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Jan 20, 2017 : Mackenzie Findeisen Pacific Crest Trail

This Week’s Top Instagram Posts from the #PacificCrestTrail

Thru-hiking season is in full throttle on the #PCT! And there are some great photos floating around thanks to all the hikers out there! Unfortunately, if you are reading this right now, you probably aren’t out on the trail (thanks for reading if you are!). Good news, this is the next best thing!

If you’d like to be featured, we search Instagram for great photos with the hashtag #PacificCrestTrail, #PCT and #PacificCrestTrials (our personal favorite) and select a few standouts each week for your viewing pleasure.

Here’s some visual splendor chock full of the insta-greatness we have all been waiting for. The following photos were taken between 01/04/2017 and 01/18/2017

One of the hardest days on the trail was a 25 mile stretch with 9000+ feet of elevation gain and 7000+ feet of elevation loss. It also happened to be the third day in succession I felt pain in my left knee. By the end of this long, arduous day I was spent. I was hurting. And at times I was angry. Angry because I was scared I was going to hurt my knee and not be able to finish our hike. But looking back, I smile. I appreciate the pain, the challenges and my body and mind for pushing through the discomfort, expanding my comfort zones and showing me what I'm capable of. Perhaps this is what Cheryl Strayed refers to as retrospective fun. We may not be enjoying all of what's happening in the moment, but in the end it was all worth it and we wouldn't have it any other way. :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: #mountainlove #moutainlife #mountainlovers #earth_escape #IAmNature #mountainlover #theoutbound #optoutside #bestofbackpack #lonelyplanet #lonelyplanettraveller #werehikers #NationalTrailsSystems #ItsAllYours #photographersinthewild #HikeThePct #fantasticearth #wildernessplanet #fabletrails #pct #pctig #PacificCrestTrail #PacificCrestTrials #upperleftusa #pnwexplorations #pnwphoto #thatpnwlife #washingtonexplored #glacierpeakwilderness #northcascades

A photo posted by Andy&Laurie |Shuffles&Dribbles (@yogihiker) on

"Here take my picture!" In Goat Rocks, of course. #pacificcresttrials

A photo posted by Carly Moree (@carly.moree) on

The plan. ??? #pct #pacificcresttrail #blogging

A photo posted by Christina (@_ninaruns) on

I got sooooooo excited whenever I came across a PCT trail sign… for multiple reasons. One thought being- Fuck YES!!! I'm actually doing this- I'm actually hiking on the PCT. I've wanted to do this for 10 years and HERE I AM! Another thought being- oh thank God, I'm still on the right trail! And another, fuck yeah, I'm a SOBO (this was a weird one for me- I had no idea I'd develop this strange sobo pride thing). When I first planned and thought about doing the PCT, I thought, "Cool. I'll do it, get it out of my system and move on with my life". I had no idea what I was getting myself into….I already loved being in the backcountry and wild places; however,  I didn't realize that I was going to fall in love with being on trail for months at a time. I didn't realize I was going to fall in love with the hiking community and the amazing (AMAZING!!!!) people I'd meet. I didn't realize I was going to fall in love with small town America. I didn't realize I was going to fall in love with myself and the person I am on trail. So, instead of getting the PCT out of my system, it sunk it's teeth into me, it became a part of me, it lives within my soul…. my thoughts are no longer about checking a trail off my list, but have developed into thoughts about how much time I can spend on trail throughout the hiking season and thoughts of all the immense beauty that is out there, just waiting to be explored. #pct #pctig #pctsobo #pacificcresttrials #pacificcresttrail #pctsobo #sobo #pct16 #trekthepct #trailsigns #thruhike #thruhiking #hike #hiking #backpacking #notaweekender #onthetrail #girlgetoutside #getoutstayout #getoutside #sheexplores #exploremore #explore #wanderlust #outdoorwomen #optoutside #woods #intothewild #backcountry #radliving #epicadventures

A photo posted by @whiskey_wanders on

The photos from this week are stunning! Wishing I was out on the train right now! Any good suggestions in Boulder, Colorado?!

Remember, if you want to be featured, use #PacificCrestTrials (my favorite), #PCT2017 or PCTTraining.

For those that are preparing to get on the train in the new few months, don’t forget to pick up your copy of Pacific Crest Trials to help guide your psychological and emotional journey on the trail!

Happy hiking!
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Mackenzie Findeisen
Jan 20th : Mackenzie Findeisen
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Mackenzie Findeisen's Bio

Hi, my name is Mackenzie, but most refer to me as Mack Daddy. Hawaii native, living in Boulder, Colorado (shocker). I am a student at the University of Colorado, Boulder pursuing a BS in Journalism and a BA in Communication. Meanwhile, I spend my time climbing rocks, riding down snowy hills, chasing waterfalls and snuggling with my cat. I fell in love with backpacking when I was 16 and hiked a small portion of the #AT. Since then, I've been busying myself with school and short backpacking trips around Colorado (still haven't found a favorite, suggestions?).

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