What Now?

2017 PCT Journal

Jun 27

Written By Emory Wanger

“Your blood becomes mixed with it forever.”

— Emory, By Land

June 27, 2017

I'm exhausted. Not from hiking, but from planning our next moves.

Don't get me wrong, this last week was a ball buster with the heat and 4000-foot climbs, but that's just a physical thing. I'm mentally exhausted right now and losing my desire to keep fighting this trail.

Since my last post, I hiked out of Dunsmuir for two days and had to ditch into Etna early because of unknown and varying trail conditions. I finally got back on the trail about 40 miles before the Oregon border, having jumped an amazing portion of the trail called the Trinity Alps.

I can't even think about it without cringing, but it is what it is and I just have to take what I can get.

North facing slopes along the Pacific Crest Trail — North facing slopes

Oregon, Finally. But What Now?

Crossing into Oregon was bittersweet. On one hand, it felt great to be closer to home, while on the other I was haunted knowing that I had not been able to hike all of California. I'm now in Ashland, Oregon, and utterly confused about what I'm actually trying to do here.

I'm not tired from hiking. In fact, my body is feeling great right now. Other than my feet being tender at the end of a 25-mile day, I can tell my body is owning this trail. By the time I wake up in the morning, I'm ready to go again.

What is killing me right now is this guessing game of trail conditions and snow levels. I am spending more energy calling ranger stations and Googling what's ahead of me on the trail than I want to.

I am tired of it.

I want to simply come into town, resupply, and leave. Planning the next 100 miles is becoming such a pain in the ass that my enjoyment levels are at an all-time low.

California/Oregon border on the Pacific Crest Trail — Bittersweet moment

I am in this bad bubble of time. Too early for the snow to melt and I'm not willing to go home for a month to wait it out. Bouncing ahead will only make things worse. Heading back to sections I missed sounds like a logistical nightmare and the thought of having to plan that out puts a pit in my stomach. I simply want to hike. That's it.

It’s a Crapshoot

So, here I sit in Ashland wondering how far up we can go before it's crap again.

I am trying to be grateful for any miles I can get in, but to be honest, it isn't working too well. I have spent years looking forward to this hike so to have it turn into such a crapshoot makes it incredibly difficult to deal with. The fact of the matter is that 2017 is just a bad year on the PCT.

My thoughts naturally turn to the trail ending early for me and for the first time since April 10th, I finally get the feeling that I'm on the PCT. It's been surreal and at times almost fake, until now. The thought of this grand experience ending and having to go back to normal everyday life actually chokes me up a bit.

I see now why people can get addicted to this lifestyle. It's a dream state. Life is simple out here. All you need is right there on your back and as long as you have food and water you can do anything you want.

Zero day in Etna along the Pacific Crest Trail — Loaner bikes in Etna!

My Friend, The PCT

The PCT has become like a good friend to me at times. Like a real relationship almost. Each memory from this trail is a blessing. So many moments, so many miles, and so many beautiful images will forever be seated in my heart. It makes me hurt, it gives me joy, and it remains next to me 24 hours a day, and it pulls no punches. It's there whether I hike that day or not.

I argue with the trail and then like any normal relationship, it rewards me with something beautiful. I have spent time singing, dancing a jig, teared up, sweated, and hurt.

Naps along the Pacific Crest Trail — Rock pillows

Together Forever

At the end of each day, the trail is still there. It goes nowhere. Maybe that's why people fall in love with these long trails. Unlike people, the trail will never leave you and for those who have dealt with personal losses, I'm almost certain that's its most beautiful characteristic. You become emotionally attached to it simply by spending time with the dirt and rocks. Your blood becomes mixed with it forever.

Sentiments like these only come with miles spent on the trail. I'm not sure you can feel like this without having committed to at least trying to thru-hike. When you do, it's an entirely new perspective and you begin to look at the trail differently. I may not be able to hike the hike I had hoped for, but in time I'll be okay with it.

For now, I will continue to migrate north for as long as I can. My blood will continue to mix with the PCT and it will remain honest with me and humble me in many more ways. I have no idea how much longer I can continue before conditions end this hike.

Whether or not I am able to reach Canada is unknown. One thing I do know is that this trail will be here tomorrow, the day after that, and the day after that.

It will remain for years whether I'm on it or not. In the dark, under snow, or in the rain. It will be there waiting.

In Oregon, By Land

Thanks for checking out these posts about my hike up the Pacific Crest Trail! If you have any questions for me or want to connect, you can leave a comment below or shoot me a personal message at emory@byland.co.

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