The effects were subtle, yet profound, following his encounter with the fabled waters of Little Crater Lake. This spring-fed pond, chilling even in summer at a mere 34 degrees, held a reputation for bestowing a unique kind of energy. And as he continued his southbound trek along the Pacific Crest Trail, that energy seemed to […]
Timberline Lodge, PCT, Oregon
At first, he suspected the other hiker of dropping acid while they lounged at Timberline Lodge. But as the hiker unfolded their experience of the trail, their eyes wide with an almost ethereal glow, it all began to make sense. Long stretches on the trail have a way of recalibrating your perception, merging your senses […]
Ramona Falls, PCT, Oregon
Two days and 40 miles into this seemingly endless uphill hike, and the absence of his trail-hardened legs weighed heavily on him. Three weeks of languor on the Oregon coast had left his muscles feeble, their resilience usurped by layers of fat now sizzling away with every upward stride. This new level of perspiration was […]
Eagle Creek Falls, Oregon
Writing in the third person allows me to step into the shoes of someone who’s lived what I’ve lived. That’s my method of decoding my feelings, a lifeline to prevent my existence from slipping away. Every dawn, I dedicate 20 minutes to drafting an intricately verbose social media post. It’s not just about deciphering my […]
PCT Trail Days 2023
Caught within the grip of the distant trail town, his plans of onward exploration found themselves thwarted. Among the throng of fellow hikers there was a shared sense of purpose, an unspoken camaraderie that painted them as kindred souls. But the echoes of a lifetime wrapped in solitude resonated deeply, transforming the act of forging […]
Heading to PCT Trail Days
Two buses, a train, a day-long voyage covering just 150 miles. All worth it, he thought to himself as he stepped into the heart of a trail town. Cascade Locks, Oregon. Well-worn backpacks leaned against the market’s rustic walls. Dirty, determined faces told stories of the wild. These were thru-hikers, part of the nobo bubble […]
Discovery Trail, Washington
It was time to begin retracing his steps southward. Each footfall carried an air of determination as he followed the Discovery Trail along the rugged coast. He trekked, a solitary figure tracing his destiny upon the sands, the ceaseless waves his only companion. His stride brought him to a point where further coastal advance was […]
Discovery Trail, Long Beach, WA
Banished to a summer purgatory, to get fat, lazy and tan. Amongst vacationing families and prosperous retirees, he found himself exiled, a recluse at the dune’s edge. Amidst the rhythmic surge of the surf’s white noise, he dozed, wondering how many tides he’d witnessed. How many sunsets. Lost in the embrace of timelessness that the […]
Long Beach Peninsula , Washington
He emerged from the dense thicket of trees, following the Discovery Trail north towards the expanse of Willapa Bay, a realm that dictated a quarter of the United States’ oyster yield. His journey was destined for the northern tip of the North Head Discovery Trail in Long Beach, Washington. There, a 20-foot-tall bronze statue stood, […]
Tramily, PNW
“Tramily,” a fusion of trail and family, isn’t a term that resonates with most folks. But in the untamed realm of long-distance hiking, it’s a melody of companionship that echoes with sincerity. In this community, one doesn’t select their fellow journeyers; instead, a tramily emerges organically as the trail winds on, interweaving bonds destined to […]