Getting loose in the desert

Packing all your mundane belongings into a small storage unit presents challenges, but it also offers an opportunity to strip life down to the essentials.

On my last night before the trail, I made a ramen dinner in my pot. Halfway through cooking, I realized that I had already put away all the cutlery I had. Desperate, I searched through my backpack, hoping to find my long-handled spoon. No luck. Finally, I decided to use my tent stakes as toothpicks.

As I sat eating ramen with titanium stakes, I realized that I had managed to reduce my entire life to what I could store, carry, and improvise.

Life had been quite hectic. Regardless of my own decisions, the corporate company I worked for closed our office as a way to save costs for the region. My leave request was denied until I made a counteroffer on my last day of employment. I am walking towards growth, understanding and whatever comes next.

This time the walk was not just one thing. It was pain, transition, celebration and escape wrapped up in a single trek north from Mexico to Canada.

The walk is a deliberate attempt to honor my late parents. I promised my late father that I would pursue what made me happy instead of what made me comfortable. At thirty-five years old, I walk to celebrate the lives of the people I have already lost.

Another common thread of this walk was an unexpected breakup in my personal life. A breakup in my relationship forced the end of an eight-year marriage. I am walking to focus on my own needs, desires and future.

No amount of preparation will truly prepare you for the effort that is a full hike.

I flew to San Diego on Cinco de Mayo, celebrating with shrimp tacos, beers, and an impromptu salsa party before heading to Campo, where the PCT finally became a reality.

PCT day zero. Here’s to many more!

Camp Lockett Equestrian and Event Facility (CLEEF)

CLEEF felt like we signed up for a camp for bad kids. It seemed as if we had all been sentenced to walk across the western United States in an attempt to fix something about ourselves.

Our camp counselors, Marmalade and One Speed, gave a long, unapologetic speech about the conditions and challenges we would face in the coming months on the PCT.

I woke up to Oreo pancakes and tagged the border monument with some people I’ll end up hiking with through most of the desert section.

Mount Laguna

On the way to Mount Laguna, I met a peculiar hiking duo, Heaps and Tarzan. I was excited to catch up with Heaps, as she was also carrying John Z’s Meadowphysics Crane Pack for her fourth PCT hike. We spent an hour comparing backpacks and equipment. She sincerely offered insightful advice along the way, like an older, more experienced sister guiding a freshman in school. Tarzan performed a campfire harmonica solo.

After leaving, we returned to the cold for two of the wettest and coldest nights of the entire desert stretch, some speculate for the entire trail.

I heard from an old friend that I was hitchhiking in Scissors Crossing to find a place to stay. A volunteer geologist named Fossil Lady hooked me up with Julian quickly. We worried about rocks and fossil localities throughout the trip.

Julian

My new trail friends and I stayed at Julian Lodge, run by Saina, an amazing girl I met while hiking the Arizona Trail in 2020. Saina had, as always, good vibes and exactly the kind of person you want in your corner while on the trail. A former hiker herself, she knows exactly how to help tired hikers. I always joke and call her my trail spirit animal.

I got Mom’s apple pie, vanilla ice cream, and hot coffee, all for free after showing my PCT permit.

My friend Bleezington back home had sent me my first resupply box, which had already arrived at the Warner Springs post office. Unfortunately, the post office closed at noon on Saturday, so I made a mad dash to retrieve it in hopes of avoiding an unplanned stay until Monday.

I made friends with Hummingbird from Denmark and took the shuttle to the trailhead at 3 p.m.

I walked until my flashlight went out around midnight. After a few hours of sleep, I woke up before dawn, took a long nap in Eagle Rock, and finished the remaining miles, completing the forty-two mile stretch.

Warner Springs

I met some unique people. Trail legends, I would say. This is where the PCT started to look real. The hospitality at the Warner Springs Community Center was amazing! Instantly a gentleman by the name of Monty offered me a ride to the post office.

Monty is an OG ultralight that participated in the first UL DIY kit competitions on the PCT. I recommend checking out Extra’s interview with Monty on his shakedown podcast series.

I spent the night sleeping next to the San Luis Rey River. I got magic on the trails and made new friends with Spicy and his team. I returned to the community center early in the morning, where I met Monty and another interesting gentleman.

Mercury confessed to attempting his fifth PCT hike among his other 30,000 miles of trails he’s accumulated under his belt. Mercury mentioned trying to average a PCT pace of 20 miles a day and humbly noted being one of the first students of the great PCT legend, Billy Goat.

I feel very honored to be here. The notion of traveling these trails that were also traveled by many before us provides even more evidence to rationalize our trip. Our journey continues.

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