September 4, 2018 To Hike Another Day

Granny Hat asked poor Mission a million questions as they traveled US Interstate 5 from Seattle back to San Juan Bautista, CA.  He was patient and well spoken, answering while he massaged his swollen feet. As he talked, Granny was struck by how faithfully a thru-hike mirrors real, everyday life.

So, did you learn anything?

When asked what he learned, Mission laughed and said, “Well, for sure I learned that we can’t expect to be comfortable all the time.  And pain isn’t necessarily a bad thing.”  He talked about how many mornings he felt heavy like bricks were piled on top of him, experienced intense pain in his feet and had the idea that he couldn’t hike another day.  But then, after some oatmeal or a Probar he would take a few steps down the trail and decide that well, maybe, at least, one more day. As long as he was moving, the pain was less severe.  And Vitamin I didn’t hurt. Mission had originally intended to complete the Pacific Crest Trail in 100 days, but fire detours and heavy Sierra snow pack took their toll.  Even in this there was a lesson: “thru-hiking is different than most other sports, the purpose isn’t to ‘win’ but to see what your body can do, what you can endure.”

Our friend, Mike Paddy put it this way, “so proud to know a young man who committed to something bigger than himself and one step at a time….finished.”  Mission says “most anyone can start hiking the PCT but to finish, you will have to change along the way.”  Your gear may have to change, your route will surely change, your expectations will change and your attitude must change.  Mission used podcasts, audio books and favorite songs to help motivate him on the trail: In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins, Shout by Tears for Fears, and for downhill, Around the World by Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Who in the world is out there thru-hiking anyway?

The PCT community is an interesting slice of culture made up of all ages, hailing from countries all around the world (mostly U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, Korea and Japan) and represents a variety of careers, economic status & educational achievement.  Granny Hat wanted to get to know a few more of Mission’s fellow hikers so she asked nosy questions about their Trail Names, where they were from, how old they were, what they did for a living etc.  Mission explained that so many of them were his “tramily” just for a day, then everyone would hike on or take a zero or just part ways never to meet again.  But then occasionally one of his fellow trekkers from the desert would suddenly show up at Crater Lake and together they would hike and catch up. Often the SOBO hikers would leave messages for the NOBO folks, thoughtful and creative.

Some of Mission’s favorite trail buddies were Peanut Feet(pictured to the left, showing Mission the huckleberries), Nocello, Gilligan (and yes he wore the hat) and Trashbath.  Gilligan is in the USAF and hikes when on leave.  Before he ever thru-hiked, he hitch hiked across America going whichever direction his rides took him.

There was one story about a group of five thru-hikers from Israel, nick-named the Israeli Army because they were indeed in military service and they hiked in step up the trail as if they were marchin’ to Zion, ate together, slept on the same tarp and defied fire closures, claiming ignorance due to language barrier even they all spoke decent English.

Granny asked if Mission ever witnessed any arguments or fights on the trail and he told of one brawl in Sierra City that was out of the ordinary.  It seems that after mixing a few beers with catching up on the latest national news, three thru-hikers got hot-headed about border issues and school shootings.  There was quite a bit of yelling, dogmatic statements about racial tendencies, blaming Trump and taking God’s name in vain, you get the picture.  Even though they almost came to blows, Mission said it was funny the way they had a few more beers and then hiked off together as if it had never happened.  This is what comes of spending too much time in a vortex, some hikers just can’t handle civilization as it draws you in with yummy food & spirits and then delivers bad news.  Maybe staying on the trail and keeping our eyes on the goal will keep society’s downer dust off of us.

Mission was privileged to meet Halfmile, whose profile is listed below, at Snoqualmie Pass.  This famous thru-hiker is often on the trail to update his maps and collect data & statistical information.

Home is Where the Heart Is (and where the stars shine at night)

On the way home, Granny Hat and Mission made a quick stop where the PCT crosses Highway 66 in southern Oregon near Ashland.  While there, they met a SOBO hiker named Goss, a cross country runner from Danville CA.  He and Mission swapped some trail information and he accepted a soda and some trail snacks from us.  Then he was on his way down the skinny path, heading toward California.  These thru-hikers are elusive, now you see them, now you don’t.  Mission met a man on the trail who was out hiking for several days with his family.  He hosts a morning radio show in Eugene, Oregon that recently won the Country Hall of Fame award.  Over the years of taking short trips on the trail, he said that most PCT hikers don’t stop to talk so they enjoyed Mission’s company and conversation. “We finally caught one!”, they said.

Granny Hat asked Mission if there is such a thing as POST PCT Resolutions.  He said he didn’t know if it was a thing or not,  but he has one.  He resolves to hike another day.  He reluctantly went back to college but Granny noticed he took his Backpack and his Puffy with him. His heart is still on the trail, he misses the stars looking down on him at night. He hopes to do some trail running on the weekends between study and work.  And he says yes, he will hike the PCT again and hopefully the CDT and AT too.  He’s counting the days.  He has this wish for all of you, family, friends, followers: Go take a Hike! Get outdoors more, walk, run, bike, rock-climb, swim, sail!  Granny Hat is taking the challenge to be outdoors, to enjoy the beauty in creation, to stand barefoot in the dirt or sand every now and then, to go where there are no cars.  And avoid Vortexes at all cost.

DIFFERENT

 

Granny Hat told you there was a dragon.  She wasn’t just imagining dragons. This one stands watch over Interstate 5 north of Shasta, near Yreka, CA.

 

Halfmile: The trail name of a PCT hiker who provides accurate maps to the PCT community in electronic format at no cost. Many hikers feel that halfmile’s maps are the best maps available for the PCT. Before the beginning of the hiking season, many hikers will pool their money and pay to have Halfmile’s maps printed in bulk at a discount.

Vitamin I: Ibuprofen.

Vortex: Anything off trail that draws hikers into it, and hikers find difficult to leave. Usually a town stop, restaurant or trail angel’s home.

Now go take a hike!

Granite Peak Wilderness