- Backpacking & Thru-Hiking, California, Lady and Minority Hikers, Leave No Trace, Pacific Crest Trail, SOBO PCT 2021, Solo Hikers, Trail Journals, Trails, Trip Itineraries, Ultralight, United States of America, West Coast
PCT 2021: Hughes Lake to Agua Dulce
Here is the 18th installation of my PCT trail journal (about two weeks off the present timeline as a safety precaution). I made a really tough decision when I got to Agua Dulce with my friends. I decided that I was going to head home early. I haven't yet decided if I'll get back on after Thanksgiving, or if this is it until next year.
- Backpacking & Thru-Hiking, California, Lady and Minority Hikers, Leave No Trace, Pacific Crest Trail, SOBO PCT 2021, Solo Hikers, Trail Journals, Trails, Trip Itineraries, Ultralight, United States of America, West Coast
PCT 2021: Tehachapi to Hikertown to Hughes Lake
Here is the 17th installation of my PCT trail journal. In this section I was supposed to make it to Acton where my friends Chunky Chuckwalla and Smiley were going to join me for the weekend. But all of the negative emotions and lack of motivation that had been dogging me over the last week or so had finally come to a head, and I had to get off trail early at Lake Hughes for a little R&R.
- Backpacking & Thru-Hiking, California, Lady and Minority Hikers, Leave No Trace, Pacific Crest Trail, SOBO PCT 2021, Solo Hikers, Trail Journals, Trails, Trip Itineraries, Ultralight, United States of America, West Coast
PCT 2021: Walker Pass to Tehachapi
Here is the 16th installation of my PCT trail journal. And so begins my journey through the desert. Mexico bound!
- Backpacking & Thru-Hiking, California, Lady and Minority Hikers, Leave No Trace, Pacific Crest Trail, SOBO PCT 2021, Solo Hikers, Trail Journals, Trails, Trip Itineraries, Ultralight, United States of America, West Coast
PCT 2021: Stuck in Bishop awaiting a package
The Hostel California is a vortex, through and through, and I've been sucked in! Not really. I'm stuck in Bishop waiting for a package with my microspikes and a warmer hiking shirt to arrive that's several days late.
- Backpacking & Thru-Hiking, California, Lady and Minority Hikers, Leave No Trace, Pacific Crest Trail, SOBO PCT 2021, Solo Hikers, Trail Journals, Trails, Trip Itineraries, Ultralight, United States of America, West Coast
PCT 2021: Independence to Bishop
Here is where I admit defeat in the wintery Sierra and decide to escape with my tail between my legs. I wanted to prove that sobo hikers CAN go through the Sierra in October, but I was unable to. That doesn't mean it's impossible, I just wasn't prepared. Hopefully in the future I'll have the right gear and supplies to do the Sierra in winter. Good thing I've still got 650 miles is desert to hike!
- Backpacking & Thru-Hiking, California, Lady and Minority Hikers, Leave No Trace, Pacific Crest Trail, SOBO PCT 2021, Solo Hikers, Trail Journals, Trails, Trip Itineraries, Ultralight, United States of America, West Coast
PCT 2021: Lone Pine to Independence
The Sierra certainly is a distinct part of the Pacific Crest Trail! Beautiful in its own, austere sort of way, with its sheer granite faces, scraggly trees holding on for dear life to the wind swept cliffs, exceptionally high altitudes, and an abundance of water features. I am a little bit spoiled, having grown up backpacking in the Sierra, so for the most part this isn't new to me, but I still find it beautiful, and now I am looking at it as an adult, with better knowledge of the surrounding world, and the ability to appreciate it in new ways.
- Backpacking & Thru-Hiking, Backpacking Tips & How To's, Feminine Care, Health, Leave No Trace, Mental & Physical Health
Pee, Poo and Periods
A Backcountry Vagina inspired chat Today is Easter Sunday, so happy resurrection to those of you who celebrate and happy spring to those of you who don’t! I have a feeling this is one of the strangest Easters many of us have every experienced, considering COVID-19 has changed the world as we know it. I have a feeling that you might have been a little shocked by the title (and the subtitle!). I was too when I was asked to teach a bunch of new outdoor recreation staff a class about personal care and health in the outdoors. Shocked and excited! I’d always wanted to learn a little bit more…