And on September 21st...

Sunday, October 7th, 4:06pm. I don't think of my self as a nosy person, but today I cannot help but notice our friendly neighbor who is vacuuming the fake turf grass that seems to slowly be taking over this yard. As I listen to the hum of the vacuum I am reminded that I am transiting to a new phase of learning and living in a city and that a very important chapter in my life has come to a close. On September 21st Oasis, Spud, Cookie (another hiker who joined us for the last few days) and I reached the northern terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail completing 2,663 miles and our first major thru-hike.
Yesterday evening Oasis called me. It was the first time we had connected since finishing our hike. We split our conversation between catching up on our new life endeavors and reminiscing about the trail. At one point in our conversation Oasis said "It kind of feels like it didn't happen". I agreed. Or perhaps I believed that it had happened but had failed to recognize the enormity of the feat we just accomplished.
Nevertheless, I did document the experience with my Small. Pink. Camera.

Here we are, Oasis and I at the Southern terminus of the PCT near Campo, CA. Behind the monument one can see a metal fence that marks the United States-Mexico border, April 25th, 2012 (mile 0)!

The beauty of the desert surprised me in many ways. Here is a picture of prickly pear cactus in bloom. The leaves felt like tissue paper (mile 56).

While taking a midday break to beat the heat, Oasis found this horny toad in the bushes (mile 145).

One thing I will not miss from the trail is my blistered swollen feet. We were lucky enough to be helped out by trail angel "Dr. Sole". He cut all that bad dead skin away and patched me up (mile 245)!!

Blooming Yucca plants covered the desert. I caught this one just before sunset (mile 450).

Oasis and I with trail angel Donna Saufler. Thank-you Donna! (mile 475).

Spud, Oasis and I on the summit of Mt. Whitney, June 13th (mile 760).

Spud and I took a day off in Crabtree Meadow. We went fishing and cooked a fabulous fish-fry (mile 760)!

Oasis crosses a creek just after Muir Pass. We were running low on food and ended up eating marshmallows and cough drops as our primary food sources (mile 850).

Spud and fellow hiker Histo posing in dresses at a geyser in Mt. Lassen National Park (mile 1,300).

New shoes! I put one new shoe on next to another shoe that I had worn for over 700 miles. Can you tell the difference? (mile 1675).

We made it to Oregon! (Mile 1,700)

We were lucky enough to be able to sleep on the rim of Crater Lake during the Perseid meteor shower. It was fantastic (1830).

Hailstones I found during a storm! Just about killed me (mile 1950).

Handstands in the Three Sister's Wilderness (mile 2,000).

Walking under Tunnel Falls in the Columbia Gorge (mile 2130).

Sulfer-shelf mushroom whose other name is "Chicken of the Woods". Although a bit spongy, its edible and pretty tasty (mile 2,300).

One of the last photos taken with my camera before it stopped functioning (and our eyes are closed). We are at Goat Rocks Wilderness with a view of Rainier behind us (mile 2300).

Unfortunately my camera stopped working about midway through Washington. But perhaps, with these few photos, you might be able to envision Oasis, Spud, Cookie and I arriving at the US-Canada border. It was an unusually warm day for the end of September and the deciduous trees were turning a beautiful deep red and the huckleberry bushes a deep magenta. We took pictures, we hugged and kissed and danced and celebrated this accomplishment.
This hike has affected me in a way I still don't fully understand, but I feel that it has made me a better person. I am glad to have shared this experience with so many amazing hikers and with you, the readers of my blog! Thank-you for following me along during this incredible journey and for all the encouragement and support along the way. If you are interested, a good friend Sue Parish wrote an article in the Columbian about my experience. You can read the article by clicking here.
Much love,
Honeybear
 

Lists

Right now I am sitting. It is one of those rare mornings where us hikers find ourselves in town to catch up on those "other life"chores. Last night, Oasis and I indulged in a "big girl" bottle of wine, the effects of which I am definitely feeling this morning and that are only being exacerbated by this obnoxiously shaky computer screen.
My hiking partner Spud has picked up a new hobby: making lists of things. Some examples include...lists of reasons I can't complain (being a white male, etc), lists of favorite words and foods, lists of friends, hobbies and job possibilities. Yes, I have spent more time than I would like to admit, craning my neck over Spuds shoulder, enviously wishing that I had thought of the list idea first.
Anyway, today due to the fact that we have come over 2100 miles and that my hangover only allows my brain to reach a certain threshold of intellectualism (is that even a word??), I am dedicating this entry to Spud by making my own list of the PCT.
 So here goes.

Honeybear's PCT 2012 List (created August 29th 2012 in Cascade Locks,OR)

1.) Start date: April 25th
2.) End date: September 21st (hopefully)
3.) Hiking partners: Mostly Oasis and Spud
4.) Average mileage per day including zero days: 18
5.) Mileage per day without zeros: 24
6.) Most beautiful view thus far (in my opinion): Seldon Pass (mile 900) in the High Sierras
7.) Other beautiful views: Crater Lake (mile 1834), Three Finger Jack (mile 1970?), Mount Hood (mile 2107)
8.) Craziest weather on the trail: Hailstorm with cherry tomato sized hail around mile 1931 in Oregon.
9.)most miles hiked in one day: 35 miles (from Sky Lake Wilderness to Crater Lake National Park)
10.) Most interesting food combination consumed on trail: Tortilla, peanut butter, mustard, summer sausage and granola combination
11.) Things I love most about the trail: meeting wonderful people, being inspired by nature and sleeping outside.
12.) Things I am TOTALLY excited about after the trail: being domestic (cooking, cleaning, shopping, sewing, working), taking a shower on a regular basis (more than once every ten days), being enrolled at Portland State University as a graduate student in Public Health, living with the one and only Sophie Sessions (my sister for those of you who don't know me personally)
13.) Most interesting day: July 14th; a day where we hiked in complete silence.
14.) Hardest day physically: Around mile 1000 after Tuolumne meadows. We seriously climbed straight up and then down the ENTIRE DAY and due to the rediculous concentration of mosquitoes, did not really take any significant breaks.
15.) Fun people I have met on the trail: Spud, Cookie, Zen and Wampuscat, Doc and Bluejay, Scarecaw, Preacher, Virgo, Snausage, Nips and Wildflower, Halmark and Yankieson and many many more :)
16.) Favorite piece of gear: NeoAir Thermarest sleeping pad (it seriously feels like an air mattress)
17.) Least favorite piece of gear: My sleeping bag (looks as pathetic as it feels).
18.) Number of days hiked on the trail: 128.
19.) Number of days left to hike on the trail: 23

We are almost there!! Thank-you to all of you who sent packages to Cascade Locks. Anne, thank-you for the mango, chocolate and gummies. Kristina, your care package made our day. I am so excited for a new pair of socks (my old sleep socks have holes). Dad and Chris, we REALLY hope you enjoyed our company and much as we enjoyed yours. Sue, thank-you for driving all the way out highway 26 to interview us and thanks for the rasberries and candy! Much appreciated.
Finally thank-you Claire from SheJumps for sending us your awesome hats. We will be wearing them from here on out to the end of our hike. On that note, Oasis and I have helped raise over 400 dollars to benefit SheJumps. A sincere thank-you to everyone who has donated. We are making a difference. And to everyone who has been hoping to donate. Our hike is almost over, so now is the time! You can easily make a small contribution by clicking on the "Donate to SheJumps" tab on my blog and hitting the "Donate to SheJumps" writing on that page. Your contributions are much appreciated.

Well, I guess we have got another state to hike through, so I have got to go. But, I'll leave you with this poem by By Stanley Kunitz. Cheers.

End of Summer

An agitation of the air,

A perturbation of the light

Admonished me the unloved year

Would turn on its hinge that night.

I stood in the disenchanted field

Amid the stubble and the stones,

Amazed, while a small worm lisped to me

The song of my marrow-bones.

Blue poured into summer blue,

A hawk broke from his cloudless tower,

The roof of the silo blazed, and I knew

That part of my life was over.

Already the iron door of the north

Clangs open: birds, leaves, snows

Order their populations forth,

And a cruel wind blows.

Ramblings about Crater Lake

Greetings from Eugene, OR. Below is a blog post I wrote while sitting on the rim of Crater Lake.

Mile 1834
Life. Isn't. Perfect. Sometimes  it seems as if a smoky haze like that from a forest fire has settled in your brain and makes life seem a bit distorted. Occasionally I will reflect on my life and think to myself, what is this? Perhaps I could describe it as the deepest, most beautiful lake. Crater Lake: so many imperfections surrounded by mystery.  Sometimes my thoughts are as clear as the opalesque water. I know what I want and where I am going. I am calm and radiate beauty. Then, I'll look around to see naked basalt and cliffs still recovering from a volcanic eruption that happened even before the cedar tree took its name. Its overwhelming and chaotic and disorienting. I don't understand it; why this lake and my life seem to be so similar. Crystalline water is resplendent, its beauty only enhanced by the raw earth that surrounds it, defines it, makes it interesting. I guess this is where I see the overlap between my life and Crater Lake. It isn't  perfect; only the perfect combination of imperfections.

I am so happy that I was able to run into people in Eugene. Rebecca, thank-you for picking us up at Shelter Cover and the wonderful dinner. Dan, thanks for the nectarines, cheese and beer. Cin, thank-you for the ride back to the trail.

We will be passing through Cascade Locks on the 28th of September. If you feel inspired to send something in my direction, my address there is written below.
Much love,
Honeybear


Lena Sessions
c/o Port Marine RV Park
PO Box 307
Cascade Locks, OR 97014

It rained in Oregon

I always knew I loved my home state. However, it was not until I stepped over the imaginary line that separates California from Oregon that I understood just how wonderful it feels to be back.

Yesterday, Spud, my friend and hiking partner asked me "So...Honeybear, has it hit you yet, I mean, that we have made it to Oregon?". My answer was a resounding "YES, YES, YES". Let me explain. 

Aside from the daily physical activity of hiking, I consider this experience to be a test of my mental endurance. Thus, in order not to be totally overwhelmed by the prospect of hiking almost 2,700 miles, I usually avoid focusing on the end goal and instead I like to think about each day as a worthy part of the experience. I had never really considered how I would feel upon entering my home state. Tired? Happy? Angry? Defeated? Proud? Confident? Overwhelmed? Well, as it turns out I think I experienced them all and expressed this smorgasbord of feelings via a small emotional breakdown. Due to some distractions along the trail, I found myself a few minutes behind the crew I had been hiking with earlier in the morning and thus, heard their elated shouts as they celebrated the incredible achievement of reaching Oregon. As I came up the last switchback in California and saw the "Welcome to Oregon" sign I felt so relieved to be home that I burst into tears. First came the tears of joy. Joyful to be home. Then came those sad tears. Tears that were the last to touch what was left of the soft California ground. Then the tears of anger. Tears about many important and many more unimportant things. Then the tears of celebration. Celebrating 1,700 miles of hiking.  Then, after I thought I had calmed down I suddenly became overwhelmed by tears of gratitude. It was with these tears that I crossed the border between California and Oregon, and was greeted by hugs from Oasis and Spud and a slew of treats from other hikers who had also been waiting for this moment. As the curls of celebratory tobacco and marijuana smoke cleared, our large group that we sometimes refer to as the love train gathered near the sign for a group photo. Although we were dirty, sitting all bunched up in a big group reminded me of taking a class picture in elementary school. There we were, all 19 of us, so proud to have completed over 1,700 miles of trail. What an incredible feeling.
Less than a miles after we crossed the Oregon border, we were greeted two legendary hikers-a father daughter duo named Balls and Sunshine who had set up a party complete with birthday hats and blankets along a remote Forest Service road. What a spectacular welcome to the home state.
The trail magic has continued with a surprise visit from Ryan Hasty, the manfriend of Oasis who offered to take our packs for the day while we hiked carrying only water and maps. Later, we met up with my friend Spud's parents whose generosity, kindness and passion for gardening and many other things I can only hope to live up to some day. Thank-you Renee and Don treating us like royalty here in Ashland.
It feels good to be home and as we make our way north, we will also be making our way towards Eugene, where my good friend Rebecca will be meeting us at Shelter Cove! Furthermore, I am also very excited for a visit from my dad and younger brother as they join us for three days of hiking.
The evening that we arrived in Oregon it rained. Although the precipitation only lasted two minutes, it reminded me of how much I love Oregon. I leave you with a question that I have been thinking about quite a bit as I hike. What do you love about your home? What makes it special?

On Being Mute

Greetings from Quincy, CA (mile 1289).
In the next few days, Oasis and I will reach the half-way point on the trail between Mexico and Canada which is about 1332 miles. We plan to treat ourselves to a beer at the Drakesbad ranch to celebrate this achievement.
We are currently staying with Spud's (another hiker and friend) relatives in Quincy, CA. Beginning with some wonderful trail magic from Steve in South Lake Tahoe, my mother's visit to Truckee, CA as well as a somewhat unexpected visit from a good friend from college and now a wonderful stay in Quincy (not to mention a visit from Spud's parents in Ashland), Oasis and I feel so lucky and well taken care of along the trail. Our group has now expanded to include Spud and Histogram. Spud, also known as Evan, I actually wrote about in my blog (Certified Geardo). I will admit that Spud was NOT impressed my portrayal of him. Nevertheless, after a mildly awkward encounter where I apologized for comparing him to a character in the Portlandia TV series, we decided that since we both like crosswords, cribbage and food, that perhaps we might make a solid hiking trio. We now consider Spud an integral part of our group. Histogram, who is from the Bay area has also joined us for the time-being and we are enjoying his company.
In my eyes, we've reached a point on the trail where putting one step in front of the other has become such a routine that at times minutes walking seems like hours and an hour can feel, well, alot longer than an hour. As a way to combat this time warp, we have began playing word games on the trail: telling complicated-multipart stories that rhyme, playing contact and imagining certain futuristic world problems and solutions.
A few days ago, I remembered an encounter we had with a hiker who chose to spend the day in silence . His reflections of the experience made me curious, and so, on July 14th (my sister's 22nd birthday), the four of us chose to spend one full 24 hour period in silence. The experience gave me time to reflect and relieve some of the pressure that comes with trying to engage your hiking partners in conversation. Although I had no problem interacting with Spud and Oasis without actually speaking, we did encounter a few day-hikers who seemed quite distraught by our refusal to respond to any questions about the trail. I had made a sign that explained what I was doing but since it was buried in my pocket by the time I had found it, most people had given up on me and hurried angrily hurried away from me, (the pretentious thru-hiker). Furthermore, we also ran into trail magic that day. Some burners (people who attend Burningman) parked their RV by a road and gave us food.
This blog must be cut short...but until I post again in Ashland, Oregon, I leave you with poem by Mary Oliver.

The Summer Day 

Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean-
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down-
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

Passing through the Sierras

Hello Friends, Family and Readers. I apologize for not updating you sooner on the past few weeks of hiking. Between purchasing food and sending resupply boxes, Oasis and I found it challenging to fit in time to update.
Nevertheless, we are still out on the trail and still enjoying our experience! Currently we are spending some time with my mom in Truckee California. Last night we made a giant meal that consisted of primarily vegetables and red meat, both food items missing from our trail diet. It felt so splendid to fall asleep with a stomach full of healthy wholesome food.
The last few hundred miles we have made our way through the High Sierras, passing through what many consider to be the most spectacular section of the PCT and definitely the most physically challenging. What sets the Sierras apart from the rest of the trail are the significant changes in elevation. The 230 miles stretching between Kennedy Meadows in the South and Tuolumne Meadows in the North range from 7,500 ft above sea level to over 13,000 ft at Forester Pass.
During the 2.5 weeks in the Sierras, Oasis and I hiked over more than ten mountain passes. According to the Princeton dictionary a mountain pass is defined as "the location in a range of mountains of a geological formation that is lower than the surrounding peaks".
Our first major pass, Forester Pass, also happens to be the highest point on the PCT. Due to some ominous clouds, Oasis and I decided to cross the pass well before lunch to avoid running into lousy weather on such an exposed section of trail. Fortunately the purple clouds only created a more interesting sky-scape and never turned to a thunder-storm. After cresting the pass (and taking many pictures), we ate lunch at a small and ridiculously clear alpine lake. The surrounding mountains reflected in the lake and the views were spectacular.
Other passes also offered similar moments of inspiration. Oasis and I agreed that Muir Pass was one of our favorites. Although the approach seemed a bit tedious, we were pleasantly surprised by a large, stone hut at the top that seemed appear out of nowhere. As it turns out, the hut was erected in the 1930s in memory of the late naturalist and environmental advocate John Muir. Oasis and I both scrambled up jagged stones for a picture on top. I chose the "Superman" pose (arms and legs stretched out). Coming down from the pass, we encountered a series of alpine. We fell in love with Lake Wanda (apparently named after one of Muir's illegitimate children). We went swimming in Wanda, which was more like a jump in the freezing water followed by desperate attempts to get the heck out because it was so darn frigid.
Each day in the Sierras offered moments if not hours of reflection of inspiration. I was inspired one particular day when Oasis and her friend Zack took me on my first multipitch climb in Yosemite Valley. Over the course of seven or eight hours we climbed Tenaya Peak in Tuolumne Meadows. It was an inspiring climb that left me exhausted yet completely in awe. I hope to continue climbing after the trail.
For those of you who sent me letters in Tuolumne Meadows, I really appreciated it! Emilie, thank-you so much for the Honeybear and mom, thank-you for the wonderful treats and snacks. If you want to send us something we will be in Ashland at the end of July. Please send anything to the following address. If you decide to send something to this address, please let me know (you can send me an email lena.sessions@gmail.com)  so we make sure that we pick it up.

Lena Sessions
General Delivery 
 Ashland, OR 97520

Sending all my love from Truckee, CA. 
Lena 

Names on the Trail

Greetings from Kennedy Meadows! We have made it 702 miles and are leaving tomorrow for the High Sierras. Many people consider the next 250 miles of the trail to be the most spectacular section of the entire PCT. In just a few short days, Oasis and I will be celebrating her birthday. I hope to incorporate some German games into the day's festivities and have bought a giant muffin that I will coat in Nutella that should work as a great birthday cake replacement. I am still hunting for some birthday candles, but I have a feeling that the trail will provide.
I thought I would devote this blog to the topic of trail names.
Yesterday evening I attended a brief and totally informal naming ceremony. On the Pacific Crest Trail you identify more with your trail name than the name given to you at birth. Many people have interesting stories about how they received their "Trail Names". A very quiet woman from England received her trail name "Destroyer" when her husband found her inside their tent raging an epic battle against a slew of ants. My friend Spud, thinks fondly of potatoes and received his name after devoting many hours of thought and discussion to potatoes. I gave Oasis her trail name due to her tendencies to carry ridiculous amounts of water. For example, if Oasis decides she will need six liters of water on the trail, I'll cut that in  half and bring three. My own trail name, I received after more than one person noticed by appreciation/obsession with Honey. I will admit that I have been caught more than once spooning honey into my mouth, or just squeezing it right out of the bottle onto my tongue. I put honey on everything and in everything. For example, I see no problem putting a healthy serving of honey on a cheese and salami sandwich! Yumm....
Normally, one never chooses a name for themselves. A name must be given to you. While you are able to reject a name that someone tries to give you, its a good idea to accept a name before you end up being stuck with something like "Sex Panther" (yes, there is someone on the trail that unfortunately could not escape this fate). There are so many people with so many different names. There is U-Haul, Wampus Cat and Zen...Quest, Fallrisk and The Darkness...Cookie, Weebee, Just Retired, Just Joe, Scarecrow, Preacher, Sunset and Sunrise, Mr. Wizard, Peanut, Scrambled Legs, Wasabi, Ohenro, Reverend Beaver, Birthday Girl, Wooly, Nips, Heels, Wildflower, Dropzone, Busted Magic, Not a Chance, The Croation Sensation, Not-so-bad, Doc, Sam Wise, and so many more!
What I am learning is that the Pacific Crest Trail is more than just a long hike. I like to consider it a mass migration of similar minded people who enjoy being outside, but also love connecting with each-other in town. The trail name is a way to alter your identity for a few months and to distinguish a thru-hiker from a non-thru hiker. If someone introduces themselves as "Bob"...I would definitely assume that they are not hiking from Mexico to Canada. But, if someone told me their name was "Yardsale", I would probably assume they were hiking all the way.
While I do love my real name, I find it refreshing and exciting that most people out here think of me only as Honeybear....loving honey and doing good for others. The trail is a community and I do believe that trail names have a way of bringing people together. I leave you with a question...What name do you think you might be given on such an endeavor? Would you be given a name based on something you do, or something you are?
I enjoy reading your comments. I will try to post again in about 2.5 weeks when we make it to Tuolumne Meadows.
Much love (and honey),
The Honeybear

The Angels

Oasis and I have made it 558 to Tehachapi, California. I have been meaning to write another post for a while, but have either been too distracted in town by a hungry stomach, or, have not had access to a computer.
This first leg of our journey has been incredible. Highlights include seeing four rattlesnakes (we kept a safe distance), soaking our tired legs in deep creek hotsprings, located at mile 306, spending a day at the Saufley's and another unforgettable eveing at the Andersons, as well as hiking along the California Aquaduct at night with glow sticks.
This morning Adrianna (now known on the trail as Oasis) and I arrived in Tehachapi, California. With our minds set on a good meal, we managed to find an awesome diner that served us monster-sized omletes and a serving of homefries that might have given me a heart attack in another life.
Anyway, as we sat and scarfed down our breakfasts, I noticed an elderly woman looking at our soiled clothes and dirty faces. As I got up to use the restroom, she quickly handed me a 20 dollar bill and said "Please, please use this". I didn't accept her offer but explained to her that we were just fine...just a bit dirty from hiking. It was then that I was reminded of two things. What I realized first was just how dirty we both looked and how it might give people the impression that we have nothing. What I also realized, however, is just how generous and kind people have been on the trail as we have hiked.
Hikers like to call acts of kindness on the trail "trail magic" and the people who deliver these services "trail angels". I will give you a few examples of wonderful individuals who have supported us in this indeavor. Take, for example, Push and Unload, two individuals who parked by the trail to deliver hikers extra cliff bars, sanwiches, soda, cookies and a cold beer. Both Push and Unload had hiked the trail last year and been pleasantly surprised by the trail magic and thought they would return the favor. We then have Dr. Sole, a retired truck driver who set up a large tent along Highway 74, who after his son hiked the trail and complained of blisters, decided he would take it upon himself to learn everything he could about "hiker feet" so he could treat people's aches and pains along the trail. Dr.Sole spent more than 1/2 hour cleaning and treating my pathetically swollen and blistered feet. We then have Ziggy and The Bear, a couple who hosts through hikers in their backyard. There we were served hotdogs and salad and the largest bowl of icecream I have ever eaten in my life. Random people have offered us rides to and from the trail, have hosted us in their homes and have left ice-cold soda and beer in coolers along the trail.
Hiking provides much time for reflection. Walking over 558 miles and being blessed with such wonderful acts of kindness along has a way of restoring one's faith in humanity. It's amazing how just an ice-cold soda or a ride to a trail-head remind one that random acts of kindness happen all the time and make an incredible difference. So I want to conclude by saying thank-you to all the trail angels, and my incredible network of family and friends for all your support in helping us achieve this goal and enjoy this journey.
Best, Honeybear
If you want to send us something (a letter telling us how you are doing, peanut m n ms, candy, chocolate, tea) Our next reliable re-supply point will be in Tuolumne Meadows.
The address is:

Hold of PCT Hikers Lena Sessions
c/o General Delivery

Tuolumne Meadows
Yosemite NP, CA 95389

Noah's Flood

Location: 8 miles from the Southern terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail
Time: April 26th, 12am-8am
Many hikers have expressed to me the importance of putting aside expectations for this journey. On the first night of our hike, as a raging rain and wind storm blew through the mountains of Southern California I realized it is not realistic for me to expect anything from this hike. Here is a short journal entry I wrote the night after Noah's flood.

In only one day of hiking, one thing I have learned is that expectations are worthless when it comes to hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. Adriana and I arrived at the southern terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail excited to see and hike in flat desert. In all honesty, seeing streams, wildflowers and deep green meadows had definitely not crossed ours minds. Nor did we predict that on our first night of camping we would endure what I have titled "Noah's Flood PCT edition".  Although the forecast predicted rain, I scoffed at the notification and laughed at the mere thought that someone would forecast rain in Southern California. Nevertheless, after bragging to Adriana about my awesome new "waterproof" tent, I felt the desire to set it up in wait for this storm that I thought would never come to pass.  I fell asleep around 10pm thinking about sunshine.
Approximately 2 hours later I awoke to find that due to water buildup on the roof my "awesome" tent had collapsed and was smashed against my face and sleeping bag. The rain continued to pelt down on my dilapidated tent and I knew that I only had one choice; to go outside in that downpour and fix the problem. I went outside to find that over a gallon of water had collected on the area of roof covering my feet. After dealing with this first issue, I then found that upon re-entering my tent that another 2 liters of the same liquid had gathered underneath my sleeping bag and had soaked through my only hiking outfit. Wonderful. I spent the rest of the night awake, laying in a cold shallow pool of water. By 6 am I was done. Done being wet and cold and done thinking that the desert in Southern California was a dry, flat expanse of sand where it never rained. Laying there in my sleeping bag full of water I realized that this trail is here for us to expect anything. Dropping all expectations for this trail has made me realize that the PCT isn't here to remind us of all that we know, but to reveal how much we still have to learn.
p.s. Later the next day, the sun came out and I was able to dry my clothes and sleeping bag! We are still hiking and still loving everyday. More trail tales to come....

Adri and Me at the Fence!

Today is the day! Adriana Boylan and I are headed down to the border to El Campo, CA to the southern terminus of the PCT. Adriana thoughtfully described today like Christmas.
We spent all yesterday completing errands like  grabbing that last chunk of extra sharp cheddar cheese at Trader Joe's, purchasing a small backpack sized ukulele, stealing plastic utensils from the McDonald's in Mentone, CA, and raiding REI to find items like a watch and a silly sunhat with a fantastic flap in the back for sun protection despite the weather forecast predicting rain and thunder showers!!
Since I am up at High Trails (the outdoor school where I worked last year), where we show our appreciation for people by giving them "kudos", I thought I would mention a few people who have helped me out. Kudos Caroline and the Square House for hosting me! It has been so nice to see everyone again! Thank-you to Emilie, Callie and Anna for a wonderful reunion in Colorado and thanks to Ryan for taking his free time to drive us ladies to the start of the PCT. Finally, I just want to mention how fantastic it is to be planning this trip with another individual. As many of you know, Adriana is such a wonderfully positive and caring individual and I am so excited to start this adventure together. Adriana is also keeping an awesome blog about her experience www.whileshemoves.blogspot.com.
Finally, thank-you to people like Henry, Kristina, Evan, and Chris who are supporting our efforts to raise money for SheJumps.
I sign off for now and leave you with a poem by Robert Frost.

Desert Places by Robert Frost

Snow falling and night falling fast, oh, fast
In a field I looked into going past,
And the ground almost covered smooth in snow,
But a few weeds and stubble showing last.

The woods around it have it—it is theirs.
All animals are smothered in their lairs.
I am too absent-spirited to count;
The loneliness includes me unawares.

And lonely as it is, that loneliness
Will be more lonely ere it will be less—
A blanker whiteness of benighted snow
With no expression, nothing to express.

They cannot scare me with their empty spaces
Between stars—on stars where no human race is.
I have it in me so much nearer home
To scare myself with my own desert places.

Dresses to Dust

Last night I thought about dust. Considering the first 500 miles of the PCT skirts the deserts of Southern California, it is a fitting visual. On the 26^th of April, Adriana (my hiking partner and inspiring educator and climber) and I will be starting our hike! (Image of the beginning of the trail below).

 For months I have slept with my window open and made an effort to spend as much time outside as possible. Now, with the trail only a few days away, I am experiencing a sudden drive to stay indoors and as clean as possible. Additionally, my ability to vegetate on whatever sofa is available to me has dramatically increased. This has given me ample opportunity to catch up on movies that I apparently missed out on as a child. The cheer-leading saga “Bring It On” is just one example. While movies like these can stimulate certain areas of the brain, for me, the outdoors seems to offer something more.

As a friend stated “Backpacking can be empowering because there is simplicity in this sport that does not exist elsewhere. I find it important to remind people that despite it [backpacking] seeming like a huge feat, it is actually quite simple. It helps me to reflect on how insignificant material possessions can be”.

Aside from the somewhat complicated logistics of planning a backpacking trip, once on the trail it suddenly becomes so simple. Sleep. Hike. Eat. Hike. Let’s hope that my experience this time around offers a similar simplicity.

I am currently in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, spending a few days my dear friends from Macalester College. On Monday, I’ll head to Southern California where Adri will pick me up and we’ll spend two days visiting with friends from my past job at High Trails Outdoor Science School, sorting gear and purchasing a few other last minute items like fuel for cooking and a wide brimmed hat for sun protection.

I hope to send a short update before I head out on the trail! Until then, I’ll leave you with a fitting quote I included in a recent email by John Muir as well as a quote offered by blog follower Abby! Cheers, The Honey Bear

“I only went out for a walk, and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.”  John Muir (1838 - 1914)

"I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move." ~Robert Louis Stevenson

Six days ‘til trail time!

I'll take it.

Today I spent an ungodly amount of time, arranging the gear I am bringing and I am excited to show you what items are lucky enough to be joining for me for 2663 miles.
First, however, if you are planning on following my journey, I would encourage you to subscribe to my blog!! This is easy. Simply enter your email in the slot that indicates "Follow by email" located directly below the information about me on the right-hand side of my blog.  Also, as I have mentioned before, I am hoping to raise funds for SheJumps, a non-profit that provides women with community and support to spend time in the outdoors! Make a donation now by clicking here!
For those of you who have decided to donate! I am so grateful. Your efforts are encouraging other women (like me) to experience the outdoors.

I have divided my gear into three photos. The first image is the gear that I plan to carry on my body (outside my pack). The second image are additional clothes and my sleeping bag, and are all the other important (and totally unnecessary items I will bring with me). Despite taking an embarrassing amount of time to figure put these packing tables and images together, I had fun doing it and am excited to show you.
Best,
The Honey Bear

Items worn on Body (See Image 1)	Weight (grams)	Specifics
Bra	92	NikeFit Dry (Size 4-6)
Socks	27	Smartwool HP Cycling Ankle Sock
Skirt	128	Patagonia Lithia Skirt
Shirt	87	Li-Ning Drifit
Gaters	27	Dirty girl gaters: shagadellic blue
Shoes	480	New Balance Running 490GB1
Underwear	26	Patagonia Bearly Hispter
Sunhat	83	Sports Authority Blue with Tree Design
Trekking Poles	439	REI Titanal LightWeight Aluminum
Total Weight	1389	Weight in Pounds 3.061 lbs.

Packable Items (Image 2)	Weight (grams)	Specifics
Sleeping bag	880	REI W’s Subkilo 750 Fill Down
Rain jacket	107	Homemade Tyvek Jacket
Warm Jacket	360	Montbell W’s Alpine Light 800 Fill Down
Pants	102	Cheap fleece pants purchased in Chile
Baselayer	118	Smartwool Microlight Long Sleeve Crewtop
Extra Hiking Socks	27	Smartwool HP Cycling Ankle Sock
Hat	29	Craft %100 Polyester
Warm Socks	41	Smartwool Jovian Striped Socks

Packable Items Continued (Image 3)	Weight (grams	Specifics
Backpack	1237	The Northface Terra 40
Tent	763	Henry Shires Contrail Tarptent
Sleeping Pad	263	Thermarest Z-Rest
Water Filtration System	176	Steripen
Cooking Pot	99	Evernew Titanium .9L
GPS System	117	SPOT
Cell Phone and Charger	194	Sprint LG Smartphone
iPod	21	Apple iPod Nano Graphite 8G
Stove	86	MSR Pocket Rocket
Utensil	9	Guyot designs spork
Journal, Map, Pens	180	Data book, Decomposition Book, mechanical lead pencil and black pen
Holding containers	23	Sea to Summit Ultralight Mesh bags x 2 (Size XS, L)

This list still needs some revising. If you feel moved to provide some idea for how I could improve this list, I am always open to suggestions!
In Eugene it is Spring. So today I leave you with one of two poems titled Spring written by Mary Oliver. Thank-you Callie Thuma for sending this in my direction. Blessings.

Spring

By Mary Oliver

Faith 

is the instructor.

We need no other.

Guess what I am, 

he says in his 

incomparably lovely

young-man voice.

Because I love the world

I think of grass,

I think of leaves 

and the bold sun

I think of the rushes

in the black marshes

just coming back

from under the pure white

and now finally melting

stubs of snow.

Whatever we know or don't know

leads us to say:

Teacher, what do you mean?

But faith is still there, and silent.

Then he who owns

the incomparable voice

suddenly flows upward

and out of the room

and I follow,

obedient and happy.

Of course I am thinking

the Lord was once young

and will never in fact be old.

And who else could this be, who goes off

down the green path, 

carrying his sandals, and singing?

Certified "Geardo"

Today I met Evan. Evan has circular glasses, volunteers at the local raptor center and loves all things Iceland. If Evan told me he had been a guest on the “Portlandia” TV series, I would definitely believe him. Like me, Evan plans on thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail; beginning at the end of April in El Campo, CA and hiking until the end of September to complete the trail in Manning Park, British Columbia. 

As I have discovered, many backpackers, especially thru-hikers choose to hike “ultralite”. According to the prolite gear, ultralite is defined as backpacking with a base weight (the weight of your pack excluding food, fuel and water) under ten pounds. For many backpackers, obtaining ultralite status supersedes comfort on the trail.

Within minutes of meeting Evan, it became pretty clear that he considered himself “ultralite”. I enjoyed getting to learn about the ways in which Evan cut weight in his pack. Instead of the small 3oz pocket rocket backpacking stove I am using while I hike, Evan informed that he made a stove out of an empty can of catfood weighing in at less than 1oz! Rather than the bulky steripen water filtration system I hope to utilize on the trail, Evan plans to ‘purify’ his water with drops o’ bleach. While I plan to haul a phone, a camera AND and an ipod (not to mention a travel size ukulele and a portable sound system...yes this hike will involve music, dancing and random bouts of debauchery), Evan is bringing the ‘all purpose iphone’. Finally, in place of my heavy NorthFace backpack that I received as a Christmas present from my German grandmother before I hit puberty in 2003, Evan will carry what I can only imagine as being a VERY lightweight Ultralite Adventure Equipment backpack.

Evan has definitely outdone me in achieving the ultralite backpacker status. Nevertheless, I am quite proud of the fact that I managed to make a waterproof tyvek rain-jacket out of one of those sexy disposable hooded coveralls you see house painters wearing. I got the idea from the fabulous Education Coordinator at Nearby Nature (also a former thru-hiker). When purchasing the coveralls, the frazzled looking man at the paint supply store somehow knew that I was not using these to paint my house. He shot an annoyed glance in my direction and blurted out to another employee re-stalking shelves on the other end of the store, “ Gee, I have seen so many people like her come in here to buy those outfits for their goonie costumes”. Anyways, despite accidentally purchasing the uni-suit in size XXXL, I managed to create a lightweight jacket that should provide some rain protection! In case you are interested, I have included a link to the website that guided me through the process. Making a Tyvek Rainjacket!!

While Evan’s philosophy on the trail may be far removed from my own, I could tell by the hurried manner in which he talked that like me, Evan is as anxious to start this epic adventure as I am. Thirty-seven more days to enjoy my comfortable bed and regular showers (among many other things).

I leave you today, with a quote that I received in a birthday card from my friend and fellow backpacker Anna Hankins.

“Just as a white summer cloud, in harmony with heaven and earth freely floats on the blue sky from horizon to horizon following the breath of the atmosphere-in the same way the pilgrim abandons herself to the breath of the greater life that leads her beyond the farthest horizons to an aim which is already present within her though yet hidden from her sight” –Lama Govinda

Cheers my dears!

The Honey Bear

When I grow up.

I have spent the past few years trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. After graduating with a BA in Political Science and Public Health, I ended up ditching academia for a while and spent a good portion of the following year getting paid to clean toilets and hike around the San Bernardino National Forest with children. While this experience was far removed from my reality as a student, I definitely in no way had it “all figured out”. So, I ended up moving to Alaska for the summer to shuttle a random assortment of rowdy guests between our cute little lodge on the Kenai River, the Anchorage Airport and the liquor store.  Due to my inability to stop my hands from digging into the infamous ‘wall o’ snacks’ in our lounge, I left Alaska with a slew of pleasant memories and subcutaneous layer that would help me to surive the winter. Apparently I had taken after the eating practices of the brown bears who frequent the area.

Conversations, contemplation and inebriated decision-making allowed me more backpacking opportunities with my friends Javi and Chica Chiva and got me in a pickle when an un-castrated yak chased me through the Langtang Valley in North-central Nepal.

On January 10, 2012 as I unpacked my backpack one last time and apologized to our washing machine for putting in overtime to clean my filthy clothes that had already reeked of body odor more than two months ago, it suddenly dawned on me that somewhere during my adventures, I had made a commitment to myself and to my friend Adriana to hike the Pacific Crest Trail beginning at the Mexican border and ending Manning Park, British Columbia.

Despite interspersed periods of extreme boredom, spending three months in my hometown has given me time to enjoy the company of my wonderful and supportive family, and to figure what the heck I am doing come the anticipated start date of April 25th.

Life in Eugene is pleasant, but rather low-key: my main objective to keep my body and mind somewhat occupied with work and physical activity. After entertaining myself with youtube videos and facebook (essentially doing nothing productive) for close to a month, I landed myself a VERY part-time job at a restaurant that specializes in soup. My favorite soup is chicken mole. And yours? I divide the rest of my time between teaching small children about Pacific Tree Frogs, preparing for my role in the cast of the Vagina Monologues, and, of course dreaming, fantasizing, planning and talking about the Pacific Crest Trail.

There is much more I want to discuss: What gear I am bringing. What I will eat. The base weight of my pack. Trail terminology. The origin of my trail name (Honey Bear). My hope and fears for the trail. My hiking partner. SheJumps: the amazing organization I am raising funds for while hiking...just to name a few.

Please let me know what you want me to write about. I always appreciate input and hope that this setup will offer genuine interaction between myself and those accompany me on this epic adventure my reading this blog.

I leave you tonight with a poem written by Gary Snyder describing the austere beauty of the High Sierras (Thank-you Emilie Schur for sharing this with me).

Bedrock

Snowmelt pond    warm gentle

We make camp

no thought of finding more

and nap,

and leave our minds to the wind.

on the bedrock, gently tilting

sky and stone

teach me to be tender

the touch that nearly misses –

brush of glances-

tiny steps-

that finally cover worlds of hard terrain.

Cloud wisps and mists.

gathered into slate blue

bolts of summer rain.

Tea together in the starry purple eve.

New moon to set;

why does it take so long to learn to love,

we laugh and grieve.

Goodnight!