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My Actions
The real reason I decided to hike the PCT is because I didn’t enjoy the AT. I wanted to like the AT. It had been a goal to do it since I met my first thru-hikers when I was 11. But, I kinda hated it. I play it up a bit for the audience, but still; even in my most generous description, it was not what I hoped for.
So I thought I’d give the whole thru-hike thing a second go, but this time somewhere drier, and ideally sunnier too. The PCT seemed an ideal trail to at least attempt. A chance at redemption, so to speak. A trail starting in California; the land of rainbows, miracles, and show ponies. A place where all was good and nothing could go wrong.
I spent this winter snowed in in Wyoming. Long days of darkness and blinding snowstorms. When spring finally emerged I was ready to head south to the desert; to wear shorts again; to experience the medically recommended amount of vitamin D.
But… I was deceived. (By who? I don’t know. I have it narrowed down to the universe, myself, or the mainstream media)
The Consequences
It started to rain.
To be entirely fair to the weather; it only started to rain on the 2nd night, and it was only ever a mild drizzle. But, said drizzle and/or general moistness has persisted for several days now. The temperature has also been hovering in the mid 30s, which when combined with the 100% humidity and 20+mph winds, has led to a bit of a miserable weather pattern.
I have spent the past couple days holed up in a hostel in Mount Laguna. Mainly because my wishful thinking and naïveté has left me wildly unprepared to deal with this type of weather; both in terms of gear and willpower.
I was expecting to leave my cold, gray, and rainy trail experience behind in northern New England. I should have known better. It was unreasonable to expect Southern California to be sunny, or god forbid; above freezing. Every fool knows San Diego county is know for its raw, foggy, socked in days. I should have heard that age old saying: “Mount Laguna is the Mt. Washington of southern California.”
I actually find a kind of dark humor to my current situation. I came to the PCT to try and escape the persistent damp, dreary weather that sucks the warmth from your bones; the type of weather that I associate with spring in Maine and the Appalachians in general. But, much like a Greek tragedy; the very actions I took to avoid my greatest fear are the same actions that led me to it. This is my fate. I have come to accept it. I cannot escape the rain; just like everyone else on earth.
Staying Positive
Although the weather has left me feeling like a petulant child who did not receive everything he believes he deserved on Christmas morning; it has given me something to bitch about. And as most people who know me can attest, I do love to bitch.
It’s the little things that keep my spirits up.
Looking ahead to the consequences of the future
Anyways, the weather looks like it should hopefully clear tomorrow. So, hopefully I’ll find some resolve and decide to start walking again.
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