This is the start of my blogging about my hike on the Pacific Crest Trail. New here? I’ve had this blog for 10+ years (dude what) and while it started as a “fashion” blog, and has since evolved into a life, style, and design blog, I’m taking a turn and documenting my adventure on the PCT. Its a break from the usual of this blog but I hope you’ll stick around anyway. Cheers!
Getting to a starting point is always such a process. There’s travel and logistics, packing and planning, research and time. Lots. Of. Time. And time is funny in that way – it never seems to move how one would like it to. In this case, I wanted it to move faster just as much as I hoped it would slow down just a touch. But I’m here. Ladies and gents, we’ve made it to the start. Kind of. This is day zero. Specifically, day zero zero zero. Three zeros. But it’s the start. And, despite the process of getting here, and the process the next couple of days will be in getting to the trail, I feel expectant and ready. The adventure is beginning.
Thursday
My parents dropped me off at a hotel for my flight to San Diego tomorrow, and I should note that saying goodbye was about 200% less weepy than the goodbye I had when leaving for college. So that’s good. It feels strange to be here – in a hotel room, alone, with my backpack, excited and nervous and hoping that my love of peanut butter & oatmeal endures these next few months. Keep your fingers crossed, friends.
Friday
The closer I get to starting this hike, the more I’m reminded of how much this will be a practice in going with the flow. When I guided at Beyond Malibu, I was introduced to the term PIBE. Play it by ear. But here’s the thing – I don’t usually play things by ear. No. I play things by schedule – by to do lists and plans and preparations. Already I’ve had little nudges, whispers of “hey, you’re not really in control of anything here so sit back and enjoy the ride.” I’ll just count the next few months as an intensive course in learning to PIBE.
Upon arriving in San Diego, after sitting on the runway waiting for literally 19 planes to take off before us, I was able to spend time with a friend from Beyond Malibu. These friendships are so sweet, and it was refreshing after the rush of the past couple weeks to just walk the beach, eat açaí bowls, listen to the waves, and catch up on life.
Saturday
A collection of random thoughts I’ve had today:
I am realizing that I may single handedly destroy the planet on this hike, between my ziplock bags and plastic water bottles. There are bags to keep food in, bags for electronics, bags for trash and used baby wipes and for my journal. I’m also realizing I will be carrying more water on day one than I probably drank in two full days at Beyond Malibu. Being in the desert makes me feel like ~hydrate or dydrate~ is a little more serious.
All of that being said, I’ve finally made it to Scout and Frodo’s, amazingly generous trail angels in San Diego who host hikers. Getting dropped off felt a little like being left at summer camp as a kid. Excitement, nerves, and so many introductions. There are people from all around the world here – how incredible that what brings us all together is a thin little trail running up the west coast.
Now, here in my sleeping bag, I am sleepy and ready to rest. Finally, at last, the process of getting there is almost finished.