Fri Jan 13, 2017 @ 23:22

I had an epiphany two days before the new year. I am going to hike the Pacific Crest Trail this year. This is the summer.

This is how it fits together: I had just started a part-time job as a clerical assistant at my Dad's work. So now I can make some money for my hike. I wouldn't let myself hike and not help pay for it, even though I know my parents would. It just in a sense wouldn't be my own hike, not in the same way. The Pacfic Crest Trail is in some sense for me about gaining independence, and it would feel false if I was entirely dependent on someone else. I was already judged by people on the John Muir Trail for not having a job, for being young, for having light gear - even though I work hard at my college classes and at home, paid for a fair portion of my gear myself, and was the driving force behind my hikes.

I am taking two classes this spring at the community college, both of which end early (one is compressed into a half-semester, and the other is self-paced, at least so I've heard). They are both courses necessary for me getting into college. If that's confusing because I just said I'm in community college, it's because I also homeschool and it is confusing. So, I am faced with the opportunity of being able to start earlier, and not late in the season due to the semester ending May 12th. When else do I see myself being on this schedule while in college? Non.

The other thing that was holding me back was me transfering from community college to a university this fall. You know what? There will never be a perfect time for a thru-hike. If I end up finishing off early, I can still take classes at either TMCC or UNR, the local colleges. Plus, I've already been doing community college classes for 3 years. Time for a break before another long stretch for completing my major.

So, why am I hiking the PCT in general? Other than having always wanted to do it, other than growing up backpacking on the PCT around Tahoe, here is a list of reasons:

• Being outside in nature makes me ridiculously happy.
• It will give me direction and purpose.
• I love walking.
• I do not see myself having this opportunity again during or immediately after college without having to make even bigger sacrifices.
• If I don't do it now, I'm afraid that I never will.
• I want to meet my trail family.
• I want to gain a sense of independence.
• I want to be comfortable with traveling without a plan.
• Adventure.
• I don't get acne when I'm backpacking.
• I have better things to do than take showers.
• I need a break from the stress of school.
• "An unexamined life is not worth living"; what better way to examine my modern lifestyle and what I really need to be comfortable than to abandon it for several days at a time?
• To restore my faith in humanity.
• I will be in very good shape.
• I can eat as much food as I want. On the other hand, it will be a higher concentration of junk than I am used to, and my desire of becoming vegan will have to be delayed.
• Get away from computer screens (like this one. Hi there. Yes, you. Go for a hike).
• There are two things that I have dreamed of doing since I was a little kid, that are a part of who I am. Aaand Deep Springs College is still not co-ed. I am seizing the one dream left available to me.
• I missed both the DNC and RNC while on the JMT this past summer, and it was an absolute pleasure. While I don't agree with running away from politics and becoming complacent, and I would never consider a thru-hike just for those reasons - I also really, deeply, viscerally don't want to have to hear Donald Trump's name or about the stuff that's happening in my country ever again.

A final note: I will brandish my long-handled titanium spoon at anyone who tries to talk to me about Wild, Cheryl Strayed, or Reese Witherspoon. Just kidding.