Pacific Crest Trail Intro

Backpacking into remote places highlights the power of nature.  Mountains spring forth from the earth and you can often see the sideways layers of rock that make them up jutting out at random angles.  Rivers have carved their way through solid rock over the course of millions of years.  Storms making the trees whip back and forth and have me lean into the wind to progress, and have also made me turn back.  The power of nature is awesome.

Long distance backpacking is something that I am drawn to, but it is hard to describe why.  It will bring overuse injuries and pain, blisters, sunburn, rashes, bug bites, throbbing or numb feet, and you will develop the “hiker hobble”.  You will be soaked-through walking 20 miles in the depths of a storm, or worse yet hiking through rain for days on end doing all that you can to keep some of your gear and sleeping bag dry.  I’ve been caught in thunderstorms directly above me on mountain tops, lived through a hail storm that left inches of hail coating the ground like snow, blizzards where you couldn’t see 20 feet in front of you, waded miles down a river while my water bottle turned to ice, ran out of water in the desert, eaten as little as 1000 calories per day while doing 20 miles, had my tent blow over in 0 degree weather, was attacked by an owl in the dead of night which I still have the scars from, and have done lots of scrambling where one bad step or hand hold would lead to certain death.

But I am still drawn to it.  I have hiked across 14 states in one go.  Hiked across a country with a map and compass (with some GPS assistance) on a trail I drew myself.  Done 18 days in a row over 20 miles.  Did 45 miles in 15 hours with 7,000+ feet of gain.  Met many incredible people that I would never talk to or associate with in “normal” life but have hearts of gold.  Gotten unconditional offers of help from people who have seen me hiking down the street, and hitchhiked probably 100 times with positive experiences.  People have offered me money because they thought I needed help and followed my travels because they said they wanted to live vicariously through me.

I feel that I live life when I am long distance backpacking.  I have one purpose and goal, and that is simple; to manage my gear, food, water, and spirit to thrive in and immerse myself in the outdoors with nothing but ~20-30 pounds on my back.  That is all I need, and it helps me put “normal” life into context.  We don’t need cell phones, internet, and TV.  I did a 600 mile hike without any of these and it was a great, stress-free experience.

I’ve done a few thousand miles solo, but I find it much more enjoyable and fulfilling to hike with others and share the experience.  The camaraderie of hiking together can quickly form strong bonds; you are with each other 24 hours per day going through the highs and lows of hiking.  They have helped me through moments of vulnerability when I broke down and offered words of encouragement and solidarity that picked me back up and got me moving again.  It is unlike other friendships I have had.  Years later we still talk about the hikes we’ve done and some of the unique and challenging experiences we’ve had whenever we meet again.

I’ve had my highest highs in life on the trail standing on top of mountains and canyon rims where there is not a single road, powerline, or other sign of civilization in sight; looking back to the mountains I just passed over and forward to my path ahead.  Making footprints picking my way across terrain where there were no signs of other humans ever passing.  Hearing glaciers crack and groan.  Watching flash floods suddenly pour into the canyon I was in from all sides and cause rock slides.  Seeing multiple rainbows stacked on top of each other.  Watching shooting stars while cowboy camping with no lights for many miles.

I’ve had many moments of sheer terror.  One of the most venomous snakes in the world struck at me and I barely managed to jump over it.  Been caught too many times on top of a mountain with a sudden thunderstorm right on top of me shaking the ground.  Was 10 feet from a tree that fell in front of me.  Was 100 yards past a rockslide that happened for no reason on a clear day.  Took irreversible plunges into a canyon I wasn’t sure I could cross.  Crossed rivers in flood that I probably shouldn’t have.  Hiked through the desert with very little information on where to find water.  And plenty of sketchy scrambling that I was glad to be off of.

The adventure still compels me to continue exploring new areas, on-trail and off.  Two of my most memorable trails were a hike across Iceland on a route I drew, and the Hayduke Trail which is a route across the desert southwest.  Both followed tracks or treadway at times, but also left me to my own devices in picking my way across desert, rivers, canyons, quicksand, bushwhacking, and scrambles.  Exploring the unknown or lesser known is daunting due to the many challenges like little information on water, but it draws you into the experience and makes you think more about your journey and situation.

It would be much more comfortable for me to spend time relaxing on a beach, or at home on the couch with a beer, but I don’t feel that I am living life doing those things.  I am not challenging myself and growing as a person, encountering and overcoming hardships, seeing what I can accomplish physically and mentally, meeting new people, and forcing myself out of my comfort zone.  I have pushed my limits and seen what I am capable of.

These experiences have made me feel more strongly than most other times in my life, both positively and negatively.  I’ve broken down and cried due to days of rain and being wet or in pain or lack of sleep, but I’d still rather have the mix of strong positive and negative emotions than just go through my life content with the status quo.  While long distance backpacking isn’t for everyone, the experiences, emotions and people I’ve met will keep me coming back for a long time, and I wouldn’t trade these journeys for anything.

I’ve also had many people tell me how much they enjoy reading and hearing about my experiences, and how these bring them positivity or inspiration.  Though they often tell me they could never do what I am doing, I don’t believe that in most cases.  I am not doing things that are out of reach for the average person.  Long distance backpacking (or hiking) can be a physical challenge at times, but is significantly more about willpower, desire, and understanding yourself.  Most people could do it if they truly wanted it and went after it, but we often list reasons we “can’t” (job, bills, family, etc.).  Though these reasons may be valid in some cases, many long distance hikers work long and hard to save up and pay for their hikes, which don’t have to be very expensive (~$2 per mile all in is possible).  Many hikers work minimum wage type jobs, save up, end their lease or rent their house out, put everything in storage or leave their families and go live their dreams.  Not everyone will finish the trail, but many will find what they were looking for, or realize they were looking for the wrong thing.

Since I started my career, the longest backpacking trip I have been able to do was 952 miles on the Hayduke Trail through the desert southwest.  Though I have spent up to 54 days on the trail, it doesn’t compare to the experience of a true long distance hike, and I have missed that since the Appalachian Trail. 

The bug has me again, and on March 26 I will stand at the Mexican border in California, looking far to the north.  I will hike as much of the Pacific Crest Trail as I can with the intention to go straight through to Canada over 2,650 miles.  The terrain varies widely from the desert of southern California, across the high peaks of the Sierra where the trail will be buried under many feet of snow, past many of the west coast volcanic peaks that dominate the landscape, and through the Cascade Range of my home in the Pacific Northwest.  There will be plenty of stretches with extended water and food carries, and the Sierra will pose quite the challenge with all of the recent snow. 

While I intend to hike the entire PCT, you never know what will happen.  I could finish in Canada or get knocked out by injury on day 2.  I will accept whatever outcome is destined since this is an adventure where I am left to my own devices, the capabilities of my body and mind, and the ~17 lbs of gear I will carry on my back.  I want to get out of my comfort zone and live some life.  I will be truly immersed in this adventure that few can fully comprehend and hopefully walk away with a peace which will long endure as following my Appalachian Trail thru-hike.

To Canada! 3/26/24

Info:

Pacific Crest Trail Association

Overview Maps

HalfwayAnywhere Trial Info