OK, YOU GOT ME...I read Wild by Cheryl Strayed (and if you haven't, I strongly recommend that you do). A powerful story that planted the first PCT seed in my brain, I'll admit it was part of what led me to decide on a thru-hike. I often choose books based on their cover, and picked up Wild because of it's simplicity; the single Danner boot was remarkably similar to the work boots I had just purchased in preparation for a month long term with WisCorps. I was embarking on my first real solo adventure, where the book kept me in good company. Still, reading Cheryl's story was the least of the insights I was about to unearth. I was finding myself- something I didn't think was possible at the hearty age of 23- but I was fresh out of a break up, and the world was new. I discovered a raw passion for hard work, the outdoors, and a certain male co-worker. I felt brave, inspired, and loved. I was unstoppable.
That was 2014. When the idea of a PCT thru-hike entered my head that summer, I couldn't get rid of it. I spent the next years silently planning, but it wasn't until moving to California in 2016 that I really started to understand what I had committed to. The trail was no longer a vision, but a real place that my feet had already touched. Over the last few months the pressure has been building, especially with several other commitments and my sudden decision to hike SOBO. But still now, I am unstoppable.
IF YOU KNOW ME, you know the way I can get about waste. Last summer while living near the PCT, the hiker herd came and went in the span of about 10 days. They left town to be on their way, but also left behind trash- lots of it. Don't get me wrong, they took pretty good care of the place, but my eyes picked out the overflowing cans in a rush of irritation. I was shocked that people I likened to myself could create such a massive amount of waste. I told myself I would do it differently.
So, you can probably guess what's coming next- another waste oriented challenge I've dubbed 'A Little Green Hike'. This time, as opposed to the 2014 in-home project, I won't be setting a maximum waste goal. Instead, my aim is to measure just the amount of waste I DO create on trail. The general idea is to box my trash and send it ahead of me as I walk, but details on that will come in a later post. My planning and resupply will involve as many low-waste options as possible, and at the end of my hike I'll have a visual representation of the impact that even a conscious thru-hiker can make.
BECAUSE OF THIS PROJECT and my enthusiasm for sustainability, I've garnered quite a bit of sponsorship and support from several companies, who deserve some serious love. Let me shamelessly introduce you to the following...
I'm participating in mYAMAdventure, an annual sponsorship/mentorship program organized by YAMA and partnering with several other companies: Gossamer Gear, Purple Rain Skirts, Bedrock Sandals, Vargo, Point6, Euroschirm and Harmony House. The sponsors provide us with some free or discounted gear, and YAMA has gathered mentors in the form of previous PCT thru-hikers to offer advice. My part of the program involves awareness for the above companies and fundraising for the Pacific Crest Trail Association. If you've already donated to my campaign- thank you!! If you're interested in supporting the mission of the PCTA, click here to make a donation.
In addition to the fundraising campaign for PCTA through mYAMAdventure, I have been selected to work directly with the association as part of their P3 program. In it's first year, myself and 9 others will be advocating best-care practices and encouraging hikers to preserve, protect, and promote a healthy trail experience for everyone. PCTA has generously partnered with Leki, Osprey, and Eagle Creek to provide P3 hikers with some additional gear.
An incredible outdoor outfitter in my hometown, owned by two of my classmates. RFO has been kind enough to provide me with discounted gear, and although I don't think they are expecting anything in return, I'd like to encourage everyone to check out their super-hip Fenton, MI store (and bring your dog!).
I was working for MRC in 2014 when I started to wander away from my conventional lifestyle to find new passions. Not only was it a fantastic place to work, but Kerrin and the board of directors were fully supportive of me moving on in search of my dreams. After reaching out with the A Little Green Hike project in mind, MRC has kindly agreed to sponsor the postage cost of my trail-traveling-trash-box.
ALL OF THIS BEING SAID, I hope it is clear how touched and grateful I am for the support of my sponsors, family, and friends. However, I have a reciprocal part to play, and it is a bit of a sacrifice. I am now committed to maintaining social media and blog posts during my hike, something I had not anticipated previously. As my NOBO counterparts are beginning their hikes and posting beautiful pictures daily, I find myself resisting the urge to pull away from the community. I need to maintain some of the mystery of the trail, both before and during my hike. Still, I'll do my best to keep regular and reasonable updates, which you can look for by following me on Instagram, Facebook, and here on my blog.
“It had nothing to do with gear or footwear or the backpacking fads or
philosophies of any particular era or even with getting from point A to
point B.
It had to do with how it felt to be in the wild. With what it was like to walk for miles with no reason other than to witness the accumulation of trees and meadows, mountains and deserts, streams and rocks, rivers and grasses, sunrises and sunsets."
It had to do with how it felt to be in the wild. With what it was like to walk for miles with no reason other than to witness the accumulation of trees and meadows, mountains and deserts, streams and rocks, rivers and grasses, sunrises and sunsets."
Cheryl Strayed, Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail
