I've left this blog dormant for so many months and I have so many things I'd like to write and publish here, eventually, but today I'm updating for a very specific and singular reason, and that is to talk about toxic masculinity in the long distance hiking community! When I got off the trail last … Continue reading I Stopped Hiking The Pacific Crest Trail Because of Toxic Masculinity and I Finally Wrote An Essay About It
Category: Pacific Crest Trail 2017
Spoiler alert: I am no longer on the PCT
The title of this post gives the subject matter away before I even begin. I suppose that's okay. Best to not bury the lede. Good morning, dear blog readers. I am no longer on the PCT. I left the trail on May 29. I'm glad I did, but it's also complicated. Sigh. I've been putting … Continue reading Spoiler alert: I am no longer on the PCT
Day Nineteen: Finally, Fuller Ridge
Mile 183.5 to mile 190.5 + Deer Springs Trail (3.5 miles) 10.5 miles Lynn, Cate, and Mike all get up and leave very early. I'm taking the shuttle with Caddy and Hobo from the inn where they're staying to the Deer Spring trailhead, and it only leaves at 8:30, so I've got time. It would be … Continue reading Day Nineteen: Finally, Fuller Ridge
Day Eighteen: Let It Snow (And Rain)
Zero in Idyllwild 0 miles A car alarm goes off at 9am and I wake up from a bizarre dream. My shoes didn't fit and I was trying to buy new ones but I was trapped in a bathroom at a fancy wedding and couldn't sneak out. I don't know. I really wanted my anxiety … Continue reading Day Eighteen: Let It Snow (And Rain)
Day Seventeen: Change of Plans
Zero in Idyllwild 0 miles I wake up early but spend a long time just lying in bed. What a luxury. I eventually wake up and walk to the coffee shop to get a soy chai latte. Another luxury! Then I head back to the Red Kettle to have brunch with Cate, Mike, Lynn, Raw … Continue reading Day Seventeen: Change of Plans
Day Sixteen: Mountains and Valleys
Zero in Idyllwild 0 miles It's weird to wake up in a house. My face is smushed into the white fluffy pillow and my body is covered in a white fluffy comforter. I'm clean. I'm also drooling, so at least some stuff is constant. I idle in "bed" for a while working on my blog. … Continue reading Day Sixteen: Mountains and Valleys
Day Fifteen: Burgers & AirBnB
Mile 140 to mile 151.8 + 1 (road walk to Paradise Valley Cafe) 12.8 miles Toby and I wake up at 4am, like we promised. We've got miles to make before it gets hot. The stars are still out and I am tired, but I'm also excited to hike with Toby again and very ready … Continue reading Day Fifteen: Burgers & AirBnB
Day Fourteen: Queers In The Wild
Mile 129 to mile 140 11 miles Lion Heart is already dressed when I open my eyes. It's still dark outside, an inky navy blue sky, and I spy a star or two lingering as the sun begins its slow rise. It's 5:08am. Everyone around me is bustling. I get ready as quickly as I … Continue reading Day Fourteen: Queers In The Wild
Day Thirteen: Cowboy Camping
Mile 114.5 to mile 129 14.5 miles It's so chilly when I wake up. I have a hard time coaxing myself out of my warm down quilt, but I try to reason with myself: soon it will be so hot and I'll be begging for a slight chill, so I may as well make the … Continue reading Day Thirteen: Cowboy Camping
Day Twelve: Nero and Night Hiking
Mile 109.5 to mile 114.5 5 miles Today is lazy on purpose. I'm taking a nero, which is like a zero but you hike a little bit - Nearly a Zero! I sleep in and don't plan to hike out until it's cooler, so I have until 4pm or 5pm. A bunch of other hikers … Continue reading Day Twelve: Nero and Night Hiking
Vanessa Friedman 