One Month

Four weeks ago I started my thru-hike at the Mexican boarder heading north towards the Canadian boarder. Two monuments indicate the start and the end of the Pacific Crest Trail. Once I reach the monument in Canada, I will have hiked 2656 miles.

Today I am giving my feet a rest at Mile 455. I am at Hiker Heaven in Agua Dulce, CA. The Saufleys have created such a great place here to hang out and recharge.

Four weeks ago I was not even sure I would make it this far. My first day on the PCT was quite tough. I had planned to go 21 miles the first day, from the Mexican boarder to Lake Morena Campground. The day started out good, though just a few miles into the hike my body started to slow down. Water, food, power-bar, ... nothing seemed to work. Had I been too optimistic? My dream of making it to Canada started to disappear. I slowed down even further and took breaks whenever I saw some shade. I was nor sure I would make it.

It felt like a life time had passed once I reached Hauser Creek. A creek that apparently has not seen water in years. Luckily it was flowing and I had some time to cool my feet in the stream. I felt great and I knew that I would be able to make it to the campground.

The clime after Hauser Creek seemed endless. Fellow hikers were passing me while I was stopping after every step to catch my breath. It seemed that the last five miles grew longer. I was exhausted. Then suddenly I realized that my camel-bag had started to leak. Valuable water was soaking my pack and it's content. Was this it?

After two hours of climbing, the trail stared to flatten and all of a sudden my feet started moving. My spirit lifted and Canada got a lot closer again.

I took my time to watch the sun set before I descended the last miles into the campground.

It was already dark when I reached the registration desk of the Annual Day Zero Pacific Crest Kick Off. I would stay three nights. Hopefully enough time to regain my energy.

On my way to the assigned campsite, I saw a familiar face. Yogi, the author of the PCT Handbook and Town Guide, was passing me. I had used her books for my Thru-Hike preparation. She looked at me and said that I seemed quite relaxed and happy compared to other rather exhausted hikers. My dream of making it all the way to Canada let me forget all my blisters and pain. I was happy that I made my first 21 miles on the PCT.

The Kick Off was an amazing event. Hundreds of people: thru-hikers, former hikers, future hikers, section hikers, trail angels, vendors, etc. All meeting to exchange information about the trail, their experience, their gear and overall have a lot of fun.

Sunday May 1, I hiked out again - rested and energized. It should have been only a 15 mile day, though it became another 20. This time it all worked out.

Now, a month has passed and I have hiked a total of 455 miles. I have had short days with only 2 miles and long days with up to 27 miles. My blisters are gone, as is my first pair of shoes. My ultra lite hiking poles broke when descending from Mt San Jacinto and have been replaced. Some other gear was swapped to loose weight or gain more comfort. It is hard to explain how it is out here. It just feels right and the last four weeks have been an amazing experience.