Goodbye San Diego. Hello, hungry hiker.
Three weeks into the Pacific Crest Trail and I have two things on my mind. First, an official goodbye to my home of San Diego. Second, FOOD.
I lived in San Diego for the last 12 years. And while I thoroughly enjoyed my stay in the best city in America, I know deep in my soul that it’s time to move on. So before hitting the road, I packed my valuables into a mobile storage unit, quit my job, and said goodbye to my friends who have made San Diego my home for the past 12 years. How I will miss the amazing weather, proximity to amazing beaches, great Mexican food, my friends and community, and just living under the Southern California sun. But it’s time to move on and grow.
The first few weeks of the PCT seemed like a bit of a getaway. I’ve been to Julian, Anza, Idyllwild, and even hiked the SoCal PCT a lot before. I’ve driven on the roads that cross the PCT and even been to restaurants and gas stations that PCT hikers pass by. Simply put, the first two weeks felt too familiar. Like I was on vacation at home outside my house in San Diego.
It wasn’t until week 3, crossing I-10 and the San Bernardino Mountains, that I really felt like I was leaving home. I no longer recognized the places I used to frequent as weekend getaways. I felt what most hikers must have felt, especially international hikers, on day 1.
I was in uncharted territory and that made me feel even more alive. Step by step, I said goodbye to San Diego. I guess I made the goodbye as long and dramatic as possible by walking away slowly, but I’ve been known to be dramatic. The beginning of my climb to the PCT was also the culmination of my life in San Diego.
By the third week, the hunger of the hikers was also crazy. I’ve heard people talk about it, but I didn’t expect an insatiable need for food until maybe the Sierras? But not. He hit me good, hard and fast. 😜
In my daily life, I consume an average of between 1,700 and 2,000 calories. I exercise every day and enjoy eating healthy. My diet consists mainly of lean meats, rice and lots of fruits and vegetables. I don’t indulge in many fatty foods, sugars, or sweets (aside from my daily iced lattes which I miss dearly on the road). But I’m just not used to consuming fast food, sugars and thousands of calories. I’m also not used to burning even more thousands of calories daily. And that is where hiker hunger has entered the chat.
On the way, I wake up and immediately eat three packets of overnight oats with powdered peanut butter. I usually have two protein bars for the first hour or so after the hike. I eat as many calories as possible throughout the day, including several packages of tuna and chicken, tortillas, more protein bars, chips, sweets, and end up with a dehydrated and somewhat sweet backpacker meal. And I’m still very hungry.
When I’m in trail towns, it’s like I’ve never seen food before in my life. I dream of fresh fruits and vegetables on the road, but once I’m in the city, it’s like I’ve entered a boxing ring and there are no rules. *DING DING DING* Like everything I see. And things I don’t normally eat in my normal life! Burgers, fries, shakes, chocolate, TONS of candy, hot dogs, sodas, desserts. I am literally amazed and deeply impressed by how much I eat in the city. I feel like I’m on an all you can eat vacation! Everything I eat here I would never binge on at home. And on top of all that, the burgers, the fries, the shakes, and the candy, my abs have gotten more defined!
I can’t imagine what the next four months will be like if I’m already consuming so much. But I’m excited. I’m on a guilt-free hiking vacation and ready to eat!
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