I woke up, packed up, and began walking. Standard day really. I crossed creeks via logs. I crossed rivers via bridges. I crossed the 300 mile marker. I crossed fields of gold and passed more mountains. More of my standard. The path today ran along a mountainside that dropped off steeply down to a creek. … Continue reading Day Twenty One: 460.0 – 504.4km
We were promised that it would be super easy to hitch back to the trail from town. We were also told there was an hourly bus that went directly to the trailhead; if the times matched up we were happy to do that instead. I was with three of the boys who agreed that we … Continue reading Day Twenty: 428.3 – 460.0km
I should have known I wouldn’t do any walking today. No further than lunch, or the supermarket. I was feeling a little off this morning. There’s not much alone time on trail. It’s a bit hard to describe, because it sounds silly. Most people hike all day by themselves - myself, included - but whenever … Continue reading Day Nineteen: ZERO
I SAW MY FIRST BEAR TODAY. So by default, no - I did not get murdered by any ghosts last night. Those angels must have stood guard well. I left early so Speedy could catch up and we'd have lunch together (otherwise his average wait time for us is 2hrs+). I felt the sun rise, … Continue reading Day Eighteen: 396.7 – 428.3km
I was told that women who finish the PCT come out looking like gymnasts (and the fellas end up looking emaciated... life is unfair sometimes). While I’m still waiting for my legs to thin out that much, I’m fairly certain I won’t be doing the splits too gracefully now or later - despite how thin … Continue reading Day Seventeen: 364.0 – 396.7km
The forecast was for wind... I just didn’t expect this much wind. My first half hour was a veerrrryyy slow one; straight down a bitumen road, and after yesterday’s efforts, my knees hadn’t yet forgiven me. Nor had my feet, actually. I’ve got a few blisters going - some already popped, some I just let … Continue reading Day Sixteen: 331.1 – 364.0km
A 20 mile, 9,600ft descent didn’t mean much to me yesterday. It does now: It’s a Bloody. Long. Way. Down.For everyone bar the Americans, it means a descent of THREE KILOMETRES over THIRTY KILOMETRES. Still hard to wrap your head around? Don’t worry, it was for me too. My body certainly understood it pretty well, … Continue reading Day Fifteen: 301.8 – 331.1km
Skydiving. Right before skydiving. Like, when I was on the bus with my family, heading toward a little plane we were about to jump out of. My insides were an uneasy mixture of fear, anticipation, terror, annoyance (this was a family Christmas present from Mum and Dad so I couldn’t get out of it), a … Continue reading Day Fourteen: 285.2 – 301.8km
Thirteen is my favourite number. Thirteen was my favourite day on the PCT? Mmm... just about. But we didn’t do any [real] walking, so I’m not entirely sure it counts. Three more of our posse were due to rock up in the afternoon, we needed to resupply, and the Swiss offered to cook dinner, so … Continue reading Day Thirteen: ZERO
The plan was to get to Idyllwild. We were more than ready for a town: beds, showers, laundry, no tents, clean feet, pizza, more supplies.. The setback was, it was going to be a hike and a half. More than 30 kilometres - doable - but the vast majority of which were going up, with … Continue reading Day Twelve: 252.6 – 285.2km
I once drove out to the Devil’s Marbles with a man I loved deeply and thought was just about the closet thing to a soulmate I’d find. In a way, the end of my journey alongside him sparked the beginning of the journey I’m now on. He’s a great man, and I have no big … Continue reading Day Eleven: 231.8 – 252.6km
Well, I figured it couldn’t last forever, right? It didn’t. I got up at stupid o’clock (4AM) and continued to press snooze for half an hour.. then it still took me until 5:20 to have my life fully packed and walking away from my tent site. My knee still ached, but at least it was … Continue reading Day Ten: 196.4 – 231.8km
The law of averages promised that I’ll have a few not so stellar days out here. Today was one of those days. I mean, it started off alright? I’d slept in a little, because it was going to be a cold one again so sunlight didn’t really matter. I’d picked up a snazzy pair of … Continue reading Day Nine: 176.2 – 196.4km
A ‘zero’ is a day where you walk ‘zero kilometres’ along the track (this does not take into account walking to/from a local restaurant, post office or bottle shop). I had my first zero today. Did anyone notice I mixed the days around last post? Oops! Time is already getting muddled. I mightn’t have remembered … Continue reading Day Eight: ZERO
With the phone reception last night, I was able to check the weather for today: a top of around 22’C. Cold. Cold in my books, anyway. Which also meant I could sleep in a little. No need for such an early ride if I wasn’t trying to beat the sun. And yeah, it was cold. … Continue reading Day Seven : 145.6 – 176.2km
Even with the wind hammering my tent all night, I woke up feeling like I’d had a sleep in. And had another shower just for the heck of it. Today is going to be a good day.Last night Ghost had offered to take us into town, and as promised, he pulled up at 7am to … Continue reading Day Six: 123.9 – 145.6km
There was still thirty odd kilometres to go, so I wanted to leave early - even though yesterday was such a huge day. I woke up at 5am (not as early as previous days, but we were hiking until past midnight!) and tried to wake the others but they were having none of it. It … Continue reading Day Five: 96.1 – 123.9km
We left off with me braving a swarm of bees to fill up my 9L of water before braving the desert stretch. The evening was absolutely beautiful. I might make a habit of hiking later; the temperature was a lot milder, and colours shone brighter. I could have also just imagined that though, because the … Continue reading Day Four (pt. II): 78.4 – 96.1km
Today has been a mix.Instead of getting up at the crack of dawn, I figured I’d try another approach: sleep in, have a coffee in town, and wait until 1PM to set off. It wasn’t going to be so hot today, anyway.It felt pretty good, I must admit.It was nice to sleep in a little … Continue reading Day Four (pt. I): 68.6 – 78.4km
My alarm was set for 3:45AM again, but I woke up five minutes before that and figured I may as well get started. Walking under the stars in the desert cool is the most beautiful contrast to the sweltering heat that burns down just a few hours later. And watching the sun rise over mountains … Continue reading Day Three: 47.9 – 68.6km
Time moves differently on the Pacific Crest Trail. I’m fast learning to count kilometres (and miles) by how many minutes have passed, and it’s a sad equation. I still expect to move at the usual walking speed I have at home; I feel like I should be able to cover similar distances just as fast, … Continue reading Day Two: 24.7 – 47.9km
I feel a bit like royalty out here. My nights at Scout and Frodo's were highlighted with a Celtic fiddle player, and one of the San Diego adventure stores shouting us a party - free pizza, wine, beer, popcorn, raffles, PCT movies and pros all out to swap stories and give tips and information. Then … Continue reading Day One: 0.0 – 24.7km
Have you been dreaming about Into the Wild? Wondering what you would take with you for six months in the wilderness? Or even what foods you might eat out there? Well, I’m no Christopher McCandless, but I am your lady. While I’m not setting fire to my passport or any money*, I am wandering north. … Continue reading Pack Unpacked
“You’re all set honey! You’ll be in San Diego in a few hours.” The train conductor’s warm smile and fatherly reassurance slowed my heart rate a little, but not a whole lot. He’s right, though: I am all set. In LA I was able to sort out the last few bits and pieces (I think??). … Continue reading Perspective
