What to do after a thru hike?

It has been a while since my last post, and quite frankly I thought I had run out of things to write about! After all, what more can I address other than my training (first post) and my gear (second post). How about, what to do after a thru hike.

My Last Minute Anxieties

To some it may seem counter-intuitive to start thinking about what I am going to do after my hike, since my hike hasn’t even started yet. Yes I agree, but also, no. And here’s why.

I am pretty organized, ask anyone that knows me, I am a meticulous planner when it comes to traveling so there is not much more to do.  Now all I can think about and dwell on for the next two months, while I wait for my permit date, is to change everything! I am changing my mind a thousand times a day about something, anything, everything.

I find myself asking questions like. “Can I really do this? Am I really ready? Am I crazy?” To which the answer is an emphatic “Yes!” After a short conversation with my training coach, (shout out to Lee at  https://trailsidefitness.com/) and describing all my anxieties he assured me that this was totally normal.  Second guessing my gear, my start date or how to organize my backpack, are all just ways to occupy my mind while I wait for April to arrive.  He put me at total ease and gave me some solid advice on how to make a few adjustments to my pack, ideas for water storage, how to minimize my pack weight without compromising my safety and comfort and how to put all that “mind drama” to rest.  Now I can focus on reassuring myself and believing in my ability to thru hike the PCT, as so many have done before me. This has allowed me to open my mind to ideas about the future and what that will look like for me.

Making Connections that Matter

This week, I had the opportunity to re-connect with some old friends and it was so rewarding to see how much progress everyone has made in their self development since the last time we got together. Some have started their own business, some have written books and some even thru hiked a long trail (Congrats Big Catt on completing the Appalachian Trail).  Some have made enormously bold life decisions and even fallen in love. These people have inspired me and continue to encourage me on my journey. Shout out to Marie-Pier Tremblay at https://mariepiertremblay.com/braveandbold for bringing these beautiful people together. I am thoroughly grateful to everyone who has supported me and continues to do so through my wild and crazy adventures.

Today I met a friend for coffee and we talked  about our future plans and what to do after our world travels. It got me thinking about what I want to do next. We spent some time reminiscing about old times and then played around with the idea of starting a new venture together. All kinds of dreams can come true over a cup of coffee!

We parted ways promising to re-connect once we return from our respective trips.

Something I look forward to doing on the PCT is making connections with other like-minded people; people who share a love for the outdoors and a passion for adventure. It might be possible to solve all the world’s problems while walking 2650 miles, even what to do after a thru hike!