The Pacific Crest Trail is a stunningly beautiful trail running from Campo, California to Manning Park, BC. It runs through just about every type of ecosystem in the western US on it’s 2659 mile course. That includes sweltering deserts, mountain passes over 10,000 feet, and some of the most isolated wilderness in the united states (and a few towns). And of course, lots of people think that this sounds wonderful and step away from the real world to take on this once in a lifetime experience.
This summer I will be hiking the Washington portion. It’s always been a dream of mine, but one of those dreams that you never think will come to pass. Work is busy, people depend on you, equipment is expensive, it’s a bad time. There is ALWAYS an excuse. Last spring my best friend pointed out that my 30th birthday is on a Friday and it got me thinking. Life is short! What is really holding me back from going on this hike that has been a lifelong dream of mine? Me. The following Monday I waltzed into my boss’s office and asked if it was possible to take 5 weeks off. Long story short, HR said yes and I am celebrating my 30th by finishing a 512 mile hike!
I tend to tell people early on that I’m going on this hike. Why you ask? Maybe a little because I’m proud, or like to brag, or I’m excited. Mostly because I love to see their reactions! I have gotten everything from silence to shock to surprising enthusiasm. My brother kept asking me who I was going with. “Myself'” I say. Who else?! At least a quarter of people so far have asked me if I’m bringing a gun when they hear that I’ll be alone. Oh man, that would be heavy! And who needs the extra weight when hiking poles are basically spears anyway. And I am NOT a gun person. Some people offer more helpful advice, like “make sure your vaccinations are up to date” or “see a chiropractor or physical therapist first.”
Luckily, I am not one of those people that you read about in hiking books. I grew up in a very outdoorsy family. My first backpack was when I was less than a year old and we went on at least one a year as soon as my brother and I could carry our own packs. After college I made it a yearly goal to take at least two friends backpacking who had never been out before. The wilderness is a place that I love so deeply and that brings me such peace that I want to share it with everyone. Last year I even took my friends out to Rainier in a rainstorm and it was one of the best trips that I’ve been on. I also love teaching my friends about leave no trace and how to start a campfire or put up a tent. The rest of the prep is reading all sorts of new books, slowly replacing my gear with more lightweight items, making my own food, sorting resupply boxes, putting together a training regimen (with some trusty friends to hike with), and putting together some extremely motivating playlists.
We all know that life has a tendency to suck you in. One day you are starting out at your first job out of college, then you look up and you are 30. Modern America just does not have the balance we need. I don’t want to be the person who cancels plans after work because I just don’t have anything left anymore. I’ve realized lately that I haven’t been prioritizing the things that will truly make me happy. Thank you 30! It’s just a number, but it’s given me motivation to live the life that I want to live. I’ll also admit that I have had traumatic experiences in the last few years that I haven’t quite recovered from. What a perfect opportunity to heal, gain perspective, and reflect on what I want and need in my life than 5 weeks spent mostly alone.
A huge part of getting caught up in the small things is that I haven’t had the opportunity to truly challenge myself in a very long time. Sure I’m busy, but it’s the mountain of little things and the stress and the obligations monopolizing my time. Hiking 500+ miles over enormous mountains is something that I could absolutely fail at. I might not be in good enough shape, I might get injured, I might even get so lonely that I need to come off of the trail. But that excites me! This is my moment to remind myself of how strong I am.
My favorite John Muir quote is “to the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” The wilderness almost feels like my soul. A huge reason for this is that I feel such a connection to the wilderness; I never feel whole except when I’m out there. When I was explaining this trip to my boss, I actually told her that I have that Moana feeling about the wild (my office went to a showing a while back). The mountains are calling and I must go! Who really knows deep down why I’m embarking on this trek, but the important thing right now is that every time I think about the trip, my eyes fill with tears of joy.
Plus, I cannot wait to meet lots of hiker trash!
Wilder Wanders 