PCT Journal Entry: To Tahoe! (Someone is Emotional)

Jul 12

Written By

The following is a continuation of a series I’m posting of direct excerpts from the journal I kept during my 2018 PCT thru-hike attempt. This stretch of trail was defined by a newfound strength and stamina within myself. I was finally facing more certainty than doubt, a genuine, hard-won appreciation for solitude, and a stunning change in scenery from snow and granite peaks to wildflower fields and towering volcanic rock (slideshow at the bottom).

My mom made many of my meals, and true to form added love notes on all the packaging :)

July 10, 2018

I miss my bear can already. How is that possible? My food feels so much more unwieldy now that it’s just dumped all loose in my pack and not confined in a nice tight jar. I also enjoyed the table function.

Oh well, less weight is better in this case and I’ll get used to not having the can just like I got used to having it.

I had an extremely successful stretch from Tuolumne to Sonora Pass. 4 days, averaging over 18 miles/day. Then I had a super efficient town day and got everything I needed to get/did everything I needed to do without even spending the night. Woke up on trail and went to sleep on trail. That’s my kind of town day.

The next stretch begins today. I’d like to be in South Lake Tahoe by Friday, and I know I can do it.

I like my new style of hiking. It’s really fun to have goals and challenge and surprise myself. This section has been ridiculously stunning so far, and the hiking is also about to get a lot gentler, so I can’t wait to just stroll right along and enjoy the beautiful hills and the otherworldly wildflowers and the aminals.

And Cam comes in 17 days! I hope I make some friends to hang out in Tahoe with. I want to take a zero there proper.

Also new goals:

Climb El Capitan before/by the time I’m 30
Charlie James EP 2020
AT UL SOBO 2021?

July 11, 2018!

Well SOMEONE is emotional today! It’s me. I am the someone. This morning I made coffee and a sort of concrete oats concoction that I can’t finish until I get some more water because at this point it’s more of a clay than a food substance, but anyway I put Mandolin Orange on and every song felt devastatingly sad for some reason and I just cried a little. I think I might need to cry more but I’m not gonna force it.

Anyway I’m starting before 8AM today and really excited about that. This way, the miles will come easier and I can camp earlier if I so desire. Or I can walk late and really put in some big miles. Gotta get started though. As Payless said on Day 1, it’s only an early start if you keep it! Going for 24 today. Let’s see what I can do.