Section Hiker Conversion

Interrupting the regularly scheduled trail update for a quick word on methodology. I’m changing mine. 

Really, all you need to know is in the title – I am fully committed to section hiking the PCT, rather than trying to finish the trail this summer. 

What Changed?

After my last blog post, where I left you in Stehekin, I hiked alone out of town, parting ways with my family after breakfast. Knowing the trail ahead had a small fire, I was a bit nervous, but the PCTA said the trail was still open.  The fire was in the Glacier Peak area, and had been started by the thunder storm from a couple nights prior. Since historically, the west side of the Cascade Crest is much wetter than the east side, I hoped that it wouldn’t spread too much before I could get past it. 

A series of waterfalls in the Agnes Gorge as I hiked away from Stehekin.

My hopes were foiled when, the next morning, I got an inreach message from my Mom (aka my emergency alert system) saying that the trail ahead of me had been closed due to the Vista Ridge fire (now part of the Miner’s Complex fires). I turned around and hurried back into Stehekin to catch the 12:30 bus into town. I managed to get on a ferry, a couple busses and then be picked up by my Dad in Leavenworth, making it back home by that night. 

Entering the Glacier Peak Wilderness headed SOBO…and then back to the Rec Area as I evacuated myself.

Reevaluating

I was pretty unhappy with this outcome – Glacier Peak is one of the sections in the entire 2,600 miles of trail that I was most excited for. Plus, the added stress of fires, both on myself while hiking, and on my support system, takes a toll on the fun aspect of the hiking.

Smoke rising at sunset from the Pioneer Fire burning outside of Stehekin. Fires suck for hiking and communities, but it is important to remember that fires play a vital role in these ecosystems.

I did some thinking, applied for a job, and lo and behold, I got it. With the combination of fires, my foot and knees at less than peak performance, and a job offer that I am excited about, I chose to fully convert to section hiking, so that I can take the job, and feel confident that I am protecting my body from breaking again. 

I am still committed to finishing this crazy thing, it will just take me a few more years. I am going to hike as much as I can before I start my job, and am hoping I can do the Glacier Peak section (technically called Section K) next summer, and a bit more every summer after that.

In fact, I already reached out to Dino from last summer and we hope to do one of those remaining sections together someday!

In Terms of Blogging…

Of course, this decision has many impacts. One of the smaller ones is that from now on, I will post blog posts about sections, rather than for each week of hiking. It is worth noting for those who are very well informed about the PCT, that when I say “section” I don’t necessarily mean a single designated-by-letter section. It will mean whatever is convenient for me, rather than anything too specific.

One of the Magellan Maps accessed via the PCTA website, and cropped to show the lettered sections of Washington State.

So, I will have a few more blog posts this summer, and hopefully at least one next summer, and so on. For now, stay tuned for Stevens Pass to Snoqualmie Pass!