My question, along with most others, is why hike the Pacific Crest Trail? It is a completely logical question. And honestly, I don’t know why – I will need to get back to you on that. In my defense, I have had accomplices for a decade when it comes to getting swept away by magnificent PCT sections in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California and the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and Washington. On another occasion, I was standing at the start of the PCT being mesmerized by the possibility.
It started with Todd in 2011 on a trip into Marie Lake and then summiting the Seven Gables. My previous hikes were in Idaho and the Pacific Northwest. The Sierra is like a different planet and we had just scratched the surface.
Alesia and Scott got into the act with a six day trip into the Ansel Adams wilderness in 2014. The trap was closing and I was looking for any excuse to get back there.
Mitchell hiked 800 miles of the PCT in 2015 before starting law school. I took him down to the starting point in Campo California. I asked if I could hike the first few miles with him and he had to order me to turn around after three miles. The pull of the trail and the adventure really surprised me.
Jenessa’s friend offered her two permits to hike half of the John Muir Trail 2017. I begged to get the other permit and against her better judgment, she agreed. We spent nine days on the trail to Yosemite. That thru-hike made me realize how much I love waking up every day and just walking. And so here I am.