Why am I climbing the PCT?!?

What the hell am I doing!!!

This is a thought that usually appears at different times, but more frequently as my start date gets closer. Why am I climbing the PCT? The countdown has begun and my head is filled with thoughts like: why am I leaving the comfort of the modern world behind? Like running water or a flushing toilet. Belly laughing with my friends. Sleeping in my comfortable bed, oh, I love my bed. Even giving up the night scroll.

I had to spend a good amount of time convincing those around me why I’m doing this too. For friends and family who aren’t immediately on board (I don’t blame them), I can see their gears turning, trying to figure out why I would do something like this. Why would you leave a seemingly good job for something hard, dirty, and scary? I’ve had to find good reasons for it not to seem as crazy. But mostly for me, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about my reasoning.

I’ve boiled it down to three words: connection, catalyst, challenge.

Connection. To myself, to nature, to the hiking community.

For me, hiking is a spiritual practice. I am a yogi in my daily life and what an opportunity this is to practice yoga. No, I don’t expect to be in Warrior 2 or Tree Pose all the time (although definitely some of the time)! But I’m talking about the other 90% of the non-physical parts of yoga. It will be an opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the pure amazement that the landscapes have to offer. Feeling connected not only to myself and my body, but also to something much, much bigger than myself. Feeling humbled by Mother Nature and feeling deep gratitude for her. What’s a better way to engage all the senses? Listen and work with my body. To notice the effects of a simple and minimalist lifestyle. Where else can you have hours and hours to ponder your thoughts (a little scary to be honest) while experiencing probably the full range of human emotions? There is no doubt that there will be some degree of personal transformation when starting something so new and different.

Another connection that I am very excited about is learning about the special and unique community that this trail brings together. People who are like-minded and crazy enough to embark on this journey. The social culture of the PCT really caught my attention. Including all the angels of the path who support him from the sidelines. I’m so excited for all the characters I’ll meet!!!

catalyst it’s for him change I’m looking for. I am ripe in the age of quarter life crises and simply needed a change! I’ve lived in Boston for a few years, working at a company that was killing my spark. There are many things I love about Boston, but it seemed chaotic and claustrophobic (without a car, I was stuck there whether I liked it or not). That feeling plus a job that wasn’t a good fit, my soul signaled it was time to leave (shout out anxiety and depression xoxo). I was always daydreaming about nature, places in the west that I had only seen online, but not with my own eyes. At the rate I was going, I felt like I’d never get to see it (dramatic, I know) unless I made a change.

And perhaps this was a drastic change; Maybe I swung the pendulum too much? I’m new to backpacking and trying to do a hike ha ha. Jump off the cliff and build your wings on the way down, right? Surely this walk will teach me the skills I want to learn. Every time I travel or embark on a new adventure, I always gain new perspectives. This will be no different. Who knows what will happen out there!

Challenge It’s simply that. This is something that might make me shit my pants if I think about it too much (!!!). There is something to be said about facing your fears head on with a smile on your face. I’m definitely going to step out of my comfort zone but I won’t let fear write the narrative. This adventure will test my ability to «find my edge» in a whole new way: pushing the limits my mind has set, getting in tune with my body, and persevering when it’s challenging, all while maintaining a sense of hope. This is truly the ultimate physical and mental challenge, and although I am terrified, I am also deeply excited and curious!

It will be very important to turn to WHY when you are unlucky, hungry, tired, uncomfortable, etc. It will be the fuel to move forward. I also wrote my lists as suggested by the Pacific Crest Trials book, this is my summary! Those already on this website probably have a good understanding of why someone would want to address something like this. But for those who don’t understand it, or for someone who is new to backpacking like me, I hope it gives you a little more information!

Cheers to something new!

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