On the PCT, there is a saying: “HYOH,” which stands for, “Hike Your Own Hike.” It runs through my head constantly, even in every day life.
It applies to everything.
I keep it in mind when I read others’ blogs as well, which has been a recent obsession. Last years trials and tribulations, victories and trail magic are all lined up all over the internet. My favorite so far has been this one: Carrot Quinn It’s by a gal named Carrot (who is also from Portland) who is turning her blog into a book, and it’s going to be really, really good! She’s an excellent writer, and her book is going to be better than “Wild.” Really.
Also, she’s hiking again this year, only a couple of days ahead of me. I hope so much that I get to meet her and hike with her a little or a lot.
After finishing her trail story, I’m more motivated than ever to get out there and hike my hike. I leave in 33 days! 33 DAYS!! I am so freaking thrilled, terrified and READY. I’m so, so ready!
Today, I am shoving things I don’t need into boxes so that my friends can come over on Saturday and take away little pieces of my life. I’m keeping so little in storage, so that when I come back, I don’t have to feel all the weight of possessions. I’m absolving myself of attachment, and it feels wonderful. I recommend it, even if you aren’t going on a big trip.
Out with the old, in with the big breath of life that inevitably follows.
Tomorrow, I buy the last of the gear that I need. I’ll put it all in the backpack that will house it for the next half a year, and that will be my most valuable attachment for a long while.
How light it must feel to carry everything you own with you all of the time.
How heavy it will seem after a few short miles in the desert.
How free I will be, with nothing to do but walk. I can’t wait so bad it feels like an entirely different lifetime away. Not the mere 33 days that will surely fly by like a swift wind. It feels so so far away, so out of reach, yet all I do is plan for it, think about it, and read blog after blog after blog after blog…
And here is mine, itching to get started. Feet ready to go. Mind already there.
April 28th can’t come fast enough.
“Waiting is the hardest part.” -Tom Petty
(I’ve fixed the error that made it so you couldn’t comment on my blog. Feel free to say encouraging things and stuff. XOXO)
willhikeforcheeseburgers 
March 27, 2014 at 2:51 am
Wow. This sounds exciting. I've gotten as far as going to the library and checking out a 3 1/2 hour documentary that some weird dude made on hiking the trail. Oh and i've hiked bits of it in WA.
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March 27, 2014 at 2:52 am
This is Adam by the way. I do not have a Google account. But my wifey does yayyyyy.
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March 27, 2014 at 5:24 am
Jess, I wish you nothing but the best of luck. I hope that you receive everything out of it that you expect, and more, as I'm sure mother nature will ensure. You are strong, and you will conquer this. I'm excited to see how. I hope you know that you are a strong role model in my life, (I'm sure you have effected others in the same way) and I'm super jealous that you're doing something that is similar to the Appalachian, yet unique in it's own rite. I hope that I can live up to our relation as family some day, but as of now, you are queen. Queen of the mountain ranges and hiking places. You owe it to yourself, and the world, to have the time of your life out there, and I believe I speak for the rest of your blood relatives (and otherwise) that we're counting on you to do so as well. =] I'm a proud little brother speaking in admiration of his big sister. Go with my blessing. And most of all, I love you!
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April 15, 2014 at 10:39 pm
Truckee, CA is rooting you on! See you when you get here!
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April 16, 2014 at 7:07 pm
Thanks Adam! I'm stoked to have you (and your wifey) reading along! Maybe I'll see you when I hit WA 🙂
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April 16, 2014 at 7:09 pm
Ben! I love you so much! Thank you for your very sweet words! I love to inspire, and hope that you too will find what you're passionate about! Keep in touch about your travels, kid – love you to the moon and back!
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April 16, 2014 at 7:09 pm
Thank you! Looking forward to all of it! 🙂
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May 27, 2014 at 11:16 pm
I'm also from Portland. I started buying gear for next years NOBO hike and am excited for the preparation over the next 10-11 months. Have fun out there!
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June 1, 2014 at 4:16 am
There are a lot of us on trail from PDX…a city of escapists! Planning is one of the best parts…but it gets you antsy! There is nothing like living it, but it goes by fast. Don't plan too much, you will want to go with the flow as much as possible! Feel free to ask questions if you need any advice.
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