How many hikes is the PCT?

It happened after I ordered my latte

As I find myself with my backpack leaning against the wall by the door lest I forget it in the morning as I hop in the car to the airport here in Denver for my flight to San Diego, I keep going back to a question the barista at my local coffee shop asked me a few days ago when she asked if I had any fun adventures planned for the summer. Upon hearing that I was about to start hiking the PCT, she smiled and with a straight face asked me – “How many hikes is the PCT?”. 

I have not stopped pondering that question since she uttered it. Of course I was able to recite all of the prerequisite stats about the PCT: 3 states, 5 distinct parts, 702 miles of desert, 5 pairs of shoes, a marathon a day for 102 days, etc, etc, etc.

But just how many hikes is the PCT?

I have certainly prepared myself for the physical hike. The logistics around doing the PCT are well documented and provide a ‘geek-out’ factor that approaches 10 out of 10. But as I pondered the question, it began to dawn on me that are there are other hikes that are part of the PCT. 

The mental hike. The emotional hike. The ‘whatever you want it to be’ hike. 

I have read the advice from numerous sources about never quitting on a bad day, but the question I was asked made me realize that as I arrive in Campo, I am about to embark on an adventure with many facets. Yes we all know there is a high road and a low road to take thanks to Auld Lang Syne every New Year’s Eve, but what songs are there about the mental hike that accompanies the physical?

I have to admit the question has gotten me thinking about just how interesting the mental hike of the PCT is going to be. I can’t say that I know what to expect, but I am excited to be able to share it with you when I begin to experience it.

There is a quote attributed to John Muir – “Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.”  It is not one of his quotes that often comes to mind, especially when you know the mountains are calling, but I like the simple reminder that dirt should be what constitutes some of our paths. I am now thinking, thanks to my local barista, that some of the paths should be mental as well. 

Just one more thing for the pack

I also need to credit my local barista with something else. Her question got me to add one more item to my sacrosanct gear list… I went and bought a note pad so I can journal about the mental hike I am about to undertake on the PCT.

On a side note, asking the person in the store how many ounces a notepad weighed is a topic worthy of another blog. Totally valid question – for anyone hiking the PCT. 

Thanks for reading, have a stellar day, and I leave you with this observation from Tenzing Norway:

“To travel, to experience and learn: that is to live.”

Brandon 

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