PCT by Accident

I knew I would be hiking dangerously close. The Pacific Crest Trail was nearby, and I was going to do everything within my power to avoid it. I made a promise to myself to not hike a mile of the PCT until my thru-hike in 2020. I wanted every mile to be brand new. The car parked, shoes on, backpack on, trekking poles in hand, I stepped away from the parking lot, turned a corner, and found myself standing on a stretch of dirt I had been avoiding like the plague. “Maybe it will only be for a few miles,” I told myself. 5 hours later, I finally stepped onto a different trail. Well, so much for trying.

17 Miles

I entered the Cleveland National Forest with the intention of conquering some big miles. If I was lucky and feeling good, the most miles I had ever hiked in a single day. Within an hour of hiking, I knew it was possible. Miles were disappearing underneath my feet and I was feeling good. As I stood on top of Garnet Peak and took in the valley below, I knew a personal record was in striking distance. Back on the trail, the sun was blazing, and refuge wasn’t anywhere to be found. Still, I fought forward with the defeat of a previous hike on my mind. Hours passed and miles melted away. Before I knew it, I was back at my car celebrating a milestone in my hiking “career.” Coming off the Pacific Crest Trail and setting a new record, I was filled with a confidence I had never felt before; something I am hoping I can bottle and save for next year.

3L of Water

Over the course of 17 miles, I drank about 3 liters of water and was carrying 5 liters just in case. For much of the day, the temperature was in the 80’s. This gave me a powerful indication of what life will be like hiking in the desert next year. Now, my mind shifts to thoughts of water management and finding adequate resources to fill my bottles when hiking the dessert section of the Pacific Crest Trail.

New Shoes and Trekking Poles

On this journey, I tested my new Alta Trail Runners and a set of REI Trekking Poles. After a couple of hikes where I left the trail with feet screaming in pain, I was nervous and excited about attempting to break in a new pair. I was also excited to try trekking poles for the very first time. Within hours, I knew I had made a great decision. By the time the hike was over, my feet and back felt incredible; like I hadn’t hiked any miles at all.

 Be good to each other,

-Nathan

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