Ellen Takes a Hike

 I (Ellen) have decided to take a hike; literally and figuratively.  A couple of years ago, Marvin and I listened to an audio book entitled Wild, by Cheryl Strayed, also made into an excellent movie starring Reese Witherspoon.  It is the story of Cheryl's personal crisis (the loss of her mother), a downward spiral in her life, a chance sighting of a book about the Pacific Crest Trail, and her subsequent tackling of the 2,650-mile trail in order to sort herself out. 

I used to be an avid backpacker, so while her personal story touched my heart, the story of the trail itself, the outdoor experiences and the idea of staying in the woods for 5 months to commune with Mother Nature was even more intriguing to me.  It lit a spark that has been smoldering since. 

For 30 years I’ve had “thru hiking” the Continental Divide Trail on my bucket list.  However, as I did the research, the CDT is less established, so it is much easier to get lost without exceptional navigating and map reading skills.  It is also less traveled, so a hiker may not see another person for weeks.  It would be better to do in a group, rather than as a lone hiker.

The no-maintenance hiker hairdo.

After taking a class called “Thru Hiking 101” and talking with the instructor, the PCT seems custom made for my run at a backpacking trip lasting longer than a couple of weeks.

So why do this hike now?  Many folks on the trail have taken sabbatical or quit their jobs for the adventure of a life-time.  Therefore, the hikers are mostly young people.  I did a similar thing when I took off a year to travel and hike in my mid-twenties.  My dad told me that life is fun as long as you have adventure or something to look forward to.  He claimed that when a person has met their life's goals and dreams and no longer looks forward to the next thing, they begin to lose interest in life. 

Months of meals, maps & supplies.

 I’ve missed the backpacking I used to do.  I love day-hiking, but still have the desire to see if I can accomplish a “thru hike.”  I’m a little concerned that I can finish this one.  It is usually a 5-month process, especially for someone my age.  I should have started mid-April in order to get through the Washington Cascades before snowfall, but for various reasons, I ended up with a permit starting the end of May.  Hopefully, once I get accustom to hiking day after day, I’ll be able to up the daily miles and make up the difference, hoping to finish by the first of October. I can also do what is called a "flip-flop" hike, skipping the desert if it is too hot, and returning to finish that portion later.

Supply boxes numbered and labeled.

 I will post periodically, putting a link on Facebook when I do post, or you may check this blog site occasionally.  Marv will be heading up trail support and resupply, so perhaps he will do some postings from his perspective from time to time.  Check back the first part of June for the start of the adventure.  To learn more about this trail, see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Crest_Trail 

Also, check out the post on our Half Dome Hike last summer.