PCT Day 138: New Shoes And A Silly Mistake

Miles hiked today: 14.1 Miles left to finish: 638 I wake up early to get a ride into town with Cyndy, so I can go to the post office to pick up my shoes. When I arrive I have to wait an hour for it to open (I had been expecting this), but when it […]

PCT Days 136 and 137: Getting to Bend

I wake up early to a tent soaked with condensation. Since I am not in a rush, I decide to wait until my tent is dry to start packing up, watching episodes of La Casa De Papel. It is such a gripping show! I pack up, then head to the laundry room, where someone has […]

PCT Days 134 and 135: Crater Lake!

In the morning I say my goodbyes to Janet and Patrick. They have really helped me out here in Ashland – not only by providing me with a home for the past three nights, but also with their medical advice. I get the bus to the Shop’n’Kart store on the edge of town, where they […]

PCT Days 129 to 133: Straight Back To Convalescence

Miles hiked: 3.5 Miles left to finish: 917.5 I wake up at 4am, having planned an early start since we had a 30+ mile day ahead of us. I was going to set off earlier than the others, as I wanted to be able to take foot-airing breaks throughout the day. But when I use […]

PCT Days 127 and 128: I Can Walk Again!

Miles hiked today: 12.9 Miles left to finish: 921 On my last morning with the Nielsens, I make the lattes for everyone using the espresso machine (by now I am a proficient barista). Craig cooks French toast, and then we all help to pack up the car, and clean and tidy the kitchen. Craig and […]

PCT Days 117 to 126: Recovery In A Foodie Paradise With The Nielsens

Miles hiked: 0 Miles left to finish: 1151.9 On my first morning at the Nielsens’, I wake up at 4am, and I’m unable to get back to sleep because it feels like someone has replaced my actual foot with a foot-shaped-balloon that’s about to burst. The swelling continues to get worse, and the skin is […]

PCT Day 116: My Last Day On Trail?

Miles hiked today: 19.3 Miles left to finish: 1151.9 When I wake up, I am filled with immediate concern for my foot. Without even moving it, I can feel the pain from the swelling, which seems to have worsened over night. My fear is that it’s a stress fracture, which will require some time off […]

PCT Day 115: 16 Miles By Midday

Miles hiked today: 26.8 Miles left to finish: 1171.2 Every day on this section, we have said we will start hiking at 6am, and every day we have failed. Today we are the closest we’ve ever been though, and I end up leaving at 6:15, with MVP leaving just shortly after me. There is a […]

PCT Day 114: To All The Meals I’ve Skipped Before

Miles hiked today: 26.4 Miles left to finish: 1198 In the morning, everything is soaked. It didn’t actually rain during the night, but all the moisture from the rainfall during the day seems to have been released directly onto all my belongings overnight, via the magic of condensation. Oh well. We pack away and start […]

PCT Day 113: Burney Falls, Blisters, And Disappointment

Miles hiked today: 24.7 (+some on side trails) Miles left to finish: 1224.4 During the night I wake up to the sound of thunder in the distance. When I open my eyes I can see the lightning flashes, coming from three different spots all fairly far away. It’s a pretty cool moment, feeling a little […]