On April 11th, 2020, I will begin hiking the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon, and Washington. This ongoing series is an attempt to document the entire journey from beginning to end. 

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My Mom Doesn’t Want Me to Go

In May, I went back to Oklahoma to visit my family and attend a niece’s graduation from high school. As is often the case, we found ourselves in a big circle discussing everything under the sun. As we jumped from subject to subject, the topic of my hike rose to the surface. Similar questions posed by others were asked. What will you do about food? What about water? How far is it? Are you camping every night? Then, a question was asked that I feared to answer in front of my mother. Are there any inherent risks? “Of course, as with anything in this world, there are risks,” I answered. “Rattlesnakes exist on the trial. There are mountain lions, things that sting, lack of water, creek crossings, and exhaustion to contend with as we make our way north. The Sierra’s may be beautiful, but they are not your friend.” As soon as the words escaped my mouth, I could see the look crawl across my mother’s face. Instantly, I could see she was scared and didn’t want me to do this. Yet, I must. Despite all the risks, I must hike the Pacific Crest Trail. All I can do is promise her is that I will do my best to stay safe.

Hiking in Washington, Again

At the end of May, I was in Seattle visiting the old stomping grounds. I decided to use part of this trip to hike once again in the North Cascades. We chose the Boulder Creek Trail outside of Oso. As I hiked under a canopy of trees, walked along a rushing river, and spent time lost in the vistas of Washington state, it dawned on me how much I missed being here. Soon, I will do battle with the Cascades once again. Then after the PCT is in the rearview, I will get lost on the trails for the rest of my life; a prospect I dream about often.

Lists

              Why I Am Hiking

·       I am hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, because I need a break from the monotony

·       I am hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, because I need to know what I am capable of doing.

·       I am hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in hopes that reconnecting with nature will lead to new inspiration.

·       I am hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, because I honestly believe walking into Canada will be the greatest achievement of my life.

·       I am hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, because I want to be happy again and I think I can find it out there among the 2,650 miles that need to be walked. 

              What If I Quit

·       If I quit hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, I will be devastated and disappointed in myself.

·       If I quit hiking the Pacific Crest, it better be because my body betrayed me – no other excuse will do.

·       If I quit hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, I will let down my friends, family, and everyone who believed in me.

·       If I quit hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, I will feel like a failure.

·       If I quit hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, I will doubt my ability to ever be happy again.

              What It Will Mean to Finish

·       Finishing the Pacific Crest Trail will be the greatest physical and spiritual achievement of my life.

·       Finishing the Pacific Crest Trail will give me bragging rights for the rest of my life.

·       Finishing the Pacific Crest Trail will be a story I tell for the rest of my life.

·       Finishing the Pacific Crest Trail will be the closet thing to a religious experience I will ever get.

·       Finishing the Pacific Crest Trail means a brand-new tattoo!

Hike Your Own Hike

From what I hear, Hike Your Own Hike is a common phrase on the PCT. Reading it repeatedly, I’ve tried to adapt the phrase for my own purposes. This is what it means for me. There will always be pressure to keep moving, the pressure to push a little farther, the pressure to not linger too long, the pressure to keep up or to stay behind. Ultimately, this hike is for me and the friend who is joining me on this journey. No one else. At the end of the day, this moment in time is for me. My attitude and the decisions I make will be the overarching and determining factor in my enjoyment. As I begin, I promise to remember this. I also promise to afford this grace to others.

Cooking System – Check  

I recently finished buying all the supplies for my cook system. Below, is a list of items I purchased, price, and where I got them.

 BRS UL Stove $18 Amazon

Vargo Ti 700 BOT $100 Vargo Outdoors

Sea to Summit Spork $9 Amazon

Bic Mini Lighter $8 Amazon

Zpacks Cuben Food Bag $50 Zpacks

Fuel for Stove $10 REI

Be good to each other,

-Nathan

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