What is the essence of travel? Is it to relentlessly run around, trying to tick boxes on a previously produced and researched to-do list? Or is it being present in the moment, drifting from one state of being to the next, immersing yourself in the experience? I was pondering this exact question while sitting in my room in Bergamo, Italy, halfway into my second day there. I felt the pressure to go out again, see some more things, do the stuff I had set out to do and finish that stupid list I had compiled….instead, I lay down for a nap. But I am getting ahead of myself, let’s start at the beginning of this trip…
continue reading…Well…at least I got half
On March 24, a marathon hike event was held in Otterberg, Germany which I attended.
It’s about six in the morning when I start the 1.5 hour drive through thick fog towards the event site. I watch the sun rise as a fireball through the misty clouds, relishing in the atmosphere, the quiet before the storm (of people).
Continue reading “Well…at least I got half”Resurfacing
There was a moment last weekend where I stood in the middle of a field, screaming to the heavens.
Continue reading “Resurfacing”PCT Day 75: Am I done?
Wednesday, 19 September 2018
Manter Creek & Tentsite (1959.1) – Somewhere next to a tree (1972.3): 13.2 miles / 678.9 total miles walked
I woke up in the dark, around 5:30, while it was still pretty cold. I did manage to hike out in shorts though, anticipating the hot day ahead. By the faint glow of my headlamp, I made my way up the 2000ft climb. Soon, it was light enough to see, even though the sun didn’t quite reach my freezing fave and legs yet.
PCT Day 74: Back in the desert
Tuesday, 18 September 2018
Junction to Outfitter (1952.2) – Manter Creek & Tentsite (1959.1): 7.1 miles / 665.6 total miles walked
The night in the trailer was more restful than I had hoped, so I woke up pretty refreshed around 7am. I went inside where Scott had already made coffee. We chatted for a while, until Sink came by, when the conversation naturally focused on her again.
PCT Day 73: On to sunnier climes
Monday, 17 September 2018
Mammoth Lakes – Kennedy Meadows: 0 miles
We got up early to catch the bus. It all went very smoothly, with a transfer in Bishop.
I was able to see Mt. Whitney briefly from a distance, a bittersweet feeling for sure. Someday I will be up there, I know it. Just not this year….
After a few hours we reached Inyokern and the heat of the desert. We were immediately picked up by Scott and Kendra (of Kennedy Meadows Grumpy Bear’s fame) and treated to a delicious lunch at their favorite Mexican restaurant.
Afterwards we ran some errands and then headed to a local bar for a few drinks.
Another few hours passed and we then went to their house, had excellent dinner and said hi to two beautiful horses. The night was spent in a trailer in front of their house.
Thank you so much for all your hospitality and help, Kendra and Scott, you are amazing people!
Tomorrow we head back to the trail.
Keeping you posted…
PCT Day 72: JMT Day 9
Sunday, 16 September 2018
Creek (60.3) – Creek (62.7) – Red’s Meadow (59.2): 5.9 miles / 658.5 total miles walked
I guess sometimes you just have to admit defeat. No matter how much you may want something to happen, sometimes it’s smarter to listen to your gut feeling than to push through and potentially endanger yourself.
PCT Day 71: JMT Day 8
Saturday, 15 September 2018
Red’s Meadow (59.2) – Creek (60.3): 1.1 miles / 652.6 total miles walked
I woke up early again. According to tracking, the package had left Bakersfield at 1am this morning. Well….I guess there was still a chance then, to finally be able to get it.
PCT Day 70: JMT Day 7
Friday, 14 September 2018
Mammoth Lakes: 0 miles
Once upon a time, there was a little hiker in need of a warm layer and an external battery, among other things. So she asked her trusted support system to prepare a package and send it her way. On August 30, the package was dropped off at the post office in a land far far away (Montana) with a delivery time set to be September 2.
PCT Day 69: JMT Day 6
Thursday, 13 September 2018
Mammoth Lakes: 0 miles
Even though the bed was comfortable, I couldn’t sleep. I woke up at 1 am and worked on the blog, tiring myself out enough to be able to go back to sleep by around 2:30. Woke up to the smell of coffee at 6.