l (Kings Canyon). No mountain lions, but a baby bear stole my pack and a rattlesnake spent a whole afternoon sitting near me, I thought, in wonder.
Hello Pistol and to All! I worked at an outdoor clothing manufacturer for 5yrs, and three of those years were in the Warranty department. We’d get an occasional call during this time of the year from hikers on the trails who’d had malfunctions with their product, and we’d arrange for them to pick up their replacements at the closest mailbox facility. Some of the stories I heard while gathering information were fascinating, even down right daring, but I’m not one to venture out so boldly! I hope to keep coming here to read of Pistol’s journey, though. And I am curious…I’ve not heard of “trail names” being given to or adopted by hikers. How does one earn or receive their trail name? What is the process? When did this ritual/practice begin? Many thanks and all the best on your journeys!
Enjoy the journey!! It’s going to be awesome!! You are going to surprise yourself how well you will do!! May all the trail angels protect and look over you!! 🙏 ❤️
Ps. I’m in San Diego, if you need a ride or anything, please let me know! Would be glad to help!!
On the other hand, many scholars and researchers emphasize the significant influence of external factors in shaping personal values.