Every great adventure has a beginning. For me, this adventure began in 2008 when I volunteered to help plan some of the logistics for a GT Trailblazers Alternative Spring Break trip to San Diego. I had never been that far west before, and I was immediately drawn to the prospect of expanding my horizons beyond the east coast. After being picked up from the airport by members of the Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA), we spent the next week performing trail maintenance and backpacking on one of the southernmost-sections of the PCT. The scenery and terrain on this arid section were amazing, and I couldn't have asked for a better group of people to be with. I returned to South Carolina (I was co-oping for GE Energy at the time) sunburned and smiling. I didn't realize at the time that I had just taken my first step on a 2,650 mile trail that runs from the US/Mexican border into Canada's Manning Park.
As fate would have it, I returned to the PCT a few months later after moving to Nevada to start a second co-op with GE. I was hiking in the Desolation Wilderness above Lake Tahoe with my dad when a familiar object caught my eye - it was a marker for the Pacific Crest Trail. I would pass this trail marker, and many others just like it, again in the months ahead while trail running in the Sierras. When I returned to the Desolation Wilderness for my 21st birthday, I knew the trail had a permanent attraction over me. Yet it wasn't until very recently that I seriously began to consider making anything more than 20 mile trail runs out of this attraction.
So, what would persuade a 22 year old Georgia Tech grad to suddenly decide to hike a 2,650 mile trail across the deserts, mountains, and misty forests of the west? To give up a paid internship with NASA, hot showers, a soft bed, and most importantly my 2007 Cervelo P2-SL (my beloved but often abused racing bike)? In short, I realized that this was my last chance to do something different. I was frustrated over not having my future 100% planned out, and the uncertainty really began to get to me about whether I would have funding for Stanford, whether I would have any full-time job offers by the time I graduated, and whether or not I was starting to burn-out after years of running myself into the ground with work and extracurriculars. But I did know that whatever happened next, I was entering a stage in life where I would have more, not less, commitments. Whether it was to a full-time employer, to my research as a grad student, or someday a family, I didn't foresee a time beyond graduation that would truly be my own. So I went for it. Despite placing myself on a tight time frame to plan and an even tighter time frame to finish, I decided to hike the Pacific Crest Trail.
For the past month I have been sprinting to catch-up with preparations for a thru-hike. One of my friends who was on the 2008 Trailblazers trip to San Diego completed the hike last year, and she has been an invaluable source of advice on logistics, gear, and mental preparation. I have carefully analyzed, weighed (literally), and ordered (where necessary) every piece of gear that I need to make this trip a success. I wouldn't call my philosophy "ultralite", but I've definitely pared about 10 pounds of base weight off the typical set-up that I use for backpacking. I gave up my full-length air mattress for a short foam pad, my tent for a tarp shelter, and my screaming JetBoil for a quiet little alcohol stove (among many other changes). My base weight is projected to be just over 15 pounds. Not great, but pretty good considering extra items that I'm carrying mainly to minimize my family's concern (e.g., a personal locator beacon that can alert Search & Rescue operators anywhere in the world of my location and need for help).
I aim to start around May 12th. Considering the length of the trail, snow conditions in the Sierras, and my level of experience, finishing the trail on time will be a stretch. I found out last Saturday that I was selected for the NDSEG fellowship, and thus I need to be on-campus at Stanford for orientation the week before September 26th (shucks life is hard :) ). Rather than pushing myself to finish at all costs, I am determined to enjoy the trail, make time to hang out with other hikers on the trail or in town, and to relax without keeping an eye on the clock for the first time in my life. A more reasonable goal would be to make it to the Oregon/Washington border and to then reevaluate my progress based on how much time is left. With that said, the Ironman in me is gunning for a finish ;)
I know many of you live or will be traveling to areas near PCT access points this summer (e.g., LA, Pasadena, Tahoe/the Bay Area, or Seattle), and I would enjoy hiking for a few miles with anyone who is interested. If you would like to meet me on the trail to hike (or to help with supplies), email or call me so that I can send you my itinerary. I don't know how frequently I will be checking my voicemail/email though.
If you are at all interested in sending me any items (I like food, *hint* *hint*), shoot me an email and I will send you the mailing address for Emily (the friend who hiked the PCT last year) - she will be providing logistical support from Atlanta such as mailing me packages when I pass through towns that don't have good resupply options.
With graduation creeping up on me fast, I should probably cut this post off and get back to work before I ramble on. However, I would like to end this post with a few acknowledgements to the people who have made this adventure possible:
First and foremost, I would like to thank my parents for their support and encouragement over the years. I know that you are not entirely pleased with my decision to embark on this trek, and that this adventure will cause you a fair bit of anxiety. However, I thank you for understanding that this is something I need to do for myself, for understanding that a need to live adventurously while pushing myself with new challenges is just the way I am. While no worthy endeavor is without risks, I do not believe that hiking the PCT will be any more dangerous than a typical day in my city life; and I am taking every possible precaution to stay safe.
I also owe a considerable amount of thanks to the amazing mentors that I have had over the years at MAPC, Georgia Tech, GE Energy, OSC, and L-3 Communications. The experience that I have gained while co-oping and researching has extended my education far beyond a stack of textbooks. I would not be going to Stanford next fall, with the support of a fellowship from the Department of Defense, were it not for your guidance. With my near-future lined up, the only load I will have to carry on my shoulders is the weight of my pack.
Lastly, I would like to thank Emily "Golden Child" (trail name) for the hours that she has spent helping me plan this adventure. Your first hand knowledge of the trail and encouragement has been an incredible asset during my short planning period. I can embark on the trail with confidence that I have an expert providing my logistical support. I will have a tough act to live up to in returning the support in some form to future hikers.
I cannot wait to hit the trail in just a few short weeks! It will not be easy and it will not be comfortable at times, but I know that this experience will make me a stronger person. Whatever happens, I hope to emerge refreshed and with a clearer sense of who I am and what I want in life. Even the most beautiful scenery may get boring after a while - but this will make me all the more eager and excited to return to my "normal" life of engineering when it's time to go back to reality. Until then, I've got work to do...
