Lately, the way our mileage has worked out means our days start with a big climb and end with a descent. With my knees still hurting, I would so much rather prefer it the other way around. I can race up hills (and generally faster than the rest). I love bounding up into the mountaintops, … Continue reading One Hundred Twenty Three: 2,133.3km
Hoooooly guacamole, if my post yesterday was’t some sort of sermon that I specifically needed swirling in my head today, then pigs might start flying (or however that saying goes...). I even wondered if this is how it feels to live out a Doctor Who episode, where the Doctor might go back in time to … Continue reading One Hundred Twenty Two: 2,109.6km
What am I dreaming for? What is my life message? What will be the questions I ask myself on my deathbed? Am I living up to the answers I hope I give on that day? I’m not sure I can answer confidently if the hike today was more challenging than the podcast I listened to … Continue reading One Hundred Twenty One: 2,098.0km
It's been a while since I've stumbled across some solid good old trail magic, but the drought has ended at the cute little ski town of Stevens Pass. I met Joylene and Savannah Scott yesterday evening. Our little posse that keeps shrinking (and will shrink again next week - I'm still coming to terms with another … Continue reading One Hundred Nineteen – Twenty: ZEROES
I only gave a half hearted attempt when I tried to sneak off before the gang woke up. The snooze button was pressed at least twice before I even moved, let alone deflated my NeoAir and wriggled out of my quilt. This far into the game, I’ve got my morning system pretty down pat: it … Continue reading One Hundred Eighteen: 2,074.9km
Yesterday may have been borderline, but sitting here in my tent eating cold plain couscous and chewing straight into a stick of salami as if it were a banana, there’s no question: my streak of 10/10 days has come to an end. My knee is screaming at me every time I need to step down. … Continue reading One Hundred Seventeen: 2,045.1km
Washington Is A Babe. (But she’s also a bit of a biatch). My knees are in agony again. I thought I was doing pretty okay - I’ve been taking glucosamine (for joints), I’ve been stretching like four times a day, I’ve been taking more care of my body than I ever did coming northbound. I … Continue reading One Hundred Sixteen: 2,016.9km
I don’t know how it’s possible, but today was another 10/10. Which means I’m currently on a six day streak - that’s a record (not including the cold temps, because that’s just part of living in the mountains). I woke up having had not one, but three creepy Black Mirror-esque dreams, and decided promptly that … Continue reading One Hundred Fifteen: 1,991.9km
Right now, I’m super thankful to Jesus, because there’s no other way to explain how I’ve stayed so joyful all day. I’ve been on cloud nine since waking up. I’ve been singing and skipping and smiling at everyone who trudged miserably past on their northbound journey. We had a 10/10 morning: it feels like autumn … Continue reading One Hundred Fourteen: 1,970.9km
Who knew there were so many shades of green? Not me. Or at least, I haven’t seen so many so close together, all at once. We went from meadow to granite to woods to rainforest. Then back to woods, then riverbanks, then rainforest again. Each scene so different, and yet all one and the same: … Continue reading One Hundred Thirteen: 1,951.8km
I’ve heard over and over again that Washington is the most beautiful section of the Pacific Crest Trail. None of it actually hit home until I got here and realised people weren’t exaggerating. And now I feel like I’ve used up all of the adjectives on the Sierras that I should have saved for here. … Continue reading One Hundred Twelve: 1,928.4km
Even covered by smoke, Washington ... I'm lost for words. I don't even know how to describe the beauty of it - and I'm only two days in. Everything is 'deeper', somehow. Colours are more vivid. Greens are greener. Light is softer. Lakes are certainly colder, which is a surprise, coming from some of the … Continue reading One Hundred Eleven: 1,888.9km
Daunting? What was I thinking?! What was I worried about? Being back on trail feels like being back at home. Even in new shoes* (which I was semi-worried about after my La Sportiva debacle), I floated down the path like it was an afternoon stroll. No blisters yet. Cross your fingers with me, folks. Have … Continue reading One Hundred Ten: 1,874.8km
