Remember back in the day when it felt like I started every second post with ‘Well, we had intended to hike seriously today...’? This is one of those.  It’s kind of mostly Speedy’s fault.  My Dad helped too, in a way.  The phone call home went well yesterday afternoon. After a lot of tears and … Continue reading One Hundred Thirty Three: ZERO

I generally do pretty good at not stressing, but I’m fighting to stay in a positive headspace. And not winning.  So the visa issue... I need to leave the US by October 19th.  To get back in, I need to actually leave the continent of North America - as in, go further south than Panama, … Continue reading One Hundred Thirty Two: 2305.6km

No frostbite from last night. And that potato chips/Snickers bars combo did wonders for my body heat, not too long after I wolfed them down. God had mercy on us. We were woken by sunlight: enough of it for us to stretch out and keep our bones warm, while our tents dried and coffee brewed. … Continue reading One Hundred Thirty One: 2300.7km

The romanticism that enveloped me yesterday, and the dry heat from the fireplace last night are distant memories already. I think it was Jefe who told me months ago that the more calories you eat before bed, the hotter you'll sleep. Your body has to burn those calories, and keeps itself warm doing all that … Continue reading One Hundred Thirty: 2284.0km

I've been thinking... I might write a book. Like, actually write a book. This conclusion has come to me after the countless hours upon hours upon kilometres upon miles upon hours of walking and processing my thoughts. I think the smallest seed of this idea was planted back in Redding, when I was asked, "What … Continue reading One Hundred Twenty Nine: 2263.4km

As we walked, and talked, 2Beers asked me how I’m feeling.  This has got to be the most beautiful place I have experienced on earth. No wonder our conversations and friendships and memories made in this place goes so deep. “Do you mean in general, or about the PCT as a whole, or do you … Continue reading One Hundred Twenty Eight: 2,225.2km

I only took one photo today: 2Beers and Nemo, as we walked out of Snoqualmie Pass and up into those misty mountains.  I feel content. Peaceful. Light. Happy.  I got to chat with Mumma and Dad this morning, then spent a further two hours on the phone to my gal pal Reens and sister Sarah … Continue reading One Hundred Twenty Seven: 2,196.9km

I had breakfast with him one hundred and twenty six days ago at a table with Maya and Dario. He's been my pal and confidante and other half on and off for four months, in between his sabbaticals and the inevitable returns that earned him the trail name 'Prodigal'. But today, we said goodbye. Clearly, … Continue reading One Hundred Twenty Six: 2,189.7km

It's begun. Begun? Began. Begun... I never really know about the 'a' versus 'u' in this situation. And I've googled it more times than I can count - the jury's still out. Anywayyy... It has begun. The northbound bubble - the friends and comrades and acquaintances I began this journey with back in May, the … Continue reading One Hundred Twenty Five: 2,172.0 km

Okay, yeah, so, it turns out I wasn’t the only one letting my thoughts get the better of me last night. Swapping stories this morning, I learnt that 2Beers had also wound herself up a little, and made a similar dash for camp once dark hit, like I did. Nemo had felt ‘a little weird’, … Continue reading One Hundred Twenty Four: 2,154.7km

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 goodbye) was … 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