Emilie Bikes and Hikes

The PCT

Well, the time has come. Maybe it’s a little earlier than I anticipated, but I truly cannot think of a better year to embark on my most ambitious adventure yet – the coveted Pacific Crest Trail. 2650 miles over all different kinds of terrain traveling north from Mexico to Canada. Sounds intimidating and an adventure I never really thought I’d even attempt to accomplish, but like all things I set out to do, why not?

the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT for short for my fingers’ sake) is a continuous footpath from Mexico traveling through California, Oregon, and Washington with a northern terminus of Canada. While not main stream in popularity (like it’s eastern brother The Appalachian Trail) it certainly gained recognition from Reese Witherspoon’s portrayal of Cheryl Strayed in “Wild” (I have very strong opinions on this, as a woman who frequently hikes solo, but I’ll keep them to myself) and only gained popularity with COVID shut downs initiating a surge of outdoor enthusiasm. The trail, whose thought was initially conceived exactly 100 years ago, was completed in 1993. Its hardened miles attract thousands of hikers from around the world with its vast views of the California desert, the breathtaking eastern Sierras, Oregon’s rich bounty, and Washington’s tough Cascades, yielding to the almighty Canadian goal.

Why?

So why would someone want to spend months on end in the wilderness tackling thousands of miles alone? Well, add it to my list. Having traveled from Canda to Mexico by bike, isn’t this just the next logical step?? The seed was actually planted during my John Muir Trial excursion in 2018, but it didn’t really bloom until I passed a PCT sign riding from San Diego to St. Augustine along the Southern Tier Bike Route in 2021. Only 40 miles from the Mexico border, I ordered my dear travel companion Sheena to halt immediately, for I needed a picture with this sign! After departure, I looked back at that sign with a promise to it (and unknowingly at the time – to me), that I’d be back to see it. I didn’t realize that it would only be 5 years from then! But no time like the present, especially when I have relative youth on my side.

Between some of my other travels, I have already hiked roughly 14% of the PCT. I have experienced some of what it has to offer and I can’t wait to go out there and see the rest of it! The Sierras are some of the most beautiful mountains you can explore, and I’m happy to return and experience them in such a different way.

It’s difficult to put into words how backpacking makes you feel and the impression it places on you, like an invisible tattoo meant for your eyes only. Only those who have gone out there, with all they could possibly need to survive strapped to their back, can understand the pure elation and impact of thru-hiking.  With two years coming since the end of my Colorado Trail experience, I haven’t spent one day without it popping into my head. Sure, all the bad memories have faded to, “oh – that day wasn’t THAT bad” or “wow, that was actually the most memorable part of the trip” or “lightning storms totally exposed at 10,000′ is actually invigorating”. So naturally I’m itching to get back out there again to experience all the Type II fun a trail has to offer.  It’s amazing what your body can do if you just give it the chance to prove itself. Mile after mile, day after day with limited sleep and calories and yet the body keeps going. It’s often the mind that will throw in the towel first.

Barriers to Success

And that is just about my biggest fear setting out for a trip of this caliber. I’m doing it alone. Sheena (my dearest adventure companion) won’t be joining me, so I won’t have my most trusted person there with me to help make major decisions or just laugh along during the good (and more importantly horrible) times. Though it is a very popular trail, I doubt I’ll truly ever be alone. People meet lifelong friends on the trail, sharing one not so common denominator – being crazy enough to even attempt a 2650 mile trail. While I’m sure I’ll be fortunate enough to make such connections, sometimes the unfortunate truth is these connections can also turn toxic. I’m not ignorant of the fact that these trails bring out the best and worst in people. Latching on to someone might mean pulling you up a mountain, or be the chain that drags you down and off the trail. Making difficult decisions to disengage fellow hikers who I likely will continue to encounter throughout the trail may be necessary. But enough of the negative talk – I’m sure whoever I run into will be delightful and only enhance the experience. But still, I wish Sheena was coming along.

Along with mental fatigue, I have no doubt I will have physical pains as well. As the old saying goes (okay, it’s my own original saying, but it’s old enough for me), “you’re hiking nonstop with a 30 pound pack, of course it’s going to hurt! Suck it up buttercup, it’s all temporary”. And ain’t that the truth. I know my body isn’t what it was 10 years ago as I departed for the transamerica bike route (holy cow how was that TEN YEARS AGO!?). I have aching bunions. I have tendons that don’t bounce back like they used to. I have random pains that come and go. But know what else I got? A body that I know is capable of handling whatever is thrown its way. I’m not expecting this to be a walk in the park by any stretch of the imagination, but I also know what my body can do. I know it rises to the challenge. It’s one of my favorite things about hiking – seeing and feeling how my body adapts to the challenges I force upon it. Even after years of training in a gym, I never feel as strong as I do coming off a hike or bike tour.

Along with the physical pains, I am also terrified to get sick in the middle of nowhere. During the Colorado Trail, I had firsthand experience of just how unbelievably horrific being sick on trail is. Thankfully during this experience in which I was cursed by the stomach bug gods to expel all that was within me, I had Sheena to help get me through the 8 miles to Salida.  What was even more kismet was having respite at my cousin’s home to pay the 48 hours penance the gods required. I don’t think I’ll be as lucky on the PCT. First – I don’t have Sheena, second – I doubt getting off trail will be as easy as an 8 mile hike, third – though I have a million cousins, none are along the PCT.  And if anything, this winter has proven I am a magnet for illness and I have the immune system of a Victorian-era child. After getting through COVID, the flu, and bronchitis from November to December, I truly hope I have paid my sick dues, but it may be an unpayable debt.

Gear

I haven’t changed much of my gear from the Colorado Trail. I’m sticking with my sleep system and keeping the good ol’ hyperlite pack, Minnie. Big Booty Judy is officially retired. After hauling her 45lb self for years, my body needs a break. I’m still not sure how I managed it. After one trip with Minnie, I knew it was time to move on.

I’ll still be cold soaking meals, so I don’t have to worry about a stove and all that comes along with it. I may change my mind in the Sierras when I’m chilled to the bone and a cup of cold ramen just doesn’t hit like it did in the desert. The good thing is there are gear stores littered along the entire trail, anything I need I’ll be able to pick up along the way.

Personally, one of the things about backpacking I hate the most is packing up camp in the morning – namely stuffing that dang sleeping bag into its tiny little compression sack. It infuriates me in a way that is not reasonable or easily explainable. Just know, it ticks me off. I have finally decided to take the leap and do what everyone else does – just stuff it in a darn stuff sack with everything else and call it a day. I have always been against this. My father raised me to be meticulous with camping gear and make sure everything is put away just so. Plus compressing the sleeping bag to as small as possible saves space in your pack! But saving my mental health I think is a little more important. And thus, I will be putting all my sleep system (minus tent) into a waterproof bag all willy nilly praying for the best. This will save me 2 min during camp breakdown and probably 2 gazillion mental breakdowns.

But other than that, everything is basically the same. Don’t have to reinvent the wheel when the wheel you got runs relatively smoothly. I did trade in some small things for lighter weight things and will have extra warm things because I’m terrified of being cold. I’m packing 2 pairs of gloves and down booties. I also will be packing extra warm clothes that an ultralight (UL) backpacker I’m sure will scoff at during some point of the hike. Scoff all you want, buddy! My tootsies will be nice and toasty in these booties!

Speaking of cold, there are a few spots where ice and snow are of concern. Mainly the San Jacinto mountains and the Sierras. Considering I’ll be hitting the San Jacintos early in the trek (approximately 2 weeks in), I want to be prepared for the snow conditions. I will have microspikes with me from the start (sorry UL bros!) and may get an ice axe just prior to entering this region depending on the snow. More than one hiker has perished from not taking these precautions seriously, and the last thing I want is to be another name on that list. The Fowler O’Sullivan Foundation, Fowler-O’Sullivan Foundation – Assisting Families of Missing Hikers, is a wonderful organization that helps families of missing hikers as well as provide hikers with discounted snow equipment to prevent money being a deterrent for using potentially life saving gear. Their story is a sad one, but it’s inspiring how they turned tragedy into helping others.

**Currently (3/21) California is in an unexpected “heat dome” in which much of the snow I will encounter in the desert has already melted. I may save a pound of weight by leaving the microspikes at home. Fabulous! Though this heat dome has caused a bundle of other issues. Water is now a scarce resource in the desert as many of the streams have already dried up. The already low snowpack in the Sierra has started to melt, making crossing them in June likely manageable, but again, water sources may be scarce, requiring long water carries. Low water also means higher risk for wild fire. Will this be a repeat of 2018 JMT in which my last few days were cut short because of a wildfire? I sure hope not, but like anything else, humans were built to adapt, and so, I shall adapt to whatever challenges I may face out there**

Oh! And I’ll be sporting some new fancy ultralight trekking poles! Maybe that’ll distract the UL bros from my booties. I entered a contest in a Facebook group (I have so far won THREE things from these groups, luck may be on my side) and won Ruta Locura Yana Trekking poles. They seriously weigh nothing. Which is a bit concerning, mainly because I feel like I could bend them with just a little pressure. But according to reviews, they’re the best money can buy and are super reliable and durable.

Training

I hate to admit it, but I have not been training for the PCT like I had been for the Colorado Trail. It’s been a rather tough winter here on the East coast. After just getting over one storm that dumped ice and snow (I had forgotten what grass looked like with 4 weeks of it being covered) we experienced a blizzard of 24”. I think the Sierras could’ve used this, not us! I have been using a 20lb weighted vest at the gym on the stair master and the treadmill. After a few weeks of that, 20lb feels like nothing and I feel more confident that at least my tendons and ligaments will be primed and ready to go. It’s also acclimating me for the stench of not showering for days on end. Doing an hour on the Stairmaster with that thing on turns me into a sweat factory. I can’t exactly throw it in the wash, so the thing has turned into a disgusting smelly creature that no amount of Febreze or vinegar can touch. I’m embarrassed even whipping it out at the gym, but it has to happen, sorry folks!

 I’m trying to get in a good stretching routine to make sure my hips are at least a little more flexible. Notoriously, the first 2 weeks on trail is when you get the most “training” in… start easy with low mileage days and soon your body will adapt and be ready for bigger mileage days. Conversely, the first 2 weeks on trail are also when most people drop out from injury.  The last thing I want to do is have to stop (even for a couple of days) to nurse an injury. Time is money out there, and any delay must be made up on the back end. I would love a smooth journey, but I know that is impossible when talking about a 2650 mile journey. If I can mitigate the risk of injury to decrease the chances of one affecting me, I’ll certainly do just that.

These types of trails are notorious for being effective at major weight loss. At only 5 weeks on the Colorado Trail, I lost 12 pounds – nearly 12% of my body weight. I cannot afford to lose this amount of weight consistently on the PCT. Without proper nutrition, you are more susceptible to injury and hyponatremia, both of which can take you off the trail. Plus, no one wants to hike hangry! Buring 3000+ calories a day, it’s all but impossible to eat at maintenance. Weight loss will happen, it’s just crucial to prevent massive loss quickly. I have tried my best to gain weight prior to setting foot on trail for my body to draw from, but that is proving to be a hard task. Stress from planning a 4.5 month hike away from family, friends, and pets as well as general life anxiety has effectively killed my appetite. I have actually lost weight. But all the celebrating during my last hoorah week before leaving may provide the boost I’m desperately seeking!

Update: I did a shakeout hike! I hiked the boring (to me) Batona Trail through the New Jersey Pinelands. While I didn’t have a run in with the Jersey Devil, I did test out all my gear and pushed my body in preparation for the PCT. You can read about it here (The Batona Trail – Emilie Bikes and Hikes) but the condensed version is that I now have a new air mattress, a reliable pair of rain paints, and boosted confidence that I can handle big mile days. Sure 22 miles on flat Jersey trail is different than out in the mountains, but I did it with relative ease so I’m ready for what the PCT may bring!

Logistics:

On a 2650 mile trail, logistics are going to be necessary. First off, the PCT requires a permit if you plan on going more than 500 miles. This permit system is quite interesting and unlike any permitting system I’ve ever been a part of. If you know me, you know permits are not my thing. So much so that I decided to forgo a permit and hike the whole Grand Canyon in one (very long) day Rim to Rim (Grand Canyon AZ) 2019 – Emilie Bikes and Hikes. Without boring you with all the details, you are essentially assigned a random personal login time from 10am-3pm PST  in which you can snag any of 50 permits for early March to early June. Given that most people want to start from early to late April, these dates go the quickest. If you’re assigned an early login time, you’re in luck! You will likely have your desired start date. But if you have a late login time, good luck. You either will have to start in the snow or the dry desert heat. You can always look for cancelled permits if you have a bad date. Luckily, with a 10:31am login time, I nabbed my dream date: April 16. This is a perfect date because you still have relatively cool days in the desert and get to the Sierra mountains just as the snow is starting to melt, allowing for safe passage. With a permit secured, it was time for the real planning!

Except, planning for 2650 miles is all but impossible. From all the research I’ve done on facebook (PCT facebook groups are a wealth of toxic knowledge) and reddit, the best plan is no plan. Being someone agonized over resupply for my JMT and Colorado Trail experience, going in without any kind of resupply plan is baffling and anxiety inducing. It is recommended to plan only the first four days out there, any more than that is useless. Usually after four days all plans go out the window. I’m seeing that now as I observe people already on the trail. Some expected high mileage days from the jump but realized that 10 MPD is much more doable. Others underestimated water or the harm that comes with blisters, either needing unplanned rest days, rescue, or just plain quitting. I will be sending a resupply to Kennedy Meadows South (mm 703) because of bear canister requirements and likely will be sending a few to some obscure Washington towns, but other than that I’m flying by the seat of my pants. Sure, I hate it, but it’s all about being comfortable with being uncomfortable. Plans may go South, but I won’t let it derail me from going North. Plus, the trail provides.

And as always, I bought the maps on FarOut to help guide me as well as provide intel. FarOut is a map app in which members can post up to date details on the trail, mainly water updates or camping options. Water updates are critical, particularly in the desert section. Knowing if a stream is flowing or bone dry is crucial for maintaining hydration as well as being aware of the amount of water you have to carry at any given time.

I fly into San Diego 2 days before I am due to start the trail. I booked a hotel right on the Pacific Beach for hopefully a relaxing last night in a real bed with what I hope to be a delightful last supper. I then will catch public transportation to the transit center in Old Town to catch a free shuffle provided by trail angel Keith to Campo, the start of the trail.  I will be camping overnight at CLEEF and start my first day bright and early.

Trail Breakdown

Notoriously, there are 4 distinct sections of the PCT, all with their own challenges. Below I break them down and review special considerations a hiker needs to be mindful prior to setting out as well as my own personal fears for each section.

Desert: Mile 0-703

Special considerations: Being it’s 703 miles of desert, water and heat are the primary concern. This section is notorious for long water carries and praying that trail angels re-stocked coveted water caches. There are long unshaded sections that can get blazing hot. I’m hopeful that with my mid-April start date that the temperatures will be moderate and manageable, though this heat dome business has me questioning this. I would rather be hot than cold, but not hot enough where I have to worry about heat stroke. Most hikers mitigate these fears by starting early and taking siestas during the heat of the day. That might mean a late arrival into camp, but it’s worth avoiding the risk of heat stroke or dehydration.

Fears: I worry about encountering a nasty mean rattlesnake, falling into a poodle dog bush (no, this isn’t a made up Dr. Seuss vegetation – it’s a very real, dangerous, and prolific plant in the desert) as well as running into snow in high elevation. I have also heard horror stories about folks that hang out along the trail closer to Los Angeles as well as risky characters in, off all places, Hikertown. I hope to be in a group when passing through and I’m planning on skipping Hikertown altogether. Another huge fear I have is the Mission Creek section within the desert. Thanks to tropical storm Hilary in 2023, a large section of the trail was washed out. Just last year a girl had to be rescued after attempting this section of trail totally unaware that it was washed out. After sliding down, she was found clinging to the side of the mountain where she had been for hours. There is apparently an easy to follow detour, but knowing my navigation skills, I’ll probably end up in Arizona. This is also the section that most people quit – usually from injury. I was lucky enough to never experience any overwhelming pain on the Colorado Trail or JMT, but I’m also a few years older with crankier ligaments. Overuse injury is not something to write off and has taken thousands of hikers off the trail permanently.

Sierra: Mile 702-1092

Special considerations: With a likely arrival at Kennedy Meadow South, the official start of the Sierras, the beginning of June, I know that I will very likely encounter snow. Just how much won’t be known until I get there. Today, in mid March, the Sierras are having lower than average snow pack, meaning likely easy passing through. However, that also means less water and higher fire risk. But the mountains are unpredictable and there is plenty of time for storms to add literally hundreds of inches of snow to high elevations. My plan is to enter the Sierras with a group (or even one other person) of individuals I trust in high stakes situations. This will alleviate a lot of fears I have with managing snow and river crossings.

Fears: Anyone who knows me knows I hate the cold. Truly. I believe I have Raynauds Syndrome with my biggest symptom being complete loss of fine motor control in my hands when cold. It could be the hottest day of the summer and my hands are freezing – just ask any of my patients! I find I get cold easily and that turns into a miserable experience that is hard to recover from. Add rain and wind? That’s a recipe for me to quit. I will have plenty of warm clothes, including gloves, mittens, and down booties for nighttime. I am also fearful of water crossings. Having already gone through the Sierras, I know that some of the streams and creeks pose danger to anyone attempting to cross. Getting taken by a strong current stream is not how I want this adventure, and potentially life, to end. I will mitigate this risk by crossing large streams/creeks early in the day when the snow pack has not had a chance to melt in the afternoon sun. This will likely slow me down, but better late than dead! While I have little to no fear of bear encounters, they aren’t unheard of in the Sierras. To mitigate bear risk, bear canisters for food containment is necessary in this section through parts of northern California. I have completed most of this section already, if I did it then I can do it again!

Northern California: Miles 1092-1692

Special considerations: Known as the “NorCal Blues”, the mental fatigue of making it through this section is apparently very real. With not much to see past Tahoe, it seems like it’s a “keep your head down and march” section. Granted, after what I’m sure will be a tough trek through the Sierras, I think my nervous system might enjoy the break some boring hiking will bring. If anyone is apt to visit, this is the section to do it! All I ask is you bring me my mom’s pepperoni bread – I will no doubt be having a huge hankering for it by then!

Fears: My biggest fear is my mental health. After this amount of time on trail, tripling the mileage of the Colorado Trail, I worry that I might get to the point of “well I did enough, I’m done”. I am hoping I will be stronger than that mentally, especially at that point, but I have no way of predicting this. I quit the Tahoe Rim Trail because I mentally wasn’t into it. Sure, Addie was being watched by strangers and I felt so guilty dragging her out there, but I was so mentally checked out nothing could convince me to finish that trail. Addie (and the cats) will thankfully be in good hands at home, but I may find another reason to come home with my tail between my legs.  Bears are also known to roam around here (lest we forget the great Tahoe bear encounter of 2021 in which they literally stole someone’s bear canister after a full night of stalking) but they tend to leave us two legged folks alone.

The trail continues through 456 miles of Oregon and 505 miles of Washington. These two sections are such wildcards for me, and as such, I won’t elaborate much on them, just in case I don’t make it (gotta be realistic – the odds are not in my favor!!). I’m not sure what to expect, though I have experienced some of what Oregon has to offer. I’m excited to see what these PNW states have in store for me, particularly Washington, which (from a hiking perspective) is totally untouched land for me.

I have heard of blowdowns that make these sections difficult and stressful, but the beauty makes it all worth it. By the time I get to these states, I will be very much in fire season. As of right now, the snow pack in these regions is below average. Should things not change, fire risk goes up, as does risk for having to skip some sections due to fire closures. Washington was also hit pretty hard this winter with floods that have wiped out some sections of trail. I’m hopeful that by the time I get there, established detours will be in place to ensure safety. All in all, these sections are the most anticipated for me – just have to get through the 1652 miles of California to see them!

Well, that just about summarizes it. I have still a lot to do before heading out, including telling work! Oh dear, hopefully I’ll have a job to come back home to, but I might really be pushing my luck this time (edit: I have a job to come back to!). I’m fully expecting this journey to be tough. A lot of people love to highlight the good parts of their thru-hikes. The “look at these views!” and the “magic of it all!” and “I will never be the same” is all fine and dandy, but I’m expecting those feeling of elation and joy to be few and far between on this trip, but the few I do encounter I expect to be the best life has to offer. I’m planning on highlighting the good and the bad. I won’t sugarcoat the physical pain, the mental breakdowns, or the little frustrations that can make or break a day. That’s all part of the journey. I’m going in with the expectation that (on average) 50% of the day to be boring, 25% to absolutely suck, and 25% to be thrilling and exhilarating, I mean that sure as heck beats my current ratios, so I’m down to get going!!

The Batona Trail is a 50-53 mile (honestly I don’t think anyone knows. It’s impossible to find a correct and accurate mileage report, more on that later) thru trail that got its name from condensing the phrase Back To Nature into the cute little name it goes by now (Ba-To-Na). The trail cuts through three state forests at the heart of the Pine Barrens. Common in Jersey lore, the pine barrens are a unique habitat punctuated with pine and oak trees and home to many cedar water rivers, flora, and fauna. And above all, the pine barrens are home to the infamous Jersey Devil, a figure who just the thought of sent shivers down my spine camping in Girl Scouts. But really, the Batona Trail is just a boring flat trail that held no interest to me. With sandy trail and monotonous views void of sweeping landscapes and vistas, why would I ever waste my time completing this trail?

Well, all these negatives are exactly why I decided to thru hike the Batona Trail. In preparation for the PCT, I needed a shakeout trail that would test not only my gear and physical abilities, but something that would test my mental fortitude. Cue The Batona Trail. Can I handle big mile days? Sure. Can I handle all my gear and survive if something fails? Hopefully. But can I manage to not want to jump out of my skin if I’m bored out of my mind on a trail that brings nothing to the table? Well, this is where I have my doubts. So I packed my pack (Minnie is back), strapped on my new (discounted!) trail runners, and set off in hopes of conquering the BT.

Logistics for this trail were… difficult. I only could afford 3 days and 2 nights. 53 miles in that timeframe is totally doable. The wrench in the plans is camping. You cannot wild camp on the BT. You can only camp in established campgrounds that you have to register for. The problem is they are horribly spaced for a 3 day attempt. The only way I could work it would be a 17 mile, 18 mile, then a 20+ miler. Not ideal, but could be worse.

The first day set off without a hitch (literally, my dad dropped me off). I started excited to see what the trail would bring. Well, that excitement turned to frustration when faced with the first hurdle – blowdowns. A blizzard passed through this area 2 weeks ago, dumping well over 18 inches of snow 2 weeks after an ice storm of the century that had only just started to thaw out. The Blizzard of 2026 destroyed many trees who were unable to withstand the weight of the snow. Many of those fallen trees happened to land right in the middle of the trail. Navigating through that was difficult and taxing, but luckily most were easy to pass. I only saw 2 people the entire day and stopped dead in my tracks when I spotted my initials etched into the trail right before my very eyes. Is the Jersey Devil out to get me?! My brain could not comprehend the coincidence until my dad texted me… the jokester did it when coming back home. I have to remind him of the leave no trace principles, ha!

The day was fine until I got to the cutoff for the campground. It was a mile of blowdowns that were all but impossible to manage. The only way through was around them, in feet high brambles of angry greenbriar, better known as thorns. It took patience and time to pass, both of which I was running out of just by the time I got through. My legs took the brunt of it, the thorns pierced through my skin leaving many scratches. Knowing I had to go back through in the morning was daunting, but hard things will happen on the PCT so no use complaining.

Camp was empty and quiet despite being right on a road. I learned that my air mattress was holey and unable to hold air. Fabulous! I knew I was in for a rough night. I couldn’t find the holes to repair, so my best bet was to blow it up and pray that I would fall asleep in the 7 minutes it took to deflate before I felt the icy ground. That’s the issue – not the discomfort of sleeping on a hard ground, but the lack of insulation from the frozen ground the mattress provides. At 37 degrees F, I was certainly shivering through the entire night. But again, the PCT will surely provide fairly numerous nights of discomfort, so I may as well get used to it.

I slept in (yes I was actually able to get in a few hours!) and broke down camp lazily the next day. I managed to get through the mile connector trail at the loss of my Frogg Togg rain pains. Stepping over the blow downs ripped the crotch in record time (any Frogg Togg pants owner knows these crotch rips are notorious. I held together my pants with Duct Tape the entire CT) and the thorns tattered the rest. Adding to the list of gear to get. The night before I realized I grossly underpacked food and did not have enough for the next day. Imagine my delight when 6 miles into the hike I spotted a beautiful sight – Julia running towards me with plenty of goodies to get me through the hike! We walked together briskly for a few miles until our trails departed. The trail provides, and Julia certainly is a trail angel!

Trail magic is something that hikers refer to as tiny unexpected blessings usually from strangers that make your hike better. In the three days I was out, I encountered a surpingly high amount of trail magic from (unbeknownst to them) trail angels for such a quiet trail. Julia obviously was one example. I had one woman offer me an armful of snacks at the Batsto Visitor Center and another woman offer me an entire peanut butter sandwich on trail. While I wasn’t desperate enough to accept, it’s nice to know that there are people out there who offer what they have to a stranger. For all they know, their kindness could have made the difference between quitting and being able to go on.

I made it to camp early and had an uneventful evening – other than finding the holes in my airmattress! I was able to hunt them down and patch them. I was so unbelievably excited that I wouldn’t have to spend another night on the cold hard ground! Bedtime was as soon as the sun went down. With daylight savings that night and a 20+ mile day the next day, I knew I had to get up early.

And so I did. I woke up dazed and confused at 4:15am not sure exactly what time my body thought it was (3:15am as I have come to realize in an unconfused state). I got on the trail at 5am and used my new and fancy headlamp to guide me through the dark forest. At first I was a little nervous about what lurked in the woods (I heard a very unsettling half hour scream/chant fest at midnight that night) but after a mile or two I settled in and was able to navigate the trail without issue. I learned that the little green glitter that caught the light of the headlamp were spider eyes and was deeply unsettled by the amount there were lining the forest floor – literally thousands. I got to the high point of the trail – a whopping 205 feet! That’s only 12,948 feet difference between the high point of the PCT, HA!

The morning brought rain that quickly changed to hot and humid as the sun came out. My feet started to hurt and the last few miles were truly a sufferfest. But again, I’m expecting to hurt on the PCT so may as well get used to it. After 22.2 miles, I ended the trail with my dad and high tailed it home. Overall, it was a fun experience and definitely got me ready for all that I would expect on the PCT in a smaller scale. And happily, my mental state held strong – mission accomplished.

Day 27 August 13: 18.8 Miles

Another morning, another wet tent. Went to bed with clear blue skies, awoke at 10pm with rain. It didn’t last long, but was enough to ensure a cold and wet pack up in the morning. It wouldn’t be so annoying if not for the fact that a wet tent adds probably 3 additional pounds to the pack. But hopefully it’ll be dry and clear during the day to dry it out during a break. 

Mission accomplished. After a few miles we were able to dry everything out, opting for an early morning dry out because of inclement weather reports for the rest of the day, great. 

We’ve been leapfrogging the last few days with a lovely couple from Germany. We originally met them in Twin Lakes, where they departed for the western collegiates while we went east. After hearing their (and others as well) reports on the western route, I’m very happy with our decision. Mostly above tree line, they were pelted with daily violent storms. In fact, the storms were so horrific many bailed out. Having experienced exposed storms on the JMT, I know how utterly terrifying that can be. That along with nightly rain I’m sure has dampened their spirits, but they always greet us warmly and with a smile. I hope we continue to see them! 

We also ran into Shaggy (aka Hamburglar) and his trusty sidekick Scooby (aka Grimace). They’re thru hiking but Scooby has had some issues with his paws (yes he’s a dog), and needed a few days off while Shaggy continued. Luckily for them, Shaggy’s dad is following along in an RV and can resupply or help with Scooby the whole way! Lucky dog. 

While talking and walking with Shaggy and Scooby, we came across the most amazing sight – a trail angel! Yesterday’s morale was at an all time low and seeing the most amazing spread of everything a hungry and exhausted hiker could want truly lifted spirits. Having hiked the CT 5 times, Tim knew exactly what we were craving! From fruit to snacks to candy to even bug spray and sunscreen, Tim and his wife Judy were truly what the doctor ordered. Made the next several miles all the more merrier. 

Today could not have been a more picture perfect day with regards to trail, elevation, and views. The trail was rock less and actually flat. We were mostly exposed in gorgeous meadows with sweeping panoramic views. After yesterday, that was much much welcome. But we did pay the price with afternoon clouds and rain. 

After almost 19 miles, we were ready to call it quits. The site we wanted to stay at was problematic- dead tree central. With more clouds rolling in, staying under dead trees with a storm is just plain dumb. We decided to join Shaggy, Scooby, and another hiker Mark in a semi exposed area just as the rain really started to come down. It’s a cozy little party of tents. And misery loves company, which looks like we’ll have plenty of misery to share. 

Though the rain ended in an hour and lent itself to a beautiful rainbow. We quickly ate dinner and went to bed, hopeful that maybe, just maybe, we’ll have a dry night. 

Day 28 August 14: 16 miles 

No such luck. It rained, and we got frustrated, but moved on. At this point it’s better to just be prepared and expect to wake up wet. It ultimately isn’t a huge deal, but totally dampens spirits. Woke up to a sad Shaggy saying he was going to backtrack a few miles to meet with his dad to get Scooby off the trail. His paws are not doing well and he made the right decision to bail him out. I know the feeling all too well!

After such a long day yesterday, we were hoping for another forgiving day today. Which is exactly what we got. Lots of views with easy elevation. 

Towards the end of the day I was slightly ahead of Sheena when I turned a blind corner and entered into an open field. I saw what I initially thought was a deer run from the water into the trees. Only deer don’t run so close to the ground or so nimbly. I recognized that run immediately – it was a cat! Only way bigger and more stealth than my one eyed and my three legged cats. It definitely wasn’t a mountain lion, I can only assume it was a bobcat. First sign of wild life other than deer or elk! Now if only a moose or bear would show up (in the far distance, of course). 

Also of note, we’re officially out of cow county! No more camping next to cow poop or worrying about contaminated water! Oh happy days. 

We have a really great camping spot we are sharing with the Germans. We are both praying for a dry night, but certainly not holding our breath. 

Day 29 August 15: 16.5 miles

Well it didn’t rain! But darn was it cold overnight. For a second I thought it was just me until I opened my tent and it was completely stiff from being encased in frost. Huh… I guess it really was cold!

After thawing out, we were off for what was anticipated to be a very challenging day. Lots of miles with what looked like 5 very challenging climbs. Despite all that, today was by far my favorite day of this entire trip (don’t tell anyone I hiked with today this!). It was what I’ve been waiting to see and what I’ve anticipated from the Colorado trail. Today was a dream. 

The climbs weren’t horrible, most were short and manageable with two being longer. But with the majority of the day being above tree line and completely exposed, there was so much distraction from the discomfort of a steep climb. So much so, I had a bit of a tumble that my knee took the brunt of. But I was able to shake it off and keep going. 

After the second climb, I looked across the valley to a set of mountains. I saw what looked like a trail going right up to the highest peak. I laughed to myself, “man I feel sorry for the sucker who has to go up that!”, and even pointed it out to Sheena. As we descended, it became increasingly clear that we were headed straight towards that dreaded trail. It was a mile and a quarter of straight up, but conquerable. 

I absolutely love being out of the trees and exposed. You can see for miles including where the trail is going. When weather is on your side it’s an absolute delight. You can even see who’s ahead or who’s gaining on you! We maintained our leapfrog relationship with the Germans and have added Mike AKA Critter AKA Cricket to our crew, though I’m sure he’ll blow past us soon. 

One of the highlights of the day was seeing not only one, but two moose! With yesterday’s bobcat encounter and today’s bull moose sighting, I just need to see a bear to win wildlife bingo. 

We got into camp late (for us) today, around 7pm. Still plenty of daylight, we were able to Set up camp and eat dinner but retreated to our tents because it’s already so cold. There are 6 of us scattered around a tiny lake and I’m predicting a cold cold night again. All 6 of us have the same idea – hike an easy 5 miles to get into Lake City for a resupply. It’s going to be tricky navigating how 6 people are all going to get a hitch into town, but if the past is any indicator, Sheena and I should be alright. 

Day 30 August 16: 5 miles

After waking up yesterday encased in ice, I went to bed prepared with 2 pairs of socks, 2 pairs of pants, 3 shirts, and a hat and gloves. Though I was still pretty cold up at 12.3k’, at least we woke up dry!

We had an easy 5 mile walk to the trailhead to try and hitch into town. We didn’t expect to see 3 other people we’ve never met before trying the same thing! Competition isn’t great when hitching and there definitely is not strength in numbers. Fortunately, after about 15 min a truck came by to drop off CDT hikers. We asked if he could take us all back into town and he said of course! And wouldn’t you know the Germans were coming down off the trail at this very moment. Sheena ran to them to tell them to hurry their butts up if they want an easy ride! And just like that Casey fit all 7 of us in his truck and took us into Lake City. 

Just about anyone hiking the CT stops in the little quaint town of Lake City. Because it’s 100 miles from Salida, hikers need a good resupply stop and Lake City fits the bill – and boy do they cater to us hikers! The community center is open 9-5 to help hikers with just about anything they could need. From food to toiletries to gear, they welcomed us with open arms. 

We did laundry, grocery shopped, and most importantly- booked a hotel and ate. It’ll be great to sleep in a warm clean bed! 

We’re only staying here for an overnight, but this town is worth so much longer of a visit. The people here are so warm and eager to help, it’s a heartwarming little place with some pretty rich history. We were told about the town’s most well known celebrity – a cannibal. Lovely! We have a ride set up for back to the trail tomorrow with Casey, one less thing to worry about. 

Day 31 August 17: 17.3 miles

Happy birthday Sheena!!! I truly couldn’t imagine doing this hike with anyone else. She can handle my eccentricities with patience, humor, and kindness. So happy to be spending her special day with her!

Can’t say that sleeping in the hotel lent itself to a great night’s sleep. Whoever was above us decided 3:45am was a perfectly fine time to audition for a river dance! It was beyond frustrating, but I will give him the benefit of the doubt and hope that he was getting up early to conquer a 14er. 

Casey picked us up right on time and made a pit stop at the local bakery. And let me tell you this bakery is worth the hype. A delicious donut and sausage kolache hit the spot perfectly! With that sitting in my belly I was ready to conquer whatever today threw our way. 

And whoa did it threw us a doozy. We knew we were in for it when looking at the map. Lots of elevation gain with little camping potential. But we made our way through just like we always do. 

We are officially in the San Juan’s and boy am I happy we saved this for last. We were above tree line the majority of the day with views that will last a lifetime. I have so many pictures it’s hard figuring out which ones to post! We even hit the highest point of the CT, 13,271’! It’s all downhill from here, right? Right?!

We were chased by some pretty gnarly storms all day that we managed to outrun. We’re still pretty high at 12.7k’ and super exposed. After watching the sky for about an hour, we are fully surrounded by storms. Lightning and thunder are everywhere around us, but not over us. Hopefully it stays that way and we have a dry night without being terrorized by lightning and thunder. 

Day 32 August 18: 15.4 Miles

Well we weren’t able to dodge the storms, but at least we were already in our tents. Thunder, lightning, wind, rain, and coyotes soothed us to sleep. The lighting, while frequent and close, didn’t last all too long. We even got a second dose of rain right before getting up, great! 

Not sure if it’s mental fatigue or I just really miss her, but just the mention of Addie’s name puts me into tears. I cannot wait to see her again! 

In fact, all of today was physically grueling. More up and down which is getting pretty old. Legs are fatigued, feet ache, and mentally I’m pretty spent from not sleeping all too great the last few nights. 

But still, the views were amazing so here are some pictures in place of words:

We have also been running into a number of mountain bikers taking place in a Colorado Trail Race. It set off last Sunday at 4am and the first place racer came in at 4 days. The crew we ran into today are apparently at the back of the pack, but they’re having fun anyway (but really how much fun is racing a bike in the mountains on 1 hour of sleep??). One guy we ran into, Eric, was especially a character. He was wearing a fox costume which was explained by his company, Embark. Embark is a 2 person operation (Eric and his wife) and they make endurance nutrition supplements with maple syrup they make on their maple syrup farm. So if you’re into ultra endurance activities (I mean who isn’t?) check them out! 

Exhausted from yesterday and today, we ended today a little short and will make up the distance tomorrow. We’re shooting for an end date of exactly one week from today – final stretch!

Day 33 August 19: 16.2 miles

Very much not a good night’s sleep. Where we decided to camp was pretty sloped and i constantly woke up to stop from sliding all the way to the bottom of the tent. We were also surrounded by chirping marmots, and while I do have “Marmot” plastered all over my tent, it surely isn’t an open invitation. We got rain about an hour before our alarm, but woke up to dry tents. I even had to ask Sheena if it truly did rain to make sure I wasn’t going totally crazy!

Our hike started with more ups and downs and ended with an extreme 8 mile downhill. The sights were gorgeous as usual and we even saw another moose, but from a distance too far to capture by camera. 

We are surrounded by old mining operations and saw many remnants of what was once a booming business, drawing thousands out to Colorado. Unfortunately, over time, a lot of these operations have contaminated much of the rivers we draw water from for drinking. Even with a filter, I don’t feel comfortable drinking from these water sources. Which means practicing discretion when obtaining water and even longer water carries. 

We were hit by two storms today, the second being a little more violent than the first. But now that we’re below tree line, we’re not so worried about the threat of being struck by lightning. 

We’re camping just shy of our intended goal for the day. We saw a flat spot and jumped at the opportunity, as we’re not sure what further on would have camping wise. After the last 2 nights of unflat camping and all the woes that come with it, I’ll happily add on an additional quarter mile to tomorrow’s hike to make it up. In fact, we only have 5 miles tomorrow to Silverton, our last supply and where we’ll meet my dad who so selfishly drove out here to see us! 

We hit 400 miles today, we only have about 86 more miles left before this adventure comes to an end. We’re so close!

In 2018 I was fortunate enough to hike the Four Passes Loop in the Snowmass Wilderness of Colorado with my dad and two brothers. Fresh off the John Muir Trail, I was ready to take on the challenges that climbing four passes presents. Assaulted by bad weather and left almost abandoned until the fateful flip of a coin determined we trudge along (you can read about it here https://emiliebikesandhikes.com/2021/01/03/four-passes-loop-2018/). I remember this hike being one of the most gorgeous trails I’ve ever been on, so when Sheena, Craig, and Jordan suggested hiking it this summer, of course I jumped on the opportunity!

Since hiking it in 2018, a lot has changed logistically to get to the trail due to the spike in popularity (thanks COVID). But I won’t bore you with the details. The most important thing is that the hike still does not require permits to hike – so the most frustrating aspect of most hikes wasn’t a factor this time around, which made my frantic 2 week preparation for the hike easy!

Having experienced a bad case of altitude sickness on the JMT, I knew I needed to acclimate in order to safely and happily climb four passes all over 12,000 feet without wanting to jump off to alleviate the headache, nausea, and weakness altitude tends to bring. I was fortunate enough to be in Colorado the same time as Aaron, who I met 2 years ago in Florida and was such a help last year during the Southern Tier in Texas. After spending some time with his mom Ronie in Loveland, we headed into the mountains to spend time with his sister and her daughters in Alma, CO. Infamous for being the highest town in the US at 10,301′, I knew there was no better place to acclimate. And imagine my delight when I realized that I rode my bike past Audrey’s house just 6 years ago (to the day!) on the transam during the 100+ mile day death march through the Rockies. Memories flooded back as I witnessed 7 different TransAmers ride past the house, either relieved from conquering Hoosier Pass or pedaling slowly up it. I experienced no altitude symptoms as I enjoyed my time in Alma. I was able to run, walk MarnDog (coolest dog West of the Mississippi), hike, play in an extremely competitive matching game tournament, explore the surrounding towns, cheer on Juniper at baseball, and just in general have a great time with everyone. Audrey, Bella, and June were absolute delights to stay with and may have planted a seed to look into that area to move sometime in the future!

Alas, the tourist fun had to come to an end and it was time to meet up with Sheena and the guys in Avon. Aaron was kind enough to take us to the trailhead bright and early Friday morning to get an early start. Envious from the beauty of just the trailhead, Aaron wished he could join us. Maybe a third trip around the loop is in my future! With Sheena fresh off a 12 hour workshift and the guys coming in late from a concert at the Red Rocks, no one was ready to take on the first day with sufficient sleep, but the mountains were calling and this was not the time to complain about being sleepy!

Day 1: 11.5 miles 3462′ elevation gain

And so we were off! With a slight drizzle we hiked 1.5 miles to Crater Lake, the official start (for us) of the loop. After a few pictures, we split up.

Not wanting to slow down the boys, Sheena and I stayed back to take our time. With the amount of people on this popular trail, finding campsites can be challenging. We told the boys to secure a site and, “we’ll get there when we get there”. With two passes to get over the first day, we didn’t want to feel rushed.

We took our minds off the initial climb up Maroon Pass by catching up (wow, there was a lot to catch up on!). As we climbed, memories from my first trek around the loop came flooding back, including memories of bad weather. Which was exactly what was rolling in. Knowing powerful afternoon storms are common in the mountains and being atop a pass is not where you want to be, I grew slightly anxious at the gathering clouds. But we hustled up Maroon Pass, avoiding any sign of danger. I am certain my mom’s prayers for us helped keep the monsoon at bay. In 2018, the weather prevented a good look out from Maroon Pass. This was not the case this time around. This hike was worth it if only to see that view. What absolute beauty! A valley full of angry boisterous clouds on one side, rolling hills of brilliant green on the other. We spend some time taking in the beauty, but it was getting late and the clouds were getting darker. After all, we had another pass to get over!

We enjoyed the descent and eventual gradual climb to Frigid Air Pass. There was beauty everywhere we looked. I remember it being stunning four years ago – but not this stunning! Wildflowers were in full bloom, accenting the vibrant green with yellows, magentas, blues, and lavenders. It was dazzling and felt like walking through a field of dreams.

Those dreams quickly turned to nightmares, however, as we approached the last half mile of the pass. With vivid memories of it’s harsh grade and unforgiving steepness, I didn’t sugar coat it for Sheena – this was going to suck. But, always one to impress with her tenacity and determination, an already exhausted Sheena (who had COVID just 2 weeks ago) rose to the occasion and conquered the pass like a seasoned pro. The last 100′ of the pass was ungodly steep. Not even the Grand Canyon has grades like that! We weren’t the only ones struggling. There was a train of about 15 people behind us slowly ascending the slope with various degrees of obvious outward pain. I was thankful for these people, as lightning and thunder were present in the distance I felt more secure with my decision to ascend the pass in inclement weather. At least I wasn’t the only idiot, ha! After getting to the summit and celebrating with pictures, it started to rain and we scurried down off the pass quickly to below treeline.

Without service, we were left to blindly find Craig and Jordan. We would yell “Craig? Jordan!?” to any pair of tents we came across. I’m sure we startled more than one unsuspecting camper retreating into their tents to shield them from the rain. After a few unsuccessful “This has gotta be them!”s, we finally found them around 7pm. They were also rightfully exhausted. So much so, in fact, that they went straight to sleep after we arrived. We scarfed down dinner and sought shelter into our tents for some much needed rest. What a long, exhausting day. But I couldn’t be more proud or feel more accomplished. We did today what took me 2 days to complete 4 years ago! Two passes done, two to go!

Day 2: 8.16 miles, 2202′ elevation gain

Let me preface this with the disclaimer that my memory is extremely poor. If I don’t write it down, it will likely escape my brain. I wrote the 2018 blog post 2.5 years after the fact, based purely on memory. Then I forgot to read it before embarking on this journey. I do NOT have any memory of today’s pass being this brutal! I’ll get to that in a minute.

Today started slowly. After a long day yesterday, a long rest was necessary. I slept well enough – awoken throughout the night by gentle rain. I got out of my tent later than ever at 6:30am. The boys were experiencing altitude symptoms (which apparently they were suffering from all day yesterday as well). Fortunately, after eating and waking up, they started to feel better. We were on our way at 9:30am, a much later start than Sheena and I are used to. On our bike tours we were usually hitting the road by 7:30am! But with only one pass to conquer, 3 less miles, and my poor memory assuring Sheena today wouldn’t be tough, we weren’t concerned about the late start.

The first two miles were glorious. Mostly downhill, we stuck with the boys where in Sheena’s sleep deprived state, she told us all about the various wildflowers, including the infamous Italian Paintbrushes, or more commonly known as Indian Paintbrushes.

We all knew Trailrider Pass was going to be long and unpleasant, me especially, but apparently the trauma of the pass escaped my memory. Because this thing started aggressively and was relentless, like Frigid Air on steroids. 2.5 miles of steep climbs we took in stride. The boys went ahead as we trudged along slow and steady. Again, having the guys secure a campsite ahead of time decreased anxiety immensely about where we were staying the night. Tired from yesterday, it took a good while to get up the beast, including many mental health breaks. But together, Sheena and I did it. I tried distracting her with a brain teaser, which proved futile as she solved it in less than 2 minutes. Darn that brain of hers! As a further attempt of distraction, we calculated how much of a mechanical disadvantage Sheena is in compared to me. We calculated that my strides are a little shy of 30% longer than her’s just by the simple fact that I’m taller. Interesting, I’m sure the guy’s are at least 50% larger! No wonder they can charge ahead so quickly.

At the top we rested for a while, taking in the views of what looked like a tiny Snowmass Lake, our destination for the night.

We were excited for the descent, unsuspecting of what was to come. Going down proved itself just as treacherous as going up. From steep rocky trail to falling victim to a snow patch to transversing loose boulders that could lead to a dramatic end, getting down Trailrider Pass was no easy task.

But we did it! Eventually we found the boys around 7pm. They got there early and secured an awesome site near the lake. It was gorgeous, but like everything else, the mosquitoes took out a lot of the enjoyment! I caught the sunset, ate dinner, and am now ready for another early night turn in.

Day 3: 9 miles, 1726′ elevation gain

Once again I woke up at the most inconvenient time to have my bladder request an emptying. Seeing it was only 2am, I couldn’t possibly hold it until my alarm went off, so out into the dark I went. Upon arriving back to my tent, I looked toward the lake. The mountains that towered over the trees were bathed in the moonlight, their granite faces illuminated in such a way that almost beckoned me to take a closer look. When mountains call, I must go. So with a light on in my tent to guide me back and armed with a headlamp, I made my way to the lake. But not without trouble. There are a dozen trails to the lake, and after taking the wrong one and ending up almost walking right into another hiker’s tent, I abandoned my mission and retreated back to my tent. But alas, stubborn old me told myself that my parents didn’t raise a quitter and I set back out to the lake. Second times the charm and I arrived unscathed to an absolute magnificent sight. The lake was still and the mountains towered above like silent stone kings. The stars were glittering above, dotting the night sky with pinpoints of light adding to the brilliance of the display. The magnitude of what I was seeing and the silence surrounding me was both calming and alarming at the same time. Terrified isn’t the right word, the closest feeling I can relate this to is seeing the total eclipse during total inclusion. Almost a primal fear filled my veins, but I couldn’t stop watching. I tried to take a few pictures, but none could possibly do this experience justice. I sat for a few minutes to soak it all in before stumbling back to my tent.

Not soon after I was awakened to get ready for the last day on the trail. Sheena and I both agreed it was a good idea to get up and out early to get over the final pass before afternoon. Considering I couldn’t trust my memory, for all we knew the last pass will be just as treacherous as the last two. We were on our way by 6:45am.

Shielded from the sun by the mountains and cooled by a freezing creek crossing, we headed up the beginning of Buckskin pass swiftly and efficiently. There are a ton of dogs on the trail, which made my heart ache almost as much as my legs. I miss Addie and wish she could be out here with us, but after the trauma of last year’s Tahoe excursion, I will never put her through that again. When I took out my backpack to pack it, she just about cowered in fear – I could see the trauma in her poor little eye! Besides, while most of the dogs out here are extremely well behaved, more than a few unleashed dogs posed a few problems and Addie would not put up with that. She’s in good hands at home with my parents.

About half way up, our progress slowed only slightly as the sun appeared and heated the mountain. Fortunately, the last half of the pass proved to be more forgiving than all of the other passes. The grade lessened and Sheena and I arrived to the top together all smiles. The views atop Buckskin were stunning, arguably the best of the hike. Sweeping landscapes of all different colors and textures were a sight for sore eyes (and feet, and legs, and backs). We rewarded our aching bunions with a long break. About half an hour later we were ready to finish the hike. We looked down from where we came from and saw Craig making his way up the pass. Those boys are fast!

The way down was quick and soon the boys caught up to us. We all agreed that Buckskin was the easiest of the passes and voted the favorite. The boys got ahead and Sheena and I took our time back to Maroon lake. On our way I ran into Doug, a fellow Widener PT grad! The look of confusion on his face when I yelled his name matched the confusion in my brain of, “I know you… but how and why are you here?!” He is working as a travel PT and lucked out with a Colorado placement. Talk about a small world!

Soon we all met back up and took the shuttle and bus into Aspen, happy to take a mode of transportation other than our feet. We congratulated ourselves with shots (Sheena had to have Jameson, of course) and burgers. We were all exhausted and ready to shower and relax.

The Four Passes Loop is a difficult trek for experienced hikers, let alone beginners. But like riding a bike across the country for the first time, Sheena took on this challenge head on and earned the trail name “Trial by Fire”. I’m hopeful this experience didn’t traumatize her from backpacking and that I now have a new trail buddy. Cause like I told her already, if you can finish this trail, you can finish any trail.