Inspiration

Every big endeavor starts with an idea. Sometimes, that idea is small and barely noticed before is springs into action. Some ideas take shape over years.

I was first captivated by the idea of hiking one of the long trails when my running buddy mentioned that his brother was hiking the Appalachian trail in segments over several years. Although, I had never really hiked or backpacked much, the idea was immediately appealing. A few months later, I joined my friend’s brother on the Shenandoah section of the Appalachian Trail and absolutely loved it.

I began to plan for a thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail after speaking with two PCT thru-hikers on the Appalachian Trail. The tread and the views on the PCT seemed better to me. The idea of an unconventional route also sprang those two thru-hikers. But the allure of the PCT grew as I read hiker blogs and watched hiker videos.

The people below inspired me to hike this year. I don’t know any of them personally, however, their dedication and storytelling ability tweaked my imagination. I hope my story will inspire and inform others as well.

Carrot Quinn

I read Carrot’s PCT blog, and her book about her 2013 PCT thru-hike. Her honesty and vulnerability affected me. She can also be whimsical. Her writing is poetic and unsettling: just like the trail. She introduced the term “stickbreaker” to me, and I hope I can be as accepting of them as she was.

Hurlgoat

Hurlgoat has a YouTube channel. I love the joy he exudes in his videos, especially when it comes to the “vyoos”. Every day he acts like the luckiest man alive, and I believe him. He’s Canadian, too, so he never takes himself too seriously.

Mary Poppins

I was introduced to Mary on Hurlgoat’s videos. She has crossed paths with Carrot, too. Her reverence for the journey impressed me. One photo in particular sticks with me: at the halfway point of a SOBO PCT hike she kneels in reverence in front of the trail marker. You don’t need to know what she is thinking – her body says it all. As a person of faith, I understand the value of a heartfelt gesture, of physical piety and the way such practices can connect one to God. Her blog and photos are a gift.

Brown Girl On The PCT

This lady is funny! Her PCT blog is so entertaining and yet, she is so self-effacing! As a person of color, she brings a new perspective to the trail. She would be fun to hike with. Her post about her feelings in the Sierra’s were breathtaking. I don’t know another blogger who expresses what is almost impossible to express in words: awe, gratitude, glory.

Dixie

Dixie is a triple-crowner. Her PCT vlog on YouTube is excellent. She does a great job of capturing the small moments on the trail (bugs, flowers, weather) that really make the hike come alive. Her drone footage is incredible. Her innate goofiness is a welcome relief to all the self-important videos you see on YouTube.

All these writers share a respect for their audience that makes them worthy as chroniclers of the journey. Their stories inspire me. I pray, with this blog, that I make something worthy, too.