PCT 2016 – Trask Mountain Editing

Getting schooled by backpacking kids.

I know, my absence from the Internet the last four months has been heart-wrenching for, like, almost one person. I’d like to pretend it was spent doing something rad, like backpacking somewhere even Verizon can’t get a signal or using slang that didn’t become dated over a decade ago, but actually I’ve been like workingContinue reading “Getting schooled by backpacking kids.”

Three Days on Mount Jefferson

Around 11 years ago, in the summer before my 8th grade year, my dad looked at his map of the Jefferson Wilderness Area and pointed thoughtfully at one of the trails. “I think,” he said, “I want to try out this Breitenbrush trail this weekend. You wanna come?” he asked. Of course I wanted toContinue reading “Three Days on Mount Jefferson”

A Vacation State

As Fire Ant, Braids, Miguel, and I make our way through Oregon, we tend to have the same conversation with fellow hikers at every spring and shady lunch spot we find. Us: We’re really loving Oregon. Them: Oh yeah. It’s great. I can’t believe it’s gonna be over so soon. Us: Yeah, crazy how timeContinue reading “A Vacation State”

Bad at math, too

I used to be decent at math. However, in the first week on trail, I managed to mess up some fairly simple equations, resulting in us all arriving at Shelter Cove with practically enough food to make it to Cascade Locks. The miscalculation began at Fish Lake Resort. Just as Miguel, Fire Ant and IContinue reading “Bad at math, too”

Mail drops on the PCT: Putting the Pro in Procrastination

Considering I leave this week for the Pacific Crest Trail, I thought it might be fun to, ya know, figure out what I’m going to be eating on the trip. Here’s the problem: I’m a lousy cook, even in the best of circumstances. Case in point: I once was in charge of making macaroni andContinue reading “Mail drops on the PCT: Putting the Pro in Procrastination”

Passing Out In First Aid Class

So I guess I’m more squeamish than I thought I was. In preparation for hiking the PCT, I thought, “I should really take a wilderness first aid class.” When I saw that REI was going to have a class a week before I leave, I signed up without hesitation. I would have been better offContinue reading “Passing Out In First Aid Class”

So I quit my job…

I generally enjoy my job. It’s the side effects I can’t stand–waking up every morning with third tier pop music stuck in my head, wanting to punch customers in the face for asking why I’m not more chipper at 9:53 at night, being unable to plan with certainty any events beyond next week due toContinue reading “So I quit my job…”

Permission Granted!

After a whole 17 days of delayed gratification, I received my permit to hike the Pacific Crest Trail this evening. And yes, it does feel fantastic. Am I totally ready to hit the trail? Sure! Right after I buy a tent get my California Campfire Permit Get my permit to enter Canada Buy aContinue reading “Permission Granted!”

The Deep Questions

Why am I here? What’s the purpose? If you’re talking about life in general, great questions! However, my psychology 201 professor said we need to guard against over-sharing, or else people might try to give us jackets without armholes. That would make blogging difficult, so I’ll hold off on answering those. As to why I’mContinue reading “The Deep Questions”