I am 32 and spent my 20s being a super outdoorsy active adventurer like you (and still am in certain respects). I found around the time I turned 30 that so many things that used to “work” for me - that used to bring me joy and meaning and contentment - just didn’t anymore. I had to do a big reorganization of my life and priorities and one of the things that meant for me was scaling back on travel. Your feelings could be attributed to many things but I wonder if part of it could be that doing something like a thru hike of the PCT just isn’t in line with your current goals and values in the same way maybe it once would have been. Sometimes things just stop working for us.
I don’t actually think that’s the case for me but I appreciate your experience nonetheless! I think more than ever I’m more motivated to be on this thru and sit with the suffering to get through it.
Been following your hike ahead of attempting the PCT next year myself — you have already inspired me, even if you didn’t walk a single mile more. Loving learning from amazing fellow female hikers. Thanks for being so open and honest with us ❤️
I will start a 1,200 mile thru this fall and I needed this. I can’t wait to hike my own hike!
I like to think that I know that not everything will go as planned… that it’s going to hurt… that I will cry… but in reality I love to romanticize backpacking. So I need to check myself and take one day/mile at a time!
Oh you will feel ALL the things but that’s what makes this so challenging and special! It’s like running a 100 miler in terms of emotional depth but it lasts for months instead of a day. One day at a time is all we need to plan ahead for 🩷 Enjoy your own thru!
Starting my hike 2026. Thank you for these words, because as much as I’ve been looking forward to it for so long.. I’m trying to keep expectations at bay. Happy trails to you and to more experiences to come (with all the feelings that come along with them).
Expectations are so so hard but when we can finally be pushed to let them go, it totally changes the experience!! I’m looking forward to this new chapter so deeply 🥹
Wild by Cheryl Strayed is one of my favorite books too! I just remind myself what a boring book it would be if everything went to plan, exactly as she intended. The skipping and piecing together chunks of trail and stories along the way is what made it so hard to put down. You’re just adding more to your story :)
In moments like these, I’m often reminded that pain is inevitable but suffering is optional. Don’t want to label your experience for you at all, just wanted to share what it made me think about. So happy you’ve created this page and I hope this change of pace makes you happy & excited to be out there :)
I am 32 and spent my 20s being a super outdoorsy active adventurer like you (and still am in certain respects). I found around the time I turned 30 that so many things that used to “work” for me - that used to bring me joy and meaning and contentment - just didn’t anymore. I had to do a big reorganization of my life and priorities and one of the things that meant for me was scaling back on travel. Your feelings could be attributed to many things but I wonder if part of it could be that doing something like a thru hike of the PCT just isn’t in line with your current goals and values in the same way maybe it once would have been. Sometimes things just stop working for us.
I don’t actually think that’s the case for me but I appreciate your experience nonetheless! I think more than ever I’m more motivated to be on this thru and sit with the suffering to get through it.
Been following your hike ahead of attempting the PCT next year myself — you have already inspired me, even if you didn’t walk a single mile more. Loving learning from amazing fellow female hikers. Thanks for being so open and honest with us ❤️
Thank you so much for this sweet sweet response! I feel like I’m getting to start fresh on trail and it feels so special!! Thanks for reading!
I will start a 1,200 mile thru this fall and I needed this. I can’t wait to hike my own hike!
I like to think that I know that not everything will go as planned… that it’s going to hurt… that I will cry… but in reality I love to romanticize backpacking. So I need to check myself and take one day/mile at a time!
Oh you will feel ALL the things but that’s what makes this so challenging and special! It’s like running a 100 miler in terms of emotional depth but it lasts for months instead of a day. One day at a time is all we need to plan ahead for 🩷 Enjoy your own thru!
Starting my hike 2026. Thank you for these words, because as much as I’ve been looking forward to it for so long.. I’m trying to keep expectations at bay. Happy trails to you and to more experiences to come (with all the feelings that come along with them).
Expectations are so so hard but when we can finally be pushed to let them go, it totally changes the experience!! I’m looking forward to this new chapter so deeply 🥹
Wild by Cheryl Strayed is one of my favorite books too! I just remind myself what a boring book it would be if everything went to plan, exactly as she intended. The skipping and piecing together chunks of trail and stories along the way is what made it so hard to put down. You’re just adding more to your story :)
Though I’m sure there are moments where it just feels hard as hell for no reason, story be damned, and that is so valid too
In moments like these, I’m often reminded that pain is inevitable but suffering is optional. Don’t want to label your experience for you at all, just wanted to share what it made me think about. So happy you’ve created this page and I hope this change of pace makes you happy & excited to be out there :)