Breaking the women’s record for most miles traveled in 1 year

This morning I had a nice, slow start to the day. It’s my second to last day on the PCT! The weather is supposed to be perfect and I’m so excited to be here. But this morning I didn’t feel rushed. I’m only about 65 miles from Ashland. So even if I only go about 35 miles today, tomorrow won’t be a tremendously long day.

Last night on the way to camp I was briefly served. And I ended up getting a message from Sparkle, which took me by surprise. She reminded me of something I had completely forgotten. When I set out to start the hike this year, I knew I would be the first woman to complete or attempt the calendar-year Border-to-Border Triple Crown. I also knew that meant I would surpass the most miles traveled in a year by any woman.

The funny thing, though, is that the current women’s record is held by Heather Anderson, who achieved the calendar year triple crown in 2018. Which means she walked about 7,800 miles that year. Last night I officially surpassed 7,800 miles for my year. Which means she’s most likely officially broken the all-time women’s record for most miles traveled in a year. We’re talking about a calendar year, a fiscal year, any type of year. There’s a good chance he broke the record last night. If not, I’ll probably get over it later today. But this year I’m going to walk another 700 miles or so. So one way or another I will be beating that record. Then I can beat my own record every day until I finish my year.

That was really the only thing on my mind this morning. It’s surreal to surpass the record of a woman like Heather Anderson. It would be an understatement to say that she is an idol and a hero to me. Someone I have specifically admired over the past few years as I have progressed in the world of drag. After getting injured earlier in the year, I listened to both of Heather Anderson’s books. One on his FKT on the Appalachian Trail and one on his FKT on the Pacific Crest Trail. Those were two of my favorite books I listened to all year. She is an absolute animal.

It’s crazy to think that I could be talked about in the same conversation as a person like her. So to break such a huge mileage record that she held really touched me. I spent the whole morning really thinking about what this means. It is almost impossible to understand all this. I realize that I have had a great year and that hiking has never stopped. But it still surprises me to think that this thing I’ve been doing is apparently so unique. It’s hard to imagine that she has come further than any other woman. Sometimes it doesn’t feel that way.

This morning I enjoyed some beautiful views in the distance, while walking on loose lava rocks.

The terrain this morning was incredibly forgiving and easy. I remember why we did the 24 hour challenge through this section. There is hardly any unevenness. Some sections of the trail had more rocks than I would have preferred. But for the most part, it was a really nice and peaceful hike. I spent the day reminiscing about everything this year. Thinking about the kilometers accumulated and all the incredible places I have been lucky enough to travel to. Most people would be lucky to ever get to go on a hike. They would probably consider themselves incredibly lucky if they could make a triple crown in their lifetime. So to think that I’ve been able to ride these triple crown trails not once but twice in the past few years is a blessing. When I finish my trip this year, I will have climbed the Triple Crown from border to border not once but twice. Once over the course of a three-year period and once over the course of a single year.

I had fantastic weather while hiking the trail. Throughout the day I left many messages to friends and family. I had to leave Sparkle a message thanking her for reminding me of this milestone. It also warmed my heart to call her and tell her how honored I would be if she beat my record next year. It would be an absolute privilege. I think that’s one of the most exciting things about raising the bar. You have to know that someone will come after you and elevate it even higher. And that idea can’t scare you. It has to excite you. That idea is what keeps me going and what keeps everyone going. Always striving for greatness.

After leaving a message for Sparkle, I ended up leaving one for my parents. I figure I won’t have good cell service until I’m in Ashland taking some time off. And I just wanted to update you on this achievement. It feels huge. In some ways it feels even bigger than finishing the border calendar year triple crown. Of course, I will be the first woman to achieve it. But I think it’s even crazier to imagine that I hold the female record for the most kilometers traveled in a year. It’s almost impossible to understand that. We’re talking about any woman, ever! How could that be?

It was nice to experience the snow-free section of the trail. So far, every portion of lava rock I’ve passed through has been completely obliterated.

After leaving messages for my parents, I ended up leaving one for Stitches as well. She just finished becoming the first woman to connect the CDT and the Great Divide Trail. She and I have been leaving each other messages for a while and it has been super nice. I really enjoy having people to talk to while I’m here.

I didn’t end up getting much service today. But that was fine with me. I just focused on walking. Time was passing incredibly fast and I knew the day would pass quickly. I can’t believe today is the last full day on the PCT. I will camp tonight, but I will not camp tomorrow night. Tomorrow night I’m heading to Ashland. Which is very exciting because it means that the next day I will get a zero bonus.

This section of the trail is really nice until you’re constantly moving over loose rocks.

I was planning on zeroing in Ashland the next day with a friend of mine. But I’m even more excited at the prospect of having two days off. My first zero in Ashland will be spent resting, eating, and catching up on the immense amount of editing I have to do. Then a surprise guest will be joining me in town! And I’m very excited about that. I’ve talked a little here about Slide, the other guy who’s doing the border-to-border calendar year triple crown this year. He is currently finishing up the PCT and will be returning to Ashland right around the time I am there.

This lush green moss looked very happy after the recent rain.

In fact, he’s the one I spent my last real zero with. Since seeing it, I’ve taken two days off to travel between trails. But those were not rest-free days by any means. The last time I took a zero when I wasn’t traveling was at Snoqualmie with Slide in Washington. That was about 2 and a half months ago. Two and a half months later, we were perfectly aligned to meet in Ashland and be able to do zero together again. There’s a chance I’ll get my first zero night, which should be fantastic. But if not, we’ll spend the day together the next day before heading back to the CDT.

What an incredible view of lava rock accompanied by a large mountain in the distance.

It’s definitely something I’ve been looking forward to and working on for a long time. I just thought it wasn’t worth putting out into the world until everything was set in stone. Things are so up in the air when you’re both constantly walking around. I had to finish the Appalachian Trail and mark the Canadian border. Then I recently returned to the PCT to finish a short section I had saved in Northern California. Even with the blizzard and all, we somehow lined up the mileage so that they both arrived in the city within 24 hours of each other. Considering this is the second time we’ve done this this year, I think it’s pretty impressive.

An almost smoky sunset tonight.

In the afternoon I was able to see a beautiful sunset. The night was calm and silent. The weather couldn’t have been better. Today was one of those days that make you forget all the misery and suffering. I think the PCT has done this to me many times before. When a hike starts to wrap up and the PCT decides to torture me, it always gives me some relief. Because she wants me to come back to her! I couldn’t let myself end the journey on a sour note. Then maybe I won’t come back. Instead, the PCT spent the last day earning my love and trust. Just so that hopefully during another hiking season I can get hurt again. And I think I’ll probably leave her.

It was pretty crazy to pass the sign and realize I don’t even have 800 miles left in the year. For once, the remaining number is incredibly doable.

I had intended to go further in the evening, but I started to lose motivation around 8 pm. Things are different now that I don’t have as much time. I have much more freedom than before. I really can do whatever I want! So when I got up to about 35 miles for the day, I decided to stop at the next solid camping area. That would leave 30 miles for tomorrow, which isn’t bad at all.

The sun begins to set over the mountains in the distance.

It felt good to stop early just because I wanted to. It’s crazy to think about how much time I spent this year doing what I needed to do. He was always doing what he had to do. But now, for the rest of the year, time is no longer an issue. I’ll be done before Thanksgiving, whether I greatly slow down or take as many days off as I want. The end is near and inevitable now. Nothing can stop him.

This was the perfect way to end a beautiful day on the PCT. My last full day! I’ll do 30 miles tomorrow, but I’ll spend the night in town.

What a pleasure to stop so early and be in my store before 9:00 p.m. I ate some snacks and got comfortable. Then I edited and wrote a bit on my phone before calling it a night. Although I haven’t really been keeping an eye on any edits in the last few days. I know I have a zero day where I will be able to do tons of things. So I probably won’t do much of anything when Slide is with me. But I will still have some time to do some work and even more when I am traveling. I can always get caught!

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